Urinary incontinence in dogs

Moving into the later chapters of life can bring significant changes for dogs, and a common one is the onset of canine incontinence. While incontinence in older dogs can be frustrating, understanding the causes and working with your veterinarian to find proactive solutions will help you to navigate the issue with the care and compassion your devoted companion deserves.

If your older dog becomes incontinent, their urination frequency changes; they might not recognise when they are urinating; and they may leave trails of urine on the floor or pools of urine in spots where they rest.

If you see any of these signs, remember: your dog isn’t doing it on purpose, so there’s no need to tell them off. It’s simply that there’s been a change in their bodily functions.

Urinary incontinence shouldn’t be painful, but painful conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs)and arthritis can contribute.

What causes canine incontinence?

Just as with humans, as your dog's body ages, it can become less effective at certain jobs. The muscles weaken, and nerve control over different parts of the body can decrease. Simply put, ageing is one of the major causes of dog incontinence - resulting in a lack of control over the muscles around the urinary system.

Get ahead of any potential canine incontinence problems by knowing if your dog may be more at risk than others.

Female dog incontinence

Dog bladder control issues are much more common in females than in males. Some larger breeds also have a predisposition to this condition. This includes Boxers, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and German Shepherds¹.

Incontinence in spayed female dogs is also more likely than in unspayed females, with 30% of spayed female dogs weighing over 20 Kilograms developing the condition¹. Obesity may also increase the risk of incontinence – again, particularly for neutered females – highlighting how much you can do for your dog’s health by keeping them at their ideal weight.
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Health issues and dog incontinence

Underlying health issues can also cause incontinence in dogs, or they can make it worse. These include UTIs, bladder stones (urolithiasis), and conditions that cause dogs to drink and urinate more, such as diabetes mellitus and kidney disease.

Although these conditions don’t directly cause incontinence, they can trigger signs in dogs with underlying bladder-control issues that were previously too mild to notice.
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Incontinence treatment for dogs

As always, keep your eyes open for any changes in your dog’s urination habits. If you spot any, it’s important to take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible to rule out any underlying health problems and discuss how your dog’s incontinence can be treated.

Depending on the cause of their incontinence, your veterinarian could suggest a few different ways to ease your dog’s clinical signs:

• If  the issue is urinary muscle weakness, your veterinarian may prescribe certain dog incontinence medications. These can help to improve the communication between your dog’s nerves and bladder muscles, giving them more control of their urination. These types of medications are effective in around 75%-90% of cases².
• If your dog has an underlying problem which is contributing to their incontinence, your veterinarian may suggest treatment ranging from surgery to remove any stones to antibiotics for infections. They may also recommend a balanced nutrition plan as part of your dog’s general health care.
• If there is a more systemic medical issue that is causing your dog’s incontinence, your veterinarian may suggest focusing on this first. Sometimes, incontinence can be resolved if the underlying issue is treated. For example, controlling diabetes can help reduce how much urine your dog produces, which may stop them showing signs of incontinence. If it doesn’t get better, your veterinarian can discuss additional treatments.

Don’t be too frustrated if your dog shows signs of urination-control issues. Whether the cause is an infection, an underlying health issue, or simply age-related muscle weakness, your veterinarian can advise you on the best course of action. With the right treatment, dogs with urinary incontinence can continue to live a comfortable and healthy life.