My Dog Pees a Little While Sleeping

As we stated in the introduction, looking at the context of each individual dog is important to understand the reason they pee a little while sleeping. An important factor is whether they have been spayed. Known as an ovariohysterectomy, it has been reported that female dogs which have been spayed are three times more likely to develop urinary incontinence than sexually intact dogs^[1].

Sex hormones exert a certain amount of control over the urinary system of the dog. For example, certain hormones can cause the urinary sphincter to relax or contract. By removing the uterus and ovaries, this control can be affected, leading to some incontinence. This can occur more while they are asleep since they are not actively trying to hold it in while they are unconscious.

Spaying complications in dogs such as this are rare. It does appear there is some genetic influence, since it appears to happen more in certain breeds such as the Doberman, Vizsla or Boxer. It is also more likely to occur in larger dogs than smaller ones.

Treatment of urinary incontinence after spaying

If your dog leaks urine while sleeping shortly after being spayed, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. Preferably, you should do so with the same one who performed the operation. They can assess whether the spaying has actually caused the incontinence and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Fortunately, hormonal incontinence does not pose a risk to the dog's health, but it may require long-term pharmacological treatment.

Despite overall higher incidents of incontinence after spaying, it is still a relatively rare side effect. In fact, any adverse side effect is relatively rare in dogs. Learn more about why this procedure can be beneficial for your dog with our article asking what is the best age to neuter a dog?

Cystitis and other urinary tract infections can cause your dog to pass small amounts of urine frequently. This can happen whether awake or asleep. The primary reason it occurs is due to inflammation and irritation of the bladder and urethra. This causes the animal to constantly feel the need to urinate, even if they do not have much liquid in their bladder.

Urinary tract infections can also cause spasms in the mucous membranes and muscles of the genitourinary system. This can make it difficult for the dog to control their sphincter, which will involuntarily release drops of urine. If the infection worsens, incontinence can develop to the point the animal urinates even while asleep.

Keep in mind that cystitis is painful for dogs as they feel a strong irritation every time they urinate. If not treated in time, the bacteria causing the infection can proliferate and end up affecting the dog's kidney or other organs.

Treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs

A complete urinalysis is usually enough for the veterinarian to determine the presence of an infection, which is then treated through the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Sometimes, it is also recommended to give the animal a specially formulated diet which can help acidify the urine. They may also benefit from ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplements if the veterinarian considers it appropriate^[2].

Read our related article to learn about the causes and treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs.

Another reason a dog pees a little while sleeping could be due to polydipsia. Not a disease in itself, but a symptom of other health conditions, polydipsia refers to the excessive intake of water. This increased thirst leads to a dog drinking much more water than needed. An example of a disease which has polydipsia as a symptom is diabetes mellitus. Drinking more water means more needs to be eliminated through urine.

When a dog has an increased need to urinate due to polydipsia, we can see them stopping to do so more than usual when out walking. When indoors, they may not be able to hold it in and pee near the door as they try to get out. In some cases, they may pee a little in their own bed while resting. In addition to diabetes mellitus in dogs, some of the health conditions which can lead to polydipsia include:

• Cushing's syndrome
• Addison's syndrome
• Pyometra
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Hypercalcemia

Treatment of polydipsia in dogs

Since polydipsia is a symptom and not a disease, diagnostic tests will be needed to determine the underlying cause. Generally speaking, this will include a blood test, urinalysis and an abdominal ultrasound. This will help to make a differential diagnosis and administration of the corresponding treatment. Such treatment can be surgical or pharmacological, depending on the cause. Diabetes mellitus will require life-long monitoring and adjustment of glucose levels.

Unfortunately, the presence of neoplasms or tumors is a cause that we cannot rule out if a dog pees a little while sleeping. In most cases, tumors that cause urine loss problems are located somewhere in the urinary tract or in adjacent areas. When the cells proliferate, the growth of the tumor can compress the bladder and cause involuntary leakage of urine.

If the tumor grows inside the bladder itself, it prevents it from filling properly and the urine has much less space to accumulate. The animal will then need to urinate more frequently than usual. We may even see the dog urinating inside the home, despite being toilet trained.

Although less likely, there is also the possibility that a tumor affecting the nervous system can cause the dog to pee while sleeping. Since the nervous system affects the dog's entire organism, a tumor can result in improper sphincter control.

Treatment of tumors in dogs

Tumors should always be carefully assessed using tests such as ultrasound or CT scan. In many cases, the growths can be surgically removed and the problem is resolved. This is much easier to do if the tumor is detected in its early stages when it is still small and localized. For this reason, it is vital to go to the vet when the first symptoms appear.

Unfortunately, if the tumor affects the nervous system, the chances of recovery are much more limited. This is also the case if the tumor is cancerous and has metastasized to other tissues. In these cases, palliative treatment may be the best protocol to help the animal maintain a better quality of life.

Discover more about the different types of tumors which can affect dogs by reading our related guide.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs is a degenerative disease that appears in some dogs when they reach advanced age. It is a slow and continuous degeneration of the animal's central nervous system. In many ways, it is analogous to senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease in humans.

This neuronal degeneration causes dogs to suffer some alterations in their behavior. For example, they may tend to:

• Become easily disoriented
• Forget commands and tricks they used to know
• Bark more frequently.
• Suffer from sleep disturbances
• Have urinary incontinence

If your dog is over eight years old and you have noticed they are beginning to act strangely and urinate inappropriately all of a sudden, it is important to consider cognitive degeneration. While it can happen in younger dogs, it is much more rare.

Treatment of cognitive dysfunction in dogs

To confirm the presence of degenerative cognitive dysfunction, a veterinarian will first rule out other possible pathologies. This will require tests such as clinical neurological examinations. They will need to take into account the patient's medical history and any other determining factors which may suggest cognitive dysfunction.

Unfortunately, cognitive dysfunction syndrome is not curable. Treatments are based on managing symptoms and best ensuring quality of life. They may be able to help slow down the degeneration, but they will not be able to stop it. Some anxiolytic medications can help them to feel calm when confused and certain behavioral modifications may also help. However, once it progresses sufficiently, euthanasia is usually the best course of action to avoid suffering.

In our related guide, we share some of the general causes and treatment of urinary incontinence in dogs.

Also known as uroliths, bladder stones are caused by minerals collecting in the urinary tract and forming hard deposits which can cause blockages. Factors influencing the formation of bladder stones in dogs are urinary infections, poor hydration, genetic predisposition or even certain diseases. While they are known as bladder stones, the uroliths can also accumulate in the kidneys or ureters.

One of the most frequent manifestations in dogs is the presence of struvite or calcium oxalate stones in the bladder. These mineral formations can grow to various sizes, resulting in blockages or even damage to the tissues of the genitourinary system. Irritation and lesions can lead to incontinence, resulting in the dog peeing a little while they sleep. A specific symptom of bladder stones is the dog urinating only small amounts at a time.

Treatment of bladder stones in dogs

The treatment of the uroliths in dogs will depend on the severity of the situation. If the stones are small and sparse, a more conservative treatment may be required. This mainly involves changing the dog's diet and administering supplements to encourage the breakup of the stones. If the bladder stones are large and pose a significant risk to the animal, surgical intervention may be required to remove them.

Learn more about how to treat bladder stones with our article explaining why a dog has crystals in their urine.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Pees a Little While Sleeping, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.