Incontinence In Dogs: Tips For Helping Your Elderly Dog

Is incontinence in dogs becoming a problem in your home?  Perhaps you've noticed that your elderly dog has been leaving puddles of urine behind when she gets up from a nap.  She may even be dripping urine all the time.  Dog incontinence may become a problem for an aging dog.  What causes this problem, and what can you do to help?

What Causes Dogs To Become Incontinent?

There are a number of reasons this may become a problem in your older pet.  The most common reason for a female dog is that her estrogen levels are going down as she gets older.  Less estrogen leads to less muscle tone, especially in her bladder.  This is more than likely the problem if the only time you notice the problem is when she's sleeping or relaxed.

For male dogs, it's more than likely that canine bladder stones are the problem, not declining hormone levels.  Your vet will want to rule out any possible physical problems before assuming that he's incontinent due to lower testosterone levels.

Canine urinary tract infections are also a very common cause of incontinence in older pets.  Cystitis in dogs causes your buddy to need to urinate more frequently.  Due to irritation in her bladder, she just may not be able to hold it long enough to get outside.  If she's drinking more water than she normally does, this is another sign of a canine bladder infection.  Blood may also be present in her urine, although you may not notice it.

Canine diabetes, Cushing's disease in dogs, and kidney failure can all cause incontinence in dogs.  Cancer is on the rise in older pets, so it's wise to be aware of the warning signs of this disease.  If you see that your pet is bleeding from the urinary tract, take her to the vet right away for a check-up.  The sooner any of these diseases are diagnosed, the better the outcome is.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Prevent Dog Incontinence

As your pet gets older, canine incontinence can become a problem.  If your vet has ruled out anythng serious like canine diabetes, or bladder cancer in dogs, you may want to think about putting her on a natural remedy for pets that helps to maintain urinary tract and bladder health.

You'll want to look for a remedy that contains berberis, also known as barberry.  This herb has a restorative effect on your pet's bladder and urinary tract.  Plus it gives her immune system a boost, which will help her to fight off canine cystitis.

Uva ursi has a long history of use in humans for bladder problems.  This herb is helpful in maintaining normal ph levels in the bladder, which helps to prevent urinary tract infections.  It works well with pets, too.

The homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagris are useful for maintaining bladder health. 

You'll want to find a remedy formulated especially for pets, not people.  It's best to deal with a company with a great reputation for providing the high quality pet products. 

Help prevent incontinence in dogs from becoming a problem for your aging pet.  If your old friend is already showing signs of incontinence, don't wait to start her on a good quality natural remedy for pets right away.