Why is My Older Dog Peeing in the House?
Older dogs are amazing creatures.
They are calm, gentle, and loving.
They don’t get into mischief,
they don’t argue with you over silly things,
and most importantly they are company.
The problem is that older dogs have age-related problems that can be quite challenging for both you and them.
If your dog is getting on in years,
then it is likely that their urinary system will start to not work as well as it used to.
There could be a wide range of reasons why this might happen,
but the most common one simply ages.
We have put together this article to help you understand why your older dog might be peeing inside the home more often than usual…
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What Is Urinary Incontinence In Dogs?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine.
It’s a common problem in dogs, especially as they get older.
The good news is that it’s often treatable.
There are several different types of urinary incontinence,
but the most common is called sphincter mechanism incompetence (SMI).
This occurs when the muscles around the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) become weak and can’t hold urine in properly.
Another type of urinary incontinence is called overflow incontinence.
This happens when the bladder is too full and urination can’t be controlled.
Overflow incontinence is often seen in dogs with kidney disease or diabetes.
Symptoms of urinary incontinence can vary from dog to dog, but may include:
-Leaking urine when sleeping or at rest-Staining around the house where urine has been left behind
-Urinating more frequently than normal
-Straining to urinate or having accidents inside
If you think your dog may be suffering from urinary incontinence,
it’s important to take them to see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
In many cases,
urinary incontinence can be managed with medication, weight loss (if necessary), and changes in diet or bathroom habits.
Also Read: Why Does My Dog Eat My Discharge: 15 Best Unheard Facts
Why is My Older Dog Peeing in the House: The Reasons
The reasons why older dogs begin to pee in the house are many,
but there are several that you should know.
What causes this?
Why does my dog start peeing in the house?
1) Lack Of Exercise And Nutrition
Older dogs may begin to pee in their house for a number of reasons,
but lack of exercise and nutrition is a common cause. Older dogs are often sedentary and lack energy,
which then leads to weight gain.
As this happens, you’ll probably notice that your dog will start to hold his bladder more and more.
2) Loss Of Sight Or Hearing
which is just a fancy way of saying old age,
can wreak havoc on an older dog’s ability to play and be playful.
As more and more of our lives become digitalized and technology plays a much larger role in our daily lives,
it is easy to forget about the basics like communication,
physical exercise and mental stimulation.
This can lead to a decline in the quality of life for senior dogs.
3) Aging Canines May Feel Confined Or Trapped
Older dogs may feel trapped and confined in the home.
They may not be able to move around as easily, or they may feel that their ability to get up and down stairs is limited.
This can lead to them urinating in inappropriate places, like the house or on their bedding.
As your canine ages,
it’s important to assess whether they’re having any mobility issues that might affect their ability to move properly, and if so, give them the freedom of space they need!
4) Depression May Be To Blame
Your older dog may be peeing in the house because of depression.
According to the American Kennel Club,
dogs experience the same range of emotions as humans, and some of those emotions are sadness, frustration, and fear.
The level of depression can vary depending on the dog’s age and health,
but if your dog is older than 10 years old and has been exhibiting these behaviors for a while,
it might be a sign they’re dealing with depression.
If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior or personality, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about what could be causing them.
5) You Might Be Feeding Your Dog The Wrong Things
Your dog’s digestive system has a lot of work to do.
His stomach produces acid, which is what kills bacteria and helps break down food.
But his stomach can only process so much at once.
If too many large, solid foods enter his system at once,
he’ll have trouble digesting them all and will wind up with a digestive blockage.
This can lead to all sorts of health problems, including diarrhea, constipation, or even an infection of the pancreas called pancreatitis.
To prevent this from happening,
try feeding your older dog smaller meals throughout the day instead of large ones.
It may also help to give him foods that are easier to digest such as yogurt or cottage cheese instead of rawhide bones or other hard chews.
6) Anxiety And Stress During Senior Years
It’s true, dogs don’t just get old like we do.
They age, too, and their bodies change as they get older.
But there’s another reason that dogs begin to pee in the house: anxiety and stress.
When dogs are young and healthy, they have a lot of energy and love to play.
As they get older, however, many dogs will begin to feel more anxious or stressed out.
This can lead to a whole host of problems!
It’s important for your dog to develop coping mechanisms for these feelings so he doesn’t resort to peeing on your floor as a way of expressing frustration or fear.
Also Read: Why is my dog afraid of the air fryer? 4 Best Facts You Need To Know
How To Stop Your Older Dogs Begin To Pee In The House: 5 Things To Know Before You Start
When you do see signs of your dog starting to pee in the house, what can you do?
How do you know if it’s time to celebrate a happy occasion or start worrying?
Here are 5 things you need to know before you start exercising whatever control over your older pet has been given back to him.
1) Dogs start to pee more as they age because they aren’t as good at regulating their urine production.
2)Try training your dog to use certain signals instead of punishment when they start to mark territory outside the home.
This will help them know when it’s time to go and won’t reinforce their inappropriate behavior.
3) Make sure you take your older dog on regular walks so that they have an opportunity to relieve themselves naturally.
This will help them learn where inside and outside the home is appropriate for urinating and defecating.
4) Offer them a special area within the home specifically for toileting,
preferably near a source of fresh water so that they’re not forced to travel too far from their designated areas.
5) Be patient – Older dogs tend to take longer than younger dogs to adjust to changes,
so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time for them to stop peeing in the house completely.
How To Stop Your Older Dogs Begin To Pee In The House
Here Are the 12 Best Ways To Stop Your Older Dogs Begin To Pee In The House:
1) Check for a UTI
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract that’s often caused by bacteria.
When the bladder becomes infected,
it starts to fill up with water and urine until it bursts (this is called urethral rupture).
This can then lead to serious complications, including kidney failure and even death.
The best way to prevent your older dog from getting a UTI is by regularly checking her urine for signs of infection.
This means visiting the vet once every six months for a routine urination checkup.
If you notice any unusual smells or blood in her urine, then you should take her straightaway for treatment.
2) Put down Some Pee Pads
Another thing that you can do is put down some pee pads.
This will help your dog to feel more at ease and know that if they need to go outside,
they’ll be able to do so without worry of ruining any furniture or flooring.
3) Decrease the Water Intake Before Bedtime
The water intake can cause your older dog to have urinary issues.
Your dog will be much more comfortable if they don’t drink too much water before bedtime.
If your dog does not drink enough water,
then their bladder will fill with urine and they will start to urinate in the house.
If you want to stop this behavior from occurring,
then you should reduce the amount of water that your dog drinks before bedtime.
4) Add a Night Light
You might have noticed that older dogs begin to pee in the house more often,
especially at night.
This is because their eyes are not as sensitive as they used to be.
So…
whenever they go outside,
it seems less dark than it actually is.
So…
if you have a night light installed in your house,
your older dog will be able to see better and won’t be tempted to urinate on the floor of your home.
5) Keep an eye on your dog
Another thing that you can do is Keep an eye on your dog.
If you notice that your dog is starting to pee in the house,
then immediately take her outside and tell her “No”.
Once she stops doing it, praise her and give her a treat.
6) Keep your dog’s living space clean, and cleaned up
If your dog likes to go outside and do his business,
then you must give him a place to do so.
If you have a dog that has a habit of peeing in the house,
then it is time for him or her to go into the bathroom.
The best way to stop your older dogs from peeing in the house is by making sure that they have enough room for them to take care of their needs.
7) Praise in a loud voice whenever your dog does well
If you start praising your dog when they give you a treat or when they do something good,
they will start thinking that praise is something they are expected to get.
8) Change how you clean after accidents
If your dog has an accident in the house,
the first thing that you should do is clean it up right away.
You don’t want to leave it laying around for too long or else your dog will continue to have accidents.
9) Don’t use punishment-based techniques
Don’t use punishment-based techniques such as yelling or hitting your dog.
These methods will make your dog think that these behaviors are unacceptable and will increase the likelihood of them repeating them again soon after being corrected.
Instead,
try using positive reinforcement methods such as praise and treats whenever you catch your dog going outside or indoors without permission.
You should also make sure that you correct him right away whenever he goes outside or inside without permission;
otherwise,
he will begin to associate going outside with getting treats/praise from you which means he will be more likely to try it again next time!
10) A change in diet might be in order
If your older dog is peeing in the house, you might want to consider changing their diet.
If your dog has been eating high-quality food and you’ve been giving them plenty of exercises,
there’s a good chance they’re just getting older and slowing down.
It’s not unusual for dogs over the age of 7 to begin to slow down in terms of energy expenditure and physical activity,
it’s part of being an adult.
But…
if you notice that they’re not as active as they used to be,
or…
if they’ve developed some specific medical condition,
then it could be time to switch up their diet.
There are many different options available at pet stores (such as grain-free foods),
so…
take a look around and try out something new!
11) Get that dog checked out by the vet!
If your dog is peeing in the house,
it’s time to get that dog checked out by the vet!
It could be something as simple as a UTI or something more serious like prostate problems or bladder cancer.
If you notice that your dog is having accidents in the house,
try getting them to see their vet ASAP.
12) Homeopathic remedies can help
If you’re looking for a way to stop your older dog from peeing in the house,
homeopathic remedies are a great place to start.
Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that uses plant and animal materials to treat symptoms rather than focusing on the root cause of a problem.
Because it’s so gentle,
it’s ideal for older animals who have developed arthritis or have other issues that make it hard for them to move around easily.
There are many different types of homeopathic remedies that can help you manage this issue.
You can find them online or at your local health food store or even at a pharmacy.
Conclusion
Eventually,
every dog (and cat) in the house is going to have some type of accident.
It’s totally normal for them, and it doesn’t mean that there is anything seriously wrong. At least not with them right now.
It could be a symptom of something bigger that you should pay attention to and try to correct.
But I wouldn’t worry too much just yet.
Be patient with your dog once they start having accidents.
And be understanding if they do have occasional messes around the house…
it isn’t their fault if they suddenly aren’t getting their business done outside!
