It’s easy to get frustrated and natural to worry when an older dog who had previously been housebroken begins to urinate inside the home on a regular basis. The question of what is happening and what you can do to stop it is not unique to you as the owner. Our veterinary team polled 258 owners of senior dogs that suddenly began to urinate indoors. In nearly 90% of cases, we discovered that these urination problems were caused by a medical condition. When your elderly dog starts to urinate indoors, the first thing you should do is consult your veterinarian to determine any potential medical issues.
This article will go over the six simple ways to handle your elderly friend’s incontinence as well as the most common causes of senior dogs who suddenly start urinating indoors.
Puppies pee more often
Age does affect how often a dog needs to urinate. Particularly during house training, puppies will need to go outside more frequently — every two hours, according to Solomon. Meghan Smith, a puppy owner from Mason, Ohio, claims she walks her 3-month-old dog “every hour, in addition to every time he wakes up from naps, after vigorous play, and within five minutes of eating or drinking anything.” “This puppy is taking longer to train than her previous dog Loki, who she claims took two weeks,”
Maxx, a five-year-old dog, goes to work with Sarah Carothers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she has to keep a close eye on him to prevent accidents in the workplace. She only takes him out “at set times, namely 8:30, 11:00, for lunch from 1:00 to 2:00, and then back home.” ”.
Older dogs and those on medication pee more often, too
Additionally, older dogs may require more frequent urination than usual. Carothers’ dogs typically go outside when they emerge from their crates in the morning, before she leaves for work, upon her return, following dinner, and just before bed. Coz, her older dog, is now 13 and requires an additional bathroom break around 4 a.m. m. She says she can only leave the dogs for about six hours because “he’s on heart pills, which make him pee more so he sometimes has an accident.”
Emotional Causes of Dog Incontinence
A senior dog may begin peeing inside for reasons unrelated to aging on occasion. All ages of dogs may exhibit behavioral changes as a result of emotional factors, such as stress related to moving or having a new baby in the home. This may include:
FAQ
How often does a senior dog need to pee?
The general recommendation is that senior dogs should be let outside every four to six hours to relieve themselves, but again, this will depend on their breed, weight, and the presence of any health issues.
Why is my senior dog peeing so much?
Dog incontinence is a common aging symptom, but if your older dog is urinating indoors, it may also be a sign of a more serious health problem. There are many different factors that can contribute to incontinence, such as aging, illness, infections, and pain. Consult a veterinarian right away if your senior dog is eliminating indoors.
Do dogs have to go to the bathroom more as they get older?
As dogs get older, they may need to use the restroom more frequently and start having accidents inside the home. Additionally, according to PetMD, difficult urination could be a sign of kidney disease.