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It is very common for a golden oldie to start to urinate inside. For some, this is an action they have control over and for others it is an entirely involuntary event. We break down why your older dog is peeing in the house, and how to save your floors and furniture for good.
While we might expect a few slip ups from our puppies, having an older dog lapse in their potty training can be confusing and worrying. There are a number of reasons why an older dog could be peeing everywhere, and determining the root cause should hopefully lead to the solution. Let’s take a closer look at why this happens and what can be done.
There are three main categories to consider when you have a senior dog urinating in the house.
Sadly, as a dog gets older, it is not uncommon for them to develop medical conditions. Many of these conditions will affect their toileting habits. We examine this in more depth under the next section of this article.
As dogs age, the majority of them will develop some degree of mobility issues and stiffness. Indeed, osteoarthritis affects an estimated 80% of dogs over the age of 8. As it becomes harder to squat (female) or cock a leg (male), you may start to notice changes in how and where your dog passes urine.
At any age, stresses or changes in the environment can affect things like toilet training and general behavior. As an example, a new puppy in the home could lead to territorial marking with urine, especially if the puppy is peeing inside too. Being left alone for longer periods can lead to anxiety, or may be too much for their bladder to handle.
More so than ever, keeping a consistent routine and schedule is important as a dog enters their senior years. At this age, they can struggle to cope with any major changes.
There are a wide range of medical issues that cause an old dog to pee in the house; many of which cause excessive thirst and a need to pass much more urine than normal.
Chronic kidney disease means the kidneys can no longer concentrate the urine effectively, leading to increased urination and a much higher thirst. As these dogs have to pass so much urine so often, accidents are commonplace.
The excess cortisol produced in dogs with this hormonal disorder causes dogs to pass more urine. Additional signs include panting, muscle wastage, skin infections, and excess hunger.
Another hormonal disorder that is seen in this group of dogs is diabetes mellitus. The high sugar levels in the blood make the dogs pass more urine and they are much thirstier. Though these dogs eat a lot, they often lose weight quickly.
UTIs are frequently seen in this demographic as they are generally seen in dogs with hormonal disorders or bladder stones. The owner may notice that the urine is cloudy, smelly, or bloody. These dogs feel the need to pass urine regularly and can find it much harder to hold their urine.
Canine dementia (Cognitive Dysfunction) presents in varied ways and affects every dog differently. Dogs are not always fully aware of their surroundings and what they are doing. You may notice them staring into space, pacing restlessly, or having trouble sleeping. Dogs might forget they are inside, or simply forget their toilet training.
If something is pressing on the spinal cord or the spinal cord is not functioning as it should, this can lead to urinary incontinence. Some causes include IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), tumors or pug myelopathy. Dogs typically show additional signs such as limb dragging or back pain.
A growth or stone in the urinary system (such as in the kidney or bladder) may lead to changes in urination habits and indoor toileting.They can irritate or even block the urinary tract and can lead to urine dripping and an urgency when it comes to passing urine.
In older females in particular, a common cause of urinary incontinence is hormone-related. This is usually seen in those who were spayed in their first years of life. Females are not in control of the urine being passed and may wake up in a puddle or walk with urine dribbling out.
As daunting as this can be to address and manage, by following these steps you can hopefully have a solid plan of action.
The first order of the day is to organise a veterinary check. Getting a diagnosis and professional treatment plan is vital. This is usually going to include a physical exam, urine analysis and perhaps some further tests such as a urine culture, ultrasound of the urinary tract, or a CT scan of the spine.
In some cases, your vet may suggest a medical trial to see if the medicine has the desired effect. The aim is always going to be that the dog stops toileting inside, although in certain cases- such as cognitive decline- this goal may not be achieved.
Whether your dog’s issue is temporary or permanent, you are likely to benefit from some products to help you through.
Doggy Diapers can be particularly useful for females who are incontinent and constantly dribbling urine. However, owners need to be on top of diaper changes, to prevent skin infections and urine scalding.
Puppy pads can save your floors, especially if you are unable to bring your dog out to the toilet as regularly as they now need. Potty Buddy reusable pads are effective at soaking in urine and can help eliminate that ammonia odor from the home.
Enzymatic Sprays are the product of choice when it comes to cleaning up the urine messes. They biologically eliminate the bad smell, rather than just masking it like other products.
Dog Shampoo is a must for dogs that have urine regularly in contact with their skin, to prevent urine scald and chronic infections. It is important not to use a human shampoo during bath time, as dogs have a different pH to us, and this can cause dry and irritated skin.
Prescribed Diets such as urinary or renal diets are going to be needed by some. Typically, if your vet has suggested a diet, it should be fed exclusively in order for it to have full effect.
Medication will, of course, be the cornerstone of treatment for many dogs. As an example, female hormone-related incontinence is treated using phenylpropanolamine, while a urinary infection should respond to antibiotics.
Surgery might be the recommended therapy for a smaller number of dogs. This can be the case, for example, if a dog has a badly slipped disc or bladder stones that do not respond to dietary changes.
Follow this advice to try and minimise accidents from happening.
Scheduled bathroom breaks. Older dogs like to know what to expect and they tend to rely on a routine that is predictable. If they are always let outside at 7a.m. but are not let out until 10a.m. one morning because you have a lie in, do not be surprised to find a puddle inside!
Modifying the home environment. This can mean the use of things like ramps and non-slip mats, so your home is easier to navigate. It is especially important that any doggy doors are accessible and do not require your elderly dog to shift into odd or uncomfortable positions.
Vet visits. Your senior should be seeing their vet at least every 6 months- more often if they’ve got a known medical issue. This allows for new issues to be detected early and for ongoing problems to be managed properly.
Consider dog diapers or training pads. Though perhaps not a permanent answer, don’t shy away from using products to keep your home hygienic.
Stiff joints and arthritis can make it difficult for your dog to comfortably make it out to the bathroom.
Ensure you are providing your pet with cosy and quiet sleeping spots, using orthopedic beds and cosy blankets as necessary.
For those with diagnosed arthritis, they are likely to benefit from joint supplements and daily pain relief and anti-inflammatories prescribed by a vet. These medicines can be truly life changing; greatly increasing both quantity and quality of life.
Do all you can to prevent obesity, as slim dogs cope much better with joint disease. This can mean offering a low calorie dog food and providing less treats and chews.
Don’t despair if your old dog is peeing in the house. Though it can be challenging, you are not alone and there are many avenues to try. Be sure to contact your vet for support, and to set the home up for success.
Your dog can continue to live a long and happy life with the right support system in place, and for some dogs, the issue may even be reversible.
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