Urinary incontinence in dogs: Signs and treatment options

Urinary incontinence in dogs is the involuntary leakage of urine. Dogs with urinary incontinence aren’t aware they’re urinating or actively trying to urinate. Signs of urinary incontinence include finding wet spots in the dog’s bedding, consistently damp or matted fur, and excessive licking of the genitals. It’s important for dog owners to recognize the difference between urinary incontinence and other types of inappropriate urination. This article will discuss:

• What urinary incontinence is
• Symptoms of urinary incontinence in dogs
• Causes of urine leakage in dogs
• How urinary incontinence is diagnosed and treated in dogs

Common causes of a dog leaking urine include urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, urinary tract infections, and spinal injuries. An accurate diagnosis is crucial in deciding the most effective treatment option and involves tests such as urinalysis and urine cultures, diagnostic imaging, and bloodwork. Treatment for urinary incontinence will vary depending on the underlying cause.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary leakage of urine. This differs from other reasons a dog may urinate around the house because it occurs without control or awareness. A dog with UI will dribble urine or leak small amounts of urine without actively choosing to urinate.

UI in dogs is a common symptom of many different conditions that range from relatively mild to severe. Male and female dogs can be affected, but female dogs experience urinary incontinence more often than males. Depending on the underlying cause, UI may be accompanied by fecal incontinence, which is a dog’s inability to hold their bowels.

How is urinary incontinence different from house soiling?

House soiling occurs when a dog actively chooses to go to the bathroom in the home or in an inappropriate location. It may involve either urination, defecation, or both. This is common during housebreaking. Urinary incontinence, however, occurs without awareness, and the dog is not in control of their bladder or actively trying to urinate. Behavioral reasons for inappropriate urination, such as excitement, stress, territorial marking, or submissiveness, can be mistaken for UI or house soiling.

Signs that a dog is experiencing urinary incontinence may include:

• Dribbling urine while resting, sleeping, or walking
• Matted or wet patches of fur on the belly and groin
• Scalded or red skin where fur is constantly wet
• Finding small dribbles of urine around the home
• A general smell of urine on the dog and its surroundings
• Excessive licking of the genitals

UI is a symptom with many potential causes, so other symptoms may be associated with the underlying condition. Other symptoms may include:

• Straining to urinate due to bladder stones
• Urinating small amounts very frequently because of a UTI
• Increased thirst from diabetes mellitus
• Blood in the urine from a tumor, UTI, or clotting disorder
• Neurological symptoms from spinal cord disease or damage

It’s important to seek veterinary care if a dog is leaking urine. There’s likely an underlying medical issue that requires attention and treatment from a veterinarian. Without treating the underlying cause, urinary incontinence is unlikely to improve on its own and may get worse over time.

The involuntary leakage of urine in dogs has many underlying causes, including urinary conditions, diseases that cause excessive urine production, injuries, and anatomical abnormalities.

Urinary tract disease

Conditions that affect the urinary tract can lead to urine leakage in dogs. These conditions include:

• Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence
• Urinary tract infections
• Prostatic disease
• Urinary stones
• Urinary tract cancer
• Functional urethral obstruction

“Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) is the most common cause of UI in adult female dogs,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “With USMI, the muscles that control the ability to hold urine become weak and dysfunctional.” USMI can also affect male dogs, though it’s less common. The condition is associated with a decrease in estrogen levels in spayed females, especially in larger breeds. Testosterone hormone imbalances in males, aging, and obesity are other risk factors for USMI.

Conditions that affect urine production

There are many health conditions that lead to excessive drinking accompanied by increased urine production, contributing to UI. These conditions include:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
• Kidney disease
• Pyometra
• Cushing’s disease
• Addison’s disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes insipidus (water diabetes)

Endocrine disorders such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, and hypothyroidism commonly cause dogs to drink excessive amounts of water and subsequently produce large amounts of urine. Sometimes, this can lead to urinary incontinence.

Injuries, toxins, and anatomic abnormalities

Injuries, toxins, or anything that affects the structure and function of the urinary tract can lead to a dog’s inability to hold urine appropriately. Examples include:

• Ingestion of toxins, such as rat poison or pesticides
• Hernias
• Injuries to the abdomen or urinary tract
• Spinal injuries
• Ectopic ureters
• Narcolepsy (very rare)

Any damage to the abdomen or spine can lead to the urinary system’s inability to function properly. In addition, congenital defects, such as ectopic ureters, can lead to urine leakage.

A veterinarian may suspect UI based on your dog’s history and a physical exam. The underlying health issue causing the urine leakage usually requires diagnostic tests to identify. These tests may include:

• Urine tests, such as urinalysis and urine culture
• Blood tests
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds
• Neurological tests
• Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy allows a veterinarian to see the inside of the urethra and bladder by inserting a long, flexible tube with a small camera while the patient is under anesthesia. Other diagnostic testing is typically done before a cystoscopy is recommended.

Treating your dog’s urinary incontinence requires a definitive diagnosis. The underlying problem must be identified in order to determine effective treatment. A treatment plan for your dog may include:

• Oral medications for USMI
• Antibiotics for bladder infections
• Toxicity treatment
• Treating internal or spinal injuries
• Removing urinary stones
• Surgical correction of congenital abnormalities
• Specific treatment for endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or Addison’s disease
• Various other treatments for other underlying conditions

UI will not improve without treating its underlying cause. The prognosis and chance of curing your dog’s urinary incontinence varies between conditions.

If your dog is urinating around the house, first try to identify if the problem is urinary incontinence, behavioral, or due to potty training. When in doubt, talk to a veterinary professional for advice.

Urinary incontinence is generally not an emergency unless accompanied by other severe symptoms, such as collapse, seizures, or difficulty breathing, but it’s still important to talk to a veterinarian if you notice symptoms of urinary incontinence or any other changes to your dog’s physical or behavioral health. If your dog is having accidents or leaking urine at home, you can talk to a veterinarian in a virtual vet appointment for advice.

How do you fix urinary incontinence in dogs?

Urinary incontinence in dogs can be caused by a wide variety of medical issues with varying treatment options. In order to treat canine urinary incontinence, the underlying condition must be identified and treated appropriately. Treatment may include medical therapy, surgery, treating injuries, and toxicity treatment.

Why is my potty-trained puppy suddenly peeing in the house?

A potty-trained puppy may start peeing around the house for numerous reasons. Some of those reasons are behavioral, such as marking or submissive urination. Others are the result of a medical condition. The first step in determining why your potty-trained puppy is suddenly peeing around the house is observing whether they’re aware and actively urinating and if there are any other symptoms present, such as straining to urinate, frequently passing small amounts of urine, or bloody urine.

When should I take my dog to the vet for incontinence?

If a dog is experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian promptly. Incontinence in dogs is a symptom of other medical issues that will need to be diagnosed and treated appropriately. Treatment may involve medical therapy, surgery, treating toxin ingestion, and treating injuries.