Dogs have to do their business every day and have to go outside to do it. But it can also happen that a deal is made lying down.
In short: The dog loses urine while lying down. Is this still normal or do you need to worry?
The following guide will tell you exactly why a dog can lose urine while lying down.
In a nutshell: Why does my dog lose urine when lying down?
A dog that urinates while lying down is usually the cause already around a senior who suffers from age-related incontinence suffers.
But younger dogs can also leak urine when lying down, for example if there is a malposition of the ureter, which is the case in a good 55% of dogs.
The dog loses urine while lying down? Then organic diseases such as renal insufficiency can also be the reason.
In addition, this form of incontinence can be a result of castration.
Bladder stones, prostate problems and anxiety disorders can also cause a dog to urinate when lying down.
Dog loses urine lying down – is it incontinent?
If your dog loses urine while lying down, it is called incontinence. Because that’s what you understand a bladder control disorder.
In the case of incontinence, the urine is no longer passed during a normal visit to the toilet – for example when walking the dog – but voluntarily, for example while lying down.
Dog loses urine while lying down – 6 causes
Does your dog lose urine while lying down? Then you can next age stress, organic or neurological diseases and castration be the cause.
We will now take a look at exactly why this is the case and what other causes can lead to this incontinence.
Old
With increasing age, important bodily functions decrease a little and the connective tissue also weakens.
Especially when an old dog is sleeping, it can happen that it urinates while lying down.
Anxiety Disorders/Stress
Stress and the resulting anxiety disorders are another reason why a dog urinates when lying down.
His nerves are tense, the arbitrary dropping of pee drops is an attempt to relieve this tension.
Here it can happen that the loss of urine does not only take place while lying down.
Please watch your dog closely and look out for other possible symptoms, such as restlessness.
neurological diseases
Neurological diseases include dementia, which again mainly affects old dogs.
Unfortunately, this illness means that many things are forgotten or not done the way they were before the illness.
A dog that urinates while lying down may be doing so as a result of dementia.
Both because he doesn’t know any better and because this disease may frighten him.
organic diseases
If a dog loses urine while lying down, kidney problems or diabetes mellitus can be the cause.
Especially with the beginning or already advanced kidney insufficiency, it is a side effect that the dog tries to urinate more, even when lying down.
Diabetes can also cause it and is common in older dogs as well as those who are overweight.
urinary tract diseases
Urinary tract disorders that can cause a dog to urinate while lying down include cystitis and bladder stones, among others.
In the case of a bladder infection, there are other symptoms, such as fever, fatigue and blood in the urine.
In addition, the dog suffers from pain when it urinates.
Already knew?
Bladder stones or crystals can be a result of drinking the wrong water if it has the wrong pH for the dog.
castration
Castration, especially in older bitches, causes them to lose urine when lying down.
The reason is, among other things, that the ureter is shorter than in males anyway. In addition, bitches no longer produce estrogen due to the missing ovaries.
This deficiency leads to a weakening of the sphincter and connective tissue, which in turn can result in urine being lost when lying down.
Is it normal for older dogs to urinate when lying down?
It is normal for older dogs to urinate when lying down. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that in old age the body functions no longer run as smoothly as in young dogs.
In addition, older dogs in particular can also suffer from dementia, which can also contribute to the elderly then losing urine when lying down – especially when sleeping.
Nevertheless, it makes sense to have the exact cause clarified by the veterinarian, because organic diseases can also be the trigger, especially in older dogs.
Should I go to the vet immediately if my dog is leaking urine while lying down?
Whether you should go to the vet immediately if your dog urinates while lying down, depends on the overall condition of your dog.
So you have to first of all pay attention to other symptoms and also include the age of your fur nose.
If you can determine the following things, you should take your dog to the vet as soon as possible:
- Frequent urination, not only when lying down
- Increased appetite & weight gain
- Elevated temperature up to fever
- Fatigue & loss of appetite
- pain when urinating
- weight loss
If your dog urinates while lying down, it is likely that there is an illness or inflammation behind it.
Dog loses urine while lying down – how can I support him?
Does your dog lose urine while lying down? Then you can him support with special dog diapers, among other things – regardless of whether age or inflammation is the trigger.
You can also provide him with a dog toilet, which makes going outside the door unnecessary.
This makes sense especially for older dogs that are no longer quite as fit on their feet.
Are bladder stones causing your dog to urinate when lying down? Then a change in feed can help to slowly dissolve these crystals.
In addition, it can help your dog enormously if you avoid stressful situations for him and offer him a relaxed and calm atmosphere.
Is a misalignment of the ureter – the so-called ectopic ureter – the reason that your dog is losing urine?
Then drug therapy is the first option. If this is not effective, the malposition can be corrected by surgery.
Conclusion
Does your dog lose urine while lying down? Then can age, a ureteral deformity, castration and organic and neurological diseases be the reason.
Bladder stones and cystitis can also cause a dog to urinate while lying down, especially while sleeping.
You can support him with a dog toilet, dog diapers, a change of food or simply a relaxed and stress-free atmosphere.
If you can see other symptoms that indicate your dog may be seriously ill, you should make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible.
Has your dog ever leaked urine while lying down and what was the reason? We’d love for you to share your story with us in the comments!