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Clearing up pee puddles comes with the territory of being a pet parent, and sometimes you may find your dog has left a little accident in their own bed. If you're wondering "why does my dog pee in his bed?" then you're in the right place.
There are several reasons why your dog might be urinating in their own bed, from the early days of potty training, to more severe causes such as anxiety or illness; as a dog owner it is important to keep an eye on your pup’s peeing behaviors to identify any underlying issues.
We are going to take you through some of the reasons why your dog might be peeing on their own bed, what you as a pet parent can do to intervene and make sure your dog stays clean and comfortable.
Some of the reasons why dogs may pee in their bed vary, depending on whether your dog is asleep or awake.
Reasons why they may pee on their bed when awake include:
One of the most common reasons why a puppy might pee in his bed is that young dogs are still learning where they can and can’t go to the toilet, meaning they may get confused or caught short.
By implementing a consistent potty training routine this should be easily rectified, however you may want to seek professional help should the issue persist into adulthood.
A dog peeing on their bed can be a sign of doggy distress. Whether something inside the home has upset them or an outside stimulus, sudden in-home urination can often be a sign that your dog is stressed or anxious.
A change in routine, new smells, loud noises or different people coming into the home can all contribute to your dog signaling a stress response. A dog urinating in their own bed can also be a sign of submission, meaning they are feeling uneasy and enter a submissive state in order to keep themselves safe.
Often seen in abused or traumatized dogs, even when placed in loving homes our pups can be triggered by certain things that remind them of their past experiences. Looking out for and identifying your dog’s triggers, to better manage or prevent them, will help keep in-home peeing at bay.
Our pets are very sensitive to new environments. So scent marking or stress-peeing on the bed can be very common if you have just moved house or are traveling with your dog.
Also if you have other animals in the house or new people have come over and perhaps carry the scent of their own pets, these can all lead a dog to feel the need to mark their territory. Dogs do this as a way of owning their environment, making them feel safe.
A sudden increase in urination frequency or urgency can be a sign of an underlying health condition or illness in your pup. For example, it may indicate incontinence issues, kidney problems, urinary issues or a UTI.
If you are in any doubt about your dog’s health and wellbeing, always seek medical advice from your vet.
Conversely, reasons why your dog may pee on his bed when asleep include:
This is one of the main reasons why a dog may pee on their bed when they sleeping, Especially if you have a more mature canine, they may have weakened bladder muscles - which in turn lead to lesser bladder control. Additionally, other conditions such as hormonal imbalances or neurological issues can all add up to incontinence, leading to involuntary elimination as your pup snoozes.
We've all heard of urinary tract infections (also referred to as UTIs), but did you know that having a UTI can cause an increased urgency to urinate and discomfort? So you can see why this might then result in accidents for your pup when they sleep. Even when experiencing this discomfort, your dog may not fully wake up; in fact, the pain itself can lead to your pup's unintentional urination.
If your dog is having more potty accidents around the house or needs to urinate more frequently - even peeing when asleep - this can be a sign they're suffering from bladder stones. Similar to UTIs, bladder stones can cause your pupper discomfort and make it difficult for them to hold their bladder, even when they're snoozing.
Certain medications can affect a dog's bladder control or increase their need to go potty. If this is the case for your pooch, this may be why your pupper is experiencing nighttime accidents. We should stress that if your dog is peeing in their bed due to medications, we wouldn't recommend taking your pup off their treatment plan. Instead, consult with your local veterinarian to see if anything can be done to better manage this side-effect.
Unwanted urination can be frustrating for both you and your pup. Here are a few suggestions as to how you can stop your dog peeing on his own bed:
To rule out any underlying health issues, you'd best schedule an appointment with a trusted, local veterinarian to consult on your concerns and perform a general health-check. They can then advise on what is causing your dog to pee on their bed, and suggest tailored solutions.
It's possible that your dog is peeing on their bed because they haven't been fully house trained. Whether your dog is still a puppy, grown up with undesirable habits, or a rescue dog with an unclear history, you can go back to the beginning and start afresh with your dog's potty training.
Consider starting again from the very basics, treating your dog like a puppy in house training - whatever their age.
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By using a stain and odor remover, this will help to "erase" the scent of previous accidents, which in turn will help to remove scent cues that might prompt dogs to re-mark their bed. Overall, the effect should be to help discourage them to pee on their bed again and also support you in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of their sleep space.
Unwanted urination is very often a display of anxious or submissive behavior. By creating a calm and comforting space for your dog to sleep in, it can put them at ease and make them realize that their bed is a safe sleep space rather than a place to pee.
When training or retraining your dog, be sure to differentiate clearly between where they sleep and where they pee. Keeping indoor puppy pads far away from their sleep space will help them realize that the two are separate.
If you're searching for a practical solution for preventing your dog from peeing on their bed, even when you're not able to keep an eye on them, consider a reusable dog diaper.
Whether your dog is young or old, male or female, these diapers provide uber absorbent comfort while aiding in toilet training reinforcement, whilst also protecting against any potty accidents - if they're asleep or awake.
The Potty Buddy™ Waterproof Blanket is specially designed to be super comfortable, while also protecting your furniture from your pet. The proprietary Moisture Guard absorbs and traps anything your pet can throw at it, from pee to dirt.
It's made from safe, non-toxic fabrics suitable for both pets and humans. This makes it perfect for use on sofas, beds, crates, kennels and everywhere in between!
With the Potty Buddy™ Waterproof Blanket you can protect your home against smelly accidents and stains, specifically created for:
Messy pets
Sick, incontinent and old pets
Pets in potty training
And anyone who wants a super cozy blanket to relax on!
When dirty, simply machine wash and reuse it time and time again.
With a fluffy Sherpa fabric on one side and velvety fleece on the other, this blanket will keep your pet warm, snuggly and relaxed year-round. It's a special space for them to feel secure and restful.
It's ideal for everyday use too, so whether you’re looking for a comfy blanket for Fido or for yourself - both pet and parent alike can enjoy it.
Let’s go over the key takeaways to help avoid puppy pee in unwanted places:
Identify the issue - Identifying the reason why your dog is peeing in their bed is step one. Ruling out any illness or underlying health conditions is a must - once this is done you can start looking at the deeper root causes for your dog’s behavior.
Making a calm and comfortable space for your dog - Dogs are extremely sensitive to stress and changes in their environment, so it is important to make sure they feel safe and calm at home.
If your dog’s peeing behaviors are linked to trauma or anxiety - look into ways to create a calmer environment for them. Whether this be pet-safe pheromone plug-ins, calming treats, soothing sounds or cozy corners for them to snuggle in. Lots of cuddles and reassurance will never go amiss!
Dogs react to positivity - Whether through verbal commands, cuddles or treats, positive reinforcement is the most effective method to train your pupper. When your dog goes potty in the place you want them to, make sure to reward your pooch. This will help to cement their understanding that you "want" this behavior, encouraging and reinforcing their decision to follow this pattern. Basically, your doggo will master this behavior much quicker when they understand what you want from them.
Be gentle - Disregard any advice that tells you to dominate or scold your dog in order to get good behavior. In fact, it's the opposite; our pooches are much more likely to respond to gentle encouragement, positive reinforcement and praise than they are shouting, scream or barked orders. In fact, being aggressive in your attitude will only be detrimental. The only way to successfully train your pup is ensuring they feel safe, loved and supported.
By following these handy tips and tricks, you’ll help your pup kick their bed-wetting habit in no time!
If you're one of the pet parents who's pulling their hair out because of dogs peeing in her beds, then just know that there are practical, implementable solutions you can utilize to help your dog's comfort and house training.
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