
Female dogs peeing in their sleep is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and certain medical conditions.
In some cases, female dogs may pee in their sleep due to a medical condition such as kidney stones, which can cause pain and discomfort that leads to frequent urination.
A study found that urinary tract infections are a common cause of incontinence in female dogs, with symptoms including frequent urination, straining to urinate, and accidents in the house.
If your dog is peeing in her sleep, it's essential to take her to the vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
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Causes and Symptoms
Female dogs peeing in sleep can be a concerning issue for many pet owners.
Urinary incontinence is more likely to occur in female dogs due to lower estrogen levels, leading to a loss of muscle tone in the urethra. This can cause them to leak urine, especially at night.
The main symptom of incontinence is noticing dripping urine from your dog. There may also be redness or irritation around the skin from the dripping.
If you notice your dog licking their vulva more often, it can be a sign of urinary incontinence. This is because the dripping urine can cause irritation and discomfort.
Urinary incontinence can lead to other infections in the bladder or kidneys if left untreated. That's why it's essential to take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms.
Some common symptoms of urinary incontinence include leaking urine while sleeping or relaxing, and dribbling urine as your dog walks or after urination.
Most of the time, dogs with urinary incontinence are unaware of what's happening, which can be a good thing as they won't appear to be in pain or discomfort. However, it's always best to take your dog to a vet to determine the underlying cause.
Here are some possible causes of urinary incontinence in dogs:
- Dogs have a weak bladder
- Urinary tract infection
- A spinal injury or degeneration
- Diseases that can cause excessive drinking of water, such as diabetes or kidney disease
- Urinary stones
- Anatomic abnormalities
Treatment and Prevention
If your female dog is peeing in her sleep, it's essential to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Your vet will likely perform a urinary test and blood work to understand the problem.
A urinary tract infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics, which can resolve the issue. In some cases, diabetes can cause excessive thirst and peeing, and managing the dog's diabetes can resolve the frequent peeing.
Helping your dog feel safe and comfortable can prevent her from peeing on the bed. Identifying the cause of her inappropriate urination is the first step, and a veterinarian can help with this.
Management of most cases of urinary incontinence is easily achievable, and medications can be up to 95% effective. However, some dogs may require significant dose adjustments before improvement is achieved.
A physical examination and urine sample are usually the first steps in diagnosing the cause of your dog's peeing on the bed. Your veterinarian will discuss a treatment plan with you based on the findings.
If your vet rules out all potential medical reasons for your dog's inappropriate urination, it's time to work on correcting the behavior. This may involve providing a safe and comfortable environment for your dog to sleep.
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Health and Medical Issues
Urinary tract infections can cause dogs to have urinary accidents, and your vet may need a urine sample to run a urinalysis to diagnose this issue.
Some conditions that can cause a dog to pee in her sleep include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and tumors of the bladder or urethra.
Arthritis and senility in older dogs can also cause urine leakage while sleeping, making it difficult for them to maintain their urination posture long enough to completely empty their bladder.
Dogs with diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing's disease may experience increased thirst and urination, leading to nap time urine leakage.
Spay incontinence is a condition that affects primarily spayed female dogs, caused by decreased muscle tone of the urethral sphincter, which can lead to urine leakage while sleeping.
A different take: Why Is My Female Dog Sleeping More than Usual
Health Issues
Urinary incontinence is a common issue in dogs, especially seniors. It's estimated that up to 20% of neutered females and 30% of neutered females weighing over 20kg suffer from Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI).
Discover more: How Is a Female Dog Neutered

Urinary tract infections can cause dogs to have accidents, and antibiotics are often prescribed to clear up the infection. Other issues like cystitis, crystals in the urine, and bladder stones can also make it difficult for dogs to control bladder activity.
Certain conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing's disease can affect the urinary tract and lead to increased thirst and urination. This can cause dogs to leak urine while sleeping or during the day.
Arthritis and senility in older dogs can impair their ability to empty their bladder completely, leading to urine leakage while sleeping. Some dogs may also experience increased thirst and urination due to underlying medical conditions.
Medications are available to help manage urinary incontinence, with some being up to 95% effective. However, regular blood and urine tests may be necessary to monitor for side effects or other medical issues.
Dogs with urinary tract problems may require a urine sample for urinalysis, and radiographs (X-rays) may be recommended to screen for bladder stones or tumors. Bloodwork may also be necessary to identify underlying causes of increased thirst and urination.
Weight

Your dog's weight can have a significant impact on their health, and it's not just about looking cute. A dog's weight appears to increase the incidence of urinary incontinence.
Dogs weighing more than their breed's average weight are more likely to have urinary incontinence compared to those below the average weight for the breed.
Here's an interesting read: Why Is My Dog's Pee Greasy?
Accidents and Solutions
Your female dog peeing in sleep can be a stressful and frustrating experience for both you and your dog. If your dog is showing signs of incontinence, it's essential to take her to the vet to rule out any underlying causes.
A weak bladder is one possible reason why your dog may be experiencing incontinence. This can be a result of a variety of factors, including age, size, or breed.
Urinary tract infections can also cause incontinence in dogs. These infections can be painful and may require antibiotics to clear up.
Some dogs may experience incontinence due to diseases that cause excessive water drinking, such as diabetes or kidney disease. If your dog is drinking more water than usual, it's a good idea to have her checked by a vet.
Intriguing read: Female Dog Drinking a Lot of Water
Urinary stones can also cause incontinence in dogs. These stones can be painful and may require surgery to remove.
Anatomic abnormalities can also lead to incontinence in dogs. This can include issues with the shape or size of the bladder or urethra.
Here are some possible solutions to help your dog with incontinence:
- Take your dog to the vet to rule out any underlying causes
- Keep an eye on your dog's water intake to prevent excessive drinking
- Provide regular exercise and potty breaks to help strengthen your dog's bladder
- Consider using dog diapers or belly bands to help absorb accidents
Sources
- https://www.walkinpets.com/blog/dog-incontinence-at-night/
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-does-my-dog-pee-on-my-bed-5181122
- https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/why-is-my-female-dog-peeing-on-the-bed-all-of-a-sudden
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/why-is-my-female-dog-peeing-on-my-bed/
- https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/incontinence-in-dogs
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