What to Do If Your Dog Is Leaking Urine

By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team

Waking up to a damp patch on your dog's bed is frustrating, but it is almost never deliberate. A dog who leaks urine without realising it has a medical problem, and most of the causes can be treated or well managed. The first step is working out whether this is true leaking or a toileting issue, because they point in very different directions.

Key takeaways

Leaking urine without awareness is called urinary incontinence. It is a medical issue, not a training problem.
Spay-related incontinence is the most common cause in adult female dogs and usually responds well to treatment.
Infections, bladder stones, increased thirst and spinal problems can also cause leaking.
Straining to urinate with little or nothing coming out is an emergency.
Never punish a dog for leaking. It does not help and can add stress.

Leaking or something else?

Ask yourself what the accidents look like.

True incontinence: dribbles or wet patches where your dog has been lying or sleeping, damp fur around the vulva or prepuce, and your dog seems unaware.
Peeing more often or in odd places: your dog squats deliberately, perhaps frequently and in small amounts. This suggests a urinary tract infection, bladder stones or bladder inflammation.
Drinking much more and peeing large amounts: a sign of conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or Cushing's disease. The bladder simply fills faster than your dog can hold.
Excitement or submissive urination: small puddles when greeting people or being told off, common in young dogs. This is behavioural and usually improves with age and calm greetings.
Marking: usually entire males lifting a leg on vertical surfaces.

Common causes of urine leaking

Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, often called spay incontinence. The muscle that keeps the bladder closed becomes weaker after desexing, typically months to years later. It is more common in medium and large breed females. Leaking usually happens during rest or sleep.
Urinary tract infection, which irritates the bladder and causes urgency.
Bladder stones, which can irritate the bladder lining and sometimes partly block the urethra. Our guide to bladder stones in dogs explains more.
Ectopic ureters, a birth defect where the tubes from the kidneys bypass the bladder. Puppies, more often females, leak constantly from a young age. Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Siberian Huskies are overrepresented.
Prostate disease in older entire male dogs.
Spinal problems, such as disc disease, which can affect the nerves controlling the bladder. Look for weakness, wobbliness, or back pain alongside leaking.
Increased thirst and urination from diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing's disease or some medications.
Age and cognitive decline, which can reduce bladder control in senior dogs.

When it is urgent

See a vet immediately if your dog:

Is straining to urinate and passing only drops or nothing at all
Has blood in the urine along with straining or pain
Has sudden weakness or wobbliness in the back legs, or seems in pain when you touch the back
Is vomiting, very lethargic, or has stopped eating

A dog who cannot pass urine can become seriously ill within a day. This is more common in male dogs, and in male cats it is one of the most common emergencies we see.

Book an appointment within a day or two if leaking is new, frequent, or accompanied by increased drinking, licking the genital area, or a strong smell to the urine.

What you can do at home

Put washable or waterproof covers on your dog's bed and favourite spots.
Offer more frequent toilet breaks, including just before bed.
Keep the fur around the genitals trimmed and clean, and gently wipe the area to prevent urine scald (red, sore skin).
Note when leaking happens (asleep, walking, excited), how much your dog is drinking, and any change in urine colour or smell. If you can, collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container for your vet.
Keep water available. Restricting water can be harmful, especially if your dog has an underlying condition causing thirst.

How vets diagnose the cause

Your vet will ask about age, desexing history, when the leaking happens and how much your dog drinks, then examine your dog, including the genital area, belly and spine. A urine test is one of the most useful first steps, checking for infection, crystals, blood and how concentrated the urine is. Blood tests, X-rays or ultrasound may follow to look for stones, kidney changes or hormonal disease. Puppies with suspected ectopic ureters may need specialised imaging.

How it is treated

Treatment matches the cause.

Spay incontinence usually responds well to prescribed medication that strengthens the urethral sphincter. Many dogs are dry again within days to weeks.
Infections are treated with antibiotics chosen based on a urine culture where possible.
Bladder stones may be dissolved with a special diet or removed surgically, depending on the type.
Ectopic ureters are often corrected with surgery or minimally invasive procedures.
Hormonal or kidney disease needs its own long-term management plan.

FAQ

Why is my female dog leaking urine when she sleeps?
Spay incontinence is the most common reason, but a urine test is still important to rule out infection.

Is urine leaking a sign my dog is getting old?
It can be more common with age, but it is not something you should simply accept. Many causes are treatable.

Can incontinence be cured?
Some causes, such as infections or stones, can be resolved. Spay incontinence is usually managed long term with medication, often very successfully.

Should I limit my dog's water to stop leaking?
No. Restricting water can be dangerous. Speak to your vet about the cause instead.

Talk with a vet

If your dog has started leaking, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can talk through the pattern, help you understand the likely causes, and advise on what tests your local vet may need to run. Book a consult with Dial A Vet. A dog straining with little or no urine needs an in-person vet straight away. You can also read our guide to urinary incontinence in dogs.

References

Merck Veterinary Manual: Urinary incontinence in small animals
Merck Veterinary Manual: Urolithiasis in small animals
Byron JK, Taylor KH, Phillips GS, Stahl MS. Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in 163 neutered female dogs: diagnosis, treatment, and relationship of weight and age at neuter to development of disease. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2017;31(2):442-448.
RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase: What are the health benefits of desexing my dog?

Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.