If your dog starts having urinary accidents in the house, what is the first reason that comes to your mind?
Dogs don’t pee in the house because they are absentminded, don’t care, or are trying to get back at you for leaving them alone, losing their favorite toy, or not giving more treats. Dogs don’t like soiling their dens, and they don’t do it out of spite.
Don’t punish your dog for urinating indoors
Urinary accidents in housetrained dogs are signs of medical or behavioral problems. In either case, punishment is cruel and ineffective.
House-trained dogs will pee in the house because they:
- could not hold it any longer
- didn’t realize it was happening
- are scared
- are trying to appease you (submissive urination)
Submissive urination is not a health issue, but I felt I should include it here because it is essential to recognize it for what it is. Punishing it will only make matters worse.
Excessive drinking
Any condition causing excessive drinking (polydipsia) will result in lots and lots of urine.
This in itself can cause potty accidents in the house. In addition, because of the sheer volume, the dog will need to urinate more frequently and have an accident if they don’t get the opportunity.
Polydipsia and polyuria (producing lots and lots of pee) typically go hand in hand. Makes sense.
What goes in, must come out.
Polydipsia and polyuria can occur because the dog’s body is trying to flush something out of its system (infection, excess sugar, excess hormones, toxic substances, etc.), or the dog’s kidneys have lost the ability to conserve water.
Potential causes include:
- diabetes
- Cushing’s disease
- Addison’s disease
- liver or kidney disease
- urinary tract infections (UTI)
- some medications, such as steroids
A little note from my observation: Our guys love fresh snow. They love to run and play in it, and they love to eat as much of it as possible. And not long after, their bladders are ready to explode. I found it odd because snow doesn’t translate into a substantial volume of water. But I think it’s because it’s pure H2O with no minerals, no nothing. It just goes right through the system without any stops or delays. That’s the only way I can understand them having to pee so much after eating the snow.
And, yes, if Cookie is going to leak, she is most likely to do so on the day we get fresh snow.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Inflammation associated with urinary tract infections makes dogs feel like they have to pee ALL THE TIME.
I had a UTI once, and I can attest to that. It was a long time ago, and I still remember it. Taking a daily long bus trip to school (no toilet on the bus) was a living hell.
A dog with a UTI will most likely urinate frequently small amounts. There can also be blood in the urine. Accidents are likely to appear on the path to the door.
With some medical conditions, urination can be painful, and a dog will avoid urinating until they cannot hold it anymore.
Dogs suffering from obesity, arthritis, pain, stiffness, or neurological issues will sometimes alter their body posture, leading to urine retention and a predisposition towards UTIs. However, some infections do not cause symptoms, and regular urine checks are a good idea in these cases.
Jasmine got her first-ever UTI after her neck injury when her mobility was affected.
Straining to urinate
If your dog is straining to urinate and the urine stream looks thin or weak, see your vet as soon as possible.
Urinary tract obstruction is a medical emergency.
The cause can be stones in the urinary tract, injuries, tumors, or prostate disease (in male dogs).
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence, even though it can also be associated with a urinary tract infection, is often another issue altogether.
Genuine urinary incontinence is caused by dogs’ inability to prevent their bladder from leaking. This is most commonly caused by poor control of the sphincter leading out of the bladder.
Obesity is a common risk factor. In addition, spayed female dogs can develop urinary incontinence due to low estrogen levels, which weakens the sphincter muscle.
Other causes
Other causes include congenital abnormalities, neurological issues, spinal cord injuries, or degeneration.
Only after all of these medical problems have been ruled out can a dog’s “accidents” be blamed on a behavioral problem, most of which are associated with some form of anxiety or fear.
Punishment is never the answer to inappropriate peeing… your dog is either sick or scared.
Related articles:
My Dog’s Pee
Further reading:
Dog is Having Accidents in the House, But Why?