My older dog keeps peeing in the house. What is the cause?

Original Question: I have a 12-year-old Husky and the past 3 to 4 weeks he has been doing his number two in the house. He doesn't seem to have control of his bowels and he hasn't done anything like this before. I was wondering what the problem might be? Thank you. - Barbara

Oct 12, 2017

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for writing to us. There are a few things I can suggest when you have an older dog peeing in the house. It would be a good idea to have your dog examined by your veterinarian to see if there are any physical reasons why he might be changing his habits. For example, there are some localized neurological conditions that can cause fecal incontinence/loss of bowel control. Your vet may want to know if there is some sort of pattern to the accidents. Does it happen at a certain time of day? For example, if it is always in the morning before he goes out, then perhaps he just can’t hold it as long anymore – 12 years is what I would consider senior for a larger breed like a Husky. I would also want to know if he goes outside if given the opportunity, or if he prefers to go indoors only.

I would also recommend asking your vet about a condition commonly seen in older dogs called “canine cognitive dysfunction.” With this disorder, the brain structure and metabolism change over time with age, and this leads to alterations in behavior. In some ways, it can be compared to dementia that many older humans experience. One of the first signs of this is a loss of house training in a dog that was previously well trained to go outdoors. There are many supplements, medications, and diets that can help support older dogs that may be experiencing this issue. Your vet will be able to assess your dog and determine the best course of action.