Why is My Dog Peeing on the Bed?
It is common that we must clean up pet messes but peeing on the bed may raise a few red flags when it comes to your four-legged friend. Keep in mind that when a dog wets the bed, potty training is rarely the issue and can be linked to a potential infection or medical condition. Let’s dig deeper into the reasons why your pet may be urinating on the bed.
Hormone Responsive Urinary Incontinence – This is a condition which most often affects middle-aged, spayed female dogs and occasionally seen in younger females and males. There are many studies which show that this issue has to do with the dog’s estrogen levels. With less estrogen, the sphincter becomes more relaxed. With this said, a dog may not be consciously thinking about holding their bladder.
Urinary Tract infection – Unfortunately, this is common in dogs. UTI’s occur when bacteria invade the urinary tract and causes symptoms like painful urination, blood in urine, and decreased bladder control. A dog who is going through a urinary tract infection will need more frequent bathroom breaks, and they might not get out of bed fast enough.
Other Medical Concerns – There are several medical conditions that can affect a dog’s bladder control while they are asleep. Things to consider include bladder stones, diabetes, cognitive disorders, and spinal cord injury. The problems are progressive for many urinary-related medical issues.
Stress, Fear, and Anxiety – Your dog may be frightened or anxious which leads them to the bed for safety. This type of emotional distress can cause a dog to temporarily lose control of their bladder or behave in ways they normally wouldn’t.
Marking – Urine marking is something that both male and female dogs do out of basic instinct. If your dog’s confidence recently took a hit or they are feeling threatened, they may start to mark inside.
These are just a few reasons as to why your dog may be peeing the bed. Figuring out why your dog pees the bed is the first step in preventing it from happening. Always remember that punishment is not the answer. As stated above, this could be due to an underlying health concern. You will need to speak with your veterinarian to address the issue. We also recommend that you utilize a waterproof mattress protector to save your mattress from getting stained by the urine.
