When dogs leak urine, it is usually due to a weak bladder or a urinary tract infection. In individual cases, hormonal disorders, prostate problems, nerve disorders or even other illnesses can also be behind it.
To narrow down the possible causes, the following questions can help:
- Does incontinence only occur in certain situations?
- Is the dog awake or asleep while leaking urine?
- Is he doing it on purpose or is he simply unable to do it?
- Has the amount the dog drinks changed? [1]
In addition, some causes occur more or less frequently depending on age. Here is a brief overview:
Dog's age Most common cause Strong emotions, ectopic ureter 2-8 years Hormone disorder, urinary tract infection, nerve disorder > 8 years Bladder weakness, abnormal drinking
Gender can also be an indication. For example, female dogs are more likely to get urinary tract infections and castration-related hormonal disorders. [2]
Incidentally, a combination of several causes can also be the reason for losing urine. Below you will learn about the 9 most common triggers.
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#1 Urinary tract infection
The urinary tract are the vessels that carry urine from the kidneys to the outside. These include the urethra, bladder, renal pelvis and ureters.
However, if bacteria get into this area and multiply there, the urinary tract can become inflamed. This happens more often in female dogs.
According to studies, it is also one of the most common diseases in dogs. Affected dogs not only lose urine, but also usually show other symptoms:
- Whining when peeing
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Constant licking in the genital area
- Stinky urine
- Unusually frequent urge to urinate
- Dog drinks a lot
- Lack of motivation [3]
In most cases, a buildup of bacteria is responsible. More rarely, other illnesses or injuries can also be behind it.
As a rule, taking antibiotics and increasing the amount of water you drink are sufficient for treatment. The inflammation should subside within a few days. [4]
A urinary tract infection can cause dogs to leak urine both during the day and while sleeping. In most cases, it can be recognized by the fact that the affected dog suddenly has to go out all the time and generally licks its intimate area very often.
#2 Bladder weakness
The dog's bladder has an internal and an external sphincter. When fully functional, they ensure that urine only comes out when you pee.
The problem? As dogs age, these muscles become increasingly weaker and the controlling nerve pathways become increasingly unreliable. [5]
In practice, this leads to housetrained four-legged friends suddenly going back into the house and losing urine even while sleeping. Other typical symptoms are:
- Dog constantly licks private parts
- Leaving traces of urine after walking the dog
- Dog pees in the basket
- Wet fur in the genital area [6]
In most cases, medication can help against such old age weakness. Reusable dog diapers are also an option in such a case.
Nevertheless, a veterinarian should be consulted for diagnosis in order to rule out any other illnesses. There you will also receive individual recommendations.
Older dogs aged 10 and over are more likely to struggle with a weak bladder, which means they lose urine in everyday life. Here the sphincters and nerve pathways are simply no longer fully efficient in order to be able to hold in the urine.
#3 Blockage of the urethra
Compared to female dogs, male dogs have a significantly longer urethra. Blockages are therefore more common in male four-legged friends. Typical causes here are:
- Bladder stones
- Scar tissue
- Tumor disease
- Prostate diseases
- Injuries [7]
In practice, such a blockage results in the dog either not being able to empty its bladder at all or only partially when peeing.
Over time, however, the pressure becomes so great that the dog loses urine even in everyday life. In this case there is usually pain. Other typical symptoms are:
- Blood in urine
- Loss of appetite
- Dog takes a long time to pee
- Low amount of urine
- Whieking when peeing
- Drips instead of a stream of urine
- Lack of motivation [8]
If the dog cannot dispose of the harmful substances contained in the urine, a blockage can also be life-threatening. The treatment here depends on the cause.
In the case of bladder stones, the vet usually tries to flush the stones back into the bladder. In more severe cases, some of them may have to be removed surgically. [9]
If the urethra is partially or completely blocked, increasing pressure builds up in the bladder. Often the pressure becomes so great at some point that the dog accidentally loses urine. This can usually be recognized by a small amount of urine when peeing.
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#4 Hormone disorder
During castration, the testicles of male dogs and the ovaries of female dogs are removed. This makes reproduction impossible. The problem?
The female sex hormone “estrogen”, among other things, is produced in the ovaries and testes. So the production facility is literally removed from it.
Unfortunately, this hormone is also responsible for controlling the sphincter of the urethra. Around 5-30% of bitches are said to become incontinent as a result. [10]
Large breeds are most commonly affected. Incidentally, the problems usually only appear 3 years after castration. It also occurs in male dogs, but less frequently.
This is because in male dogs only around ⅕ of estrogen is produced in the testicles. Unfortunately, there is no long-term cure for this. [11]
Because once the ovaries and testicles are removed, you can't just add them back. However, the hormonal disorder can be treated with medication.
As a result of castration, up to 30% of all female dogs suffer from hormone-related incontinence. Male dogs are also sometimes affected. Although there is no cure for this, estrogen deficiency can be treated with medication.
#5 Strong emotions
Young dogs in particular often cannot hold their bladder when they are happy, excited or even feel fear and stress.
In practice, this means that dogs often pee when in contact with strangers, strange dogs, in unfamiliar situations or when greeting someone.
A “submissive pee” often occurs because the dog has not yet been sufficiently socialized. This is particularly common in dogs under the age of 12 weeks. [12]
This should stop from the 30th week of life at the latest. The same applies to the “welcome pee”. Stress and anxiety, on the other hand, are less age-related.
Because a “fearful pee” can also cause adult dogs to lose urine. Typical triggers for this are:
- Severe storms
- loneliness
- Violent upbringing
- presence of strangers [13]
Negative emotions can usually be recognized by the fact that the dog has its tail tucked in, its ears are flat, its posture is hunched over and it avoids eye contact.
Both positive and negative emotions can cause dogs to leak urine in everyday situations. In young dogs it is usually triggered by strong joy or submissiveness; in old four-legged friends, fear is the most common cause.
#6 Nerve disorder
In healthy dogs, the sphincter muscles on the bladder ensure that urine only comes out when they pee. However, nerve disorders can prevent this.
It is most often caused by illnesses or injuries to the spine. But damage to the nerves themselves or in the brain can also be behind it. [14]
Depending on the location and severity, the symptoms of nerve disorders can vary greatly. Classic examples are here:
- Unusual gait
- Sudden incontinence
- Dog holds his head to the side
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors [15]
If the problems occur suddenly, it is usually due to injuries. Diseases, on the other hand, are usually responsible for gradual progression.
In all cases you should visit the vet here. Curability depends primarily on the underlying cause. However, treatment is almost always possible.
Malfunctions of nerves, injuries to the nerve pathways in the spinal cord or even diseases in the brain can affect urination. Among other things, it can be recognized by the fact that dogs suddenly lose urine, walk strangely or start shaking.
#7 Ectopic ureter
If the dog's ureter does not open in the correct place at birth, then doctors speak of an “ectopic ureter”.
This congenital anomaly often causes the ureter to be behind the sphincter and the dog cannot hold its pee.
Because young puppies are not initially housebroken, it often only becomes noticeable after a few months. Typical symptoms of this are:
- Puppy will never be house trained
- Frequent licking of the genital area
- Dog constantly leaks urine
- Discolored fur in the intimate area
- Recurrent urinary tract infection [16]
Female dogs are generally affected by this much more often than male dogs. In addition, according to statistics, this anomaly occurs most often in the following breeds:
- Siberian Husky
- Fox Terrier
- Labrador retrievers
- West Highland White Terrier
- Toy Poodle
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Border collie [17]
For treatment, the ureter is relocated to the correct location through surgery or laser treatment. This should also make all symptoms disappear.
If the ureter does not open in the correct place due to a congenital anomaly, this can, among other things, result in dogs constantly leaking urine. Female Siberian Huskies, Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies are most commonly affected.
#8 Prostate problems
The prostate is primarily responsible for the formation of ejaculate and hormone metabolism. Only male dogs have a prostate.
Since it also opens into the urethra, it can also influence peeing. The most common prostate problems include:
- Inflammation of the prostate
- Benign prostate enlargement
- Prostate cancer
- Cyst on the prostate [18]
When the prostate swells, it usually presses against the urethra and makes peeing uncomfortable for your four-legged friend. Other typical symptoms include:
- Dog takes a long time to pee
- Problems with bowel movements
- Dog loses…