Incontinence after Spaying – Has your female dog suddenly sprung a leak after being spayed? This leaking of urine is not the same as behavioral marking, mostly seen in male dogs, nor is it the same as the puddles you might find in the house with a new, untrained puppy. Dog incontinence after spaying is entirely different.
“Although any dog can become incontinent as they age, especially larger breeds and those that are overweight, this type of leaking is most common in recently-spayed female dogs.”
Incontinence after spaying normally happens when your dog is sleeping or at rest. This is a result of the operation they have just gone through and the hormonal changes they occur after the procedure. Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels affect the urinary sphincter mechanism. This is the muscle group in the urethra near the bladder that keeps the urethra shut tight. The specific smooth muscles that are affected are actually part of the involuntary nervous system.
This means that no matter how well-trained your dog is, she simply cannot help it when suffering from dog incontinence after spay. This also means that you should NEVER yell or reprimand your spayed female for leaking urine. She simply has no control over her bladder.
You just got your furry friend back from her spay surgery, and suddenly she’s leaving puddles all over the house. What gives? If you’re wondering “do dogs urinate more after being spayed?” – you’re definitely not alone. This is actually a pretty common concern for many pet parents.
I’ve gathered all the information you need about this post-surgery situation so you can understand what’s happening with your pup and know when it’s normal versus when you should be concerned.
Do Dogs Actually Pee More After Being Spayed?
The short answer is: yes, dogs often do pee more frequently after being spayed or neutered. This isn’t just your imagination – it’s a real phenomenon that affects many dogs, especially females.
According to veterinary experts, this increased urination is usually temporary and resolves as your dog heals from the surgical procedure. But understanding why it happens can help you manage the situation better.
Why Your Dog Might Be Peeing More After Spay Surgery
There are several reasons why your newly spayed pup might be leaving more puddles around:
1. Hormonal Changes
When your dog gets spayed the veterinarian removes her ovaries and uterus. This causes significant hormonal changes in her body. The sex hormones (like estrogen) that were previously regulated by these organs play an important role in many bodily functions – including bladder control.
With lower levels of estrogen after spaying, the muscles that hold urine in the body sometimes relax when they shouldn’t This can lead to involuntary leakage or more frequent urination.
2. Post-Surgery Discomfort
Let’s face it – surgery hurts! Your dog may be experiencing discomfort in the surgical area, which is located near the urinary tract. This pain can create an increased sensation of needing to pee, even when the bladder isn’t particularly full.
Most dogs will feel this discomfort for about a week after surgery which explains why the increased urination often resolves within 7-14 days.
3. Restlessness After Surgery
Dogs are typically restless after having a spay procedure. This restlessness might manifest as frequent trips to their potty spot, even if they don’t actually need to go every time.
4. Response to Stress
Surgery is stressful! Some dogs respond to stress by urinating more frequently. Plus, your dog might sense your concern about her recovery, which could add to her stress levels.
Is My Dog Peeing in the House on Purpose?
If your housetrained dog suddenly starts having accidents indoors after being spayed, don’t worry – this isn’t typically a behavioral issue. Your dog isn’t trying to “get back at you” for the surgery!
As the experts at PetDogOwner explain, “If this is happening within the week or so after the procedure, in most cases, this is not being done on purpose.” The involuntary need to eliminate can make your dog feel bad too – they don’t want to have accidents any more than you want to clean them up.
What’s Normal vs. When to Worry
Most post-spay urination issues resolve within 1-2 weeks as your dog heals. However, there are some situations when you should contact your vet:
- If excessive urination continues beyond 14 days after surgery
- If you notice blood in your dog’s urine
- If your dog seems to be in pain when urinating
- If your dog is drinking excessive amounts of water
- If your dog is straining to urinate but producing little or no urine
These could indicate complications from surgery or unrelated issues like urinary tract infections.
What Can I Do About My Dog’s Increased Urination?
While this issue usually resolves on its own, here are some things you can do to manage the situation:
- Be patient – Remember this is likely temporary
- Increase potty breaks – Take your dog out more frequently until things normalize
- Protect your floors – Consider using puppy pads in areas where your dog spends most of her time
- Maintain a consistent schedule – Regular feeding and bathroom breaks can help
- Monitor water intake – Make sure your dog has access to water, but watch for excessive drinking
- Follow post-op instructions – Complete all medications prescribed by your vet
Other Common Side Effects of Spaying
Increased urination isn’t the only change you might notice after your dog gets spayed. Other common side effects include:
- Mood changes – Your dog might seem more irritable, nervous, depressed, or clingy due to hormonal fluctuations
- Increased appetite – Some dogs experience changes in appetite after spaying
- Lethargy – Expect your dog to be more tired than usual as her body heals
- Increased thirst – This often accompanies increased urination
- Panting and licking – Especially around the surgical site
- Temporary behavior changes – These usually resolve as hormone levels stabilize
Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
While dealing with increased urination can be frustrating, it’s important to remember the many benefits of spaying:
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies
- Reduces risk of mammary cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine infections
- Eliminates heat cycles and related behaviors
- Reduces roaming tendencies
- Helps combat pet overpopulation
- Can reduce aggression in some dogs
FAQs About Post-Spay Urination
How long will my dog pee more after being spayed?
In most cases, increased urination resolves within 7-14 days as your dog heals from surgery.
Should I restrict my dog’s water intake to reduce accidents?
No, never restrict water access. This could lead to dehydration and other health problems.
Can spaying cause permanent incontinence?
While rare, some female dogs do develop spay-induced incontinence, particularly later in life. This can be managed with medication if it occurs.
Will male dogs also pee more after neutering?
Yes, although it’s more common in females, male dogs can also experience increased urination after being neutered.
What medications help with post-spay urination issues?
If the problem persists, your vet might prescribe medications like phenylpropanolamine or hormonal supplements to help with bladder control.
The Bottom Line
Yes, dogs often do urinate more after being spayed, but this is usually a temporary issue that resolves as they heal. Be patient with your furry friend during this recovery period, and remember that the long-term health benefits of spaying far outweigh the short-term inconveniences.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s post-operative urination habits, especially if they persist beyond two weeks, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. They can rule out complications or other medical issues and help your dog get back to normal as quickly as possible.
We always want the best for our furry companions, and understanding these normal post-surgical changes can help us provide better care during their recovery. Your dog will be back to her normal self before you know it!
Signs of Female Incontinence After Spaying
You will most likely notice that your dog dribbles while walking or lying down, so you will probably find wet spots on the bedding or areas where she sleeps. This may be side effects of the anesthesia but if it lasts longer or re-occurs months after the surgery and your dog seems to not be getting better from the leaking, consult your vet as it may be spay incontinence. You may also notice your female dog is licking the area of skin that has become irritated by urine. These are symptoms of spay incontinence.
Your vet will diagnose spay incontinence through your dog’s medical history, clinical signs, blood tests, and urine tests. They may also perform a bladder radiograph (X-ray) and ultrasound on your dog to make sure their diagnosis is not confused with other diseases.
Can spaying cause incontinence in dogs? Unfortunately, yes, it can be one of the side effects of spaying a dog. Incontinence after spaying appears on your furbaby first before it actually appears on your floor.
You will occasionally notice and wonder why your female dog is leaking urine when lying down or while resting. Or, you might notice some of these common signs of dog incontinence after spaying:
- Your furbabys hind legs are wet
- She is licking at her vulva often
- Her favorite corner of the house is always damp or smells of dog pee
- She has burn marks on her skin around her private parts
- She is showing signs of discomfort after spaying
- Wet spots where your dog lays
- She is exhibiting behavioral changes
Each of these can be considered a spay incontinence symptom. Incontinence after spaying typically develops immediately or some months after the actual spaying procedure. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, urinary incontinence occurred on average at 2 years and 10 months after surgery and occurred each day, while the dogs were awake or during sleep.
Sadly, many of these dogs will develop a urinary tract infection because of the constant licking of the vulva and its constant exposure to urine, which can make the situation worse. Since the sphincter is weak, it allows bacteria to travel inside the bladder. And all of that licking is creating a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s the perfect storm of sorts and makes incontinence even worse.
If your dog has recently been spayed and has any of the symptoms mentioned, you should schedule a follow-up appointment with your vet, who will want to do a urinalysis and blood work, and perhaps even culture to determine the kind of bacteria that is present if an infection is occurring.
“Will my vet know if my dog will develop incontinence after spaying?”
Your vet cannot predict if your dog will be the one to develop incontinence, but according to Dogs Naturally Magazine, obese dogs and pets that are spayed under the age of six months are more at risk. This is because of the common cause that is a hormonal imbalance that occurs after spaying.
For the urinary tract tissues of your furbaby to function well, it greatly depends on the amount of estrogen that its exposed to. After your pets ovaries are removed, her estrogen levels become too low to supply proper function of the tissues in the urinary tract, thus exposing pets who are spayed early to the possibilities of incontinence.