Urinary Incontinence in Dogs [Managing Your Dog's Urinary Issues]

If you notice your dog urinating inside when they are already potty-trained, they may be experiencing dog incontinence. There are many reasons for urinary incontinence in dogs. As pet parents, we must figure out if our furry friends are suffering from urinary incontinence in the first place.

 

To better understand dog incontinence, we need to look at some signs and symptoms to watch out for. Come with us as we examine this issue further. We'll also reveal several natural remedies to help your pup's leaky problem. Finally, we'll tell you all about our convenient all-in-one wellness solution to dog incontinence and why HolistaPet has your dog's needs covered! Keep reading to learn more about dog incontinence and how you can help your pup keep their pee troubles at bay.

 

 

What is Dog Incontinence? 

Dog incontinence is when your dog involuntarily loses control of their bladder. This is a separate issue from behavior-related urination problems. An underlying medical condition usually causes incontinence in dogs. Since dogs aren't aware that they might be experiencing urinary incontinence, owners need to be attentive and recognize signs of potential incontinence.

 

Related Post: Urinary and Bladder Problems in Dogs

 

Causes Of Urinary Incontinence In Dogs 

 

There are many causes of urinary incontinence in dogs. These conditions can be genetic, while others are related to age-related issues. The most common causes of incontinence in dogs are:

 

• Urinary tract infection (UTI) or any condition that puts pressure on the bladder.
• Anatomic abnormalities such as disabilities, injuries, or surgeries that affect normal bladder function
• Weak Urethral Sphincter that leads to a sudden urge to urinate.
• Urethral disorders are where the muscles of the urethra don't contract tightly enough, causing urine leakage.
• Urinary stones, which are hard masses of minerals that make urination painful
• Constipation, which makes it hard for your dog to defecate.
• Hormonal imbalances that can occur with age, certain health conditions, or medications. 
• Certain medications, such as corticosteroids. It's important to consult your vet to determine if your dog's medications are the reason for incontinence.
• Prostate disorders, which place pressure on the bladder.
• Conditions that cause excessive water drinking, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
• Specific dog breeds are more predisposed to developing from incontinence.

 

 

Symptoms Of Urine Incontinence In Dogs

There are some telltale signs that your dog may be incontinent, with the most visible one being dribbling urine. This is especially true when your dog is indoors. If your dog is already potty-trained and usually goes to pee outside, they may have accidents inside. If you notice wet spots indoors, it may be a sign that your dog is having urinary troubles. 

 

Another primary symptom of incontinence in dogs is excessive licking of their genitals. If you notice this alongside the above symptoms, we advise taking your dog to the vet for a check-up. It is also advisable to keep an eye on your dog's water intake. Monitor their bowl to determine how much water they drink a day. This will help you determine if your pup drinks more water than usual, which can lead to incontinence. 

 

 

Management of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

To safely manage urinary incontinence in dogs, ask your vet to perform some routine tests for your pup. This helps rule out potential medical issues such as diabetes or bladder infections. Your vet may prescribe specific medications to help. 

 

But there are some simple steps we dog parents can take to relieve our pup's discomfort:

 

• Use puppy pads or doggy diapers to manage accidents. While your dog has incontinence, using toilet training tools such as puppy pads and doggy diapers will save you from cleaning up after your pup all day.
• Give your dog natural supplements to support urinary health. These supplements typically contain several natural ingredients to minimize the symptoms of dog incontinence.
• Maintain your dog's hygiene. Keeping your dog's genitals clean when experiencing incontinence reduces their chances of getting a skin infection from spilled urine.
• Entertain your pup outdoors. Using exercise and interactive toys to keep your dog busy outdoors may relieve their urge to urinate while inside.

 

 

Types of Dogs More Likely To Have Urinary Incontinence

Certain breeds experience incontinence more commonly than others. Here are some breeds that are typically more susceptible to urinary incontinence:

 

• German Shepherds
• Rottweilers
• English Springer spaniels
• Doberman pinschers
• Weimaraners
• Old English sheepdogs
• Dalmatians
• Bearded Collies and Collies
• Boxers

 

Did you see your dog on the list? If you didn't, that doesn't mean they're in the clear. Remember, the breed is one factor in your dog's urinary troubles. 

 

Female vs. Male Incontinence in Dogs

Since female and male dogs urinate differently, the way that incontinence affects them is slightly different too. For example, spayed female dogs typically have more issues with incontinence than neutered males. This is usually due to the changes in hormone levels from the surgery. 

 

Female dogs also have a shorter urinary tract than males. This anatomical difference is why female dogs suffer from incontinence more than males. But both male and female dogs can develop weaker pelvic muscles as they age, which can lead to incontinence.

 

 

What Are The Best Natural Remedies for Urine Incontinence In Dogs? 

The best natural remedies to treat urinary incontinence are wellness products containing ingredients that can soothe the discomfort caused by dog incontinence. 

 

Some natural ingredients that can help manage the symptoms of urinary incontinence in dogs include:

 

• Cranberry Extract. Commonly used as a natural way to tackle bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections. 
• Cornsilk Extract. A natural herbal diuretic that helps kidneys produce more urine to get rid of extra fluid.
• Dandelion Extract: A natural diuretic made from dandelion flowers.
• D-mannose. Found in cranberries, this compound prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.
• Methionine. Helps reduce the acidity of urine. This, in turn, lessens the chance of re-infection. 
• Nettle Extract: A natural compound taken from nettle leaf. This extract can help reduce the length and severity of incontinence. 

 

All these diuretic compounds help to flush out the urinary tract, reducing the chances of urinary or bladder infections. They are also useful for helping pets pee when they are having issues with urinating or using the bathroom. When combined, these ingredients provide your pup with the support they need to counter their messy problem. 

 

 

How Can HolistaPet Urinary + Bladder Support Soft Chews Help With Dog Incontinence? 

 

At HolistaPet, we offer natural solutions to all your pet's health and wellness needs. That includes dog incontinence. Our Urinary + Bladder Support Soft Chews are the perfect addition to your dog's wellness routine. They're made with naturally derived ingredients to help keep your pup peeing normally and support a healthy bladder preventing bladder infection.

 

Our soft-baked treats contain all the beneficial ingredients we told you to look for in the previous section and more! Here's what you'll find in our Urinary + Bladder Support Soft Chews For Dogs:

 

• Cranberry Extract/Seed Oil
• D-mannose
• Ascorbic Acid
• Cornsilk Extract
• Dandelion Extract
• Nettle Extract
• Methionine
• And plenty more naturally derived ingredients!

 

You can rest assured that you're giving your dog the best nature has to offer when shopping with us. That's why we go to great lengths to verify the purity and potency of our products. We have third-party labs determine if they're as potent as we say they are. These labs issue their results in a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which consumers can view for themselves! Alongside our soft chews, you can explore a whole range of products created by a team of pet lovers designed to give our beloved buddies the best quality of life we can.

 

 

Final Thoughts — Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

While urinary incontinence can be distressing for dogs, their owners can readily manage it with vet-prescribed medication and natural supplements that support a healthy bladder. Taking your dog outside as much as possible will give them opportunities to pee outdoors, and using puppy pads and doggy diapers can help them stay accident-free indoors. 

 

In most cases, dogs urinary incontinence is usually temporary and can be cleared up quickly using some or all of the suggestions above. As with any issue concerning our precious pups, it is very important to be attentive and act swiftly to prevent their discomfort from getting any worse or becoming infected. Keep an eye on any changes in your dog's bathroom behaviors and take notes on what you see so that if you need to visit the vet, you have information to help them diagnose your dog.