What this means
Dogs that leak urine may not feel it. The owner notices a wet spot in the bed after sleep, damp fur around the genitals, or a dog that keeps licking that area.
It matters to tell apart a dog that cannot control its urine from one that deliberately urinates indoors. If a dog leaks while lying down or asleep, this is not a behaviour problem and there is no need to punish it.
Note how many times a week it happens, whether the amount is large or only drops, and whether your dog is drinking more than before. Redness of the skin or an unpleasant smell around the genitals is also worth mentioning at the visit.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Weakness in holding urine in
The muscle that keeps urine in the bladder may stop working as it used to. Urine leaks out while your dog rests or sleeps.
About the condition: Urinary incontinence -
Inflammation of the urinary tract
An irritated bladder can release urine at unexpected times. Your dog may urinate more often and lick itself.
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Kidney disease
When the kidneys make more urine, a dog may not be able to hold it. Greater thirst may go with it.
About the condition: Kidney disease -
An inborn difference in the urinary tract
In young dogs urine may leak because of the way the tract formed. The sign appears from a young age.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When the urine leaks: asleep, resting or walking
- Whether the amount is large or only drops
- Whether your dog drinks more than before
- Whether the skin around the genitals is red
- Whether your dog licks that area
- Whether the smell or colour of the urine has changed
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your dog leaks urine, because the cause needs to be found. If your dog cannot pass urine, is lethargic, vomiting or in pain, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Urinary incontinence Kidneys and bladder Urinary incontinence is a condition in which a dog leaks urine without meaning to, sometimes without even noticing. It can be caused by a weak seal at the bladder outlet, urinary tract infections, stones, inborn defects of the urinary tract, nervous system disorders or other illnesses. It is not the dog's fault, and finding out why it is happening is a job for a vet.
- Kidney disease Kidneys and bladder The kidneys filter the blood, remove waste from the body and help keep the balance of fluids and salts. When they are damaged suddenly, for example by poisoning or infection, or weaken gradually over a longer time, substances they should remove start to build up in the body. Long-term kidney changes can go unnoticed for a long time, because the healthy part of the kidneys takes over the work for a while.
Body systems: Kidneys and bladder