Managing Senior Dog Incontinence

Sharing a home with a senior dog should be a badge of honor. As pet owners, we work hard to provide the best nutrition, veterinary healthcare, exercise, mental stimulation, dog training and unconditional love throughout our dogs’ lives. So, if we’re lucky enough to share our home with a senior dog—even if she’s incontinent—be proud.

Managing dog incontinence is stressful, but it can be done successfully. It’s important to remember, your older dog isn’t choosing to potty indoors. She simply is unable to hold her urine or feces any longer. With that said, making a few easy changes within your senior dog’s environment will make the process much easier. Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my home with many senior dogs, and these dog incontinence tips have worked every time. 🙂

Reminder: If your dog suddenly becomes incontinent, always follow up with your veterinarian first.

1. Use a Plastic Bed Protector

For the most part, accidents happen most often while your dog sleeps. Instead of washing your dog’s bed several times a day, wrap a waterproof bed protector around her bed. Depending on the size of your dog’s bed, choose between a large waterproof mattress bed protector or a waterproof pillow cover for smaller beds.

Waterproof bedding protectors can be purchased online or in the baby department of most stores. Some plastic waterproof bed covers make strange sounds, which can frighten dogs. Additionally, some are slick, which can cause your dog to slide off her bed. If this happens, choose a soundless bed protector made of coated plastic, such as Pet Dreams waterproof bedding cover.

Once you’ve wrapped your dog’s bed with a waterproof protector, cover her bed with old blankets or comforters that can be easily washed. In the past, I’ve used old twin bed comforters wrapped in soft waterproof covers. Each day, I swapped out the comforters and washed as needed. Adding a soft waterproof cover protector on the outside of a comforter protected the interior padding and made washing super easy.

2. Create a Safe & Comfortable Space

Senior dogs deserve a warm, clean, safe and comfortable spot to rest each day. Choose an area that can be easily cleaned up as washable items. When leaving home for work, I’d fence off an area inside my kitchen, covering all accessible flooring with rubber-backed rugs, adding a super comfy bed and toys, and filling a bowl with water.

While it’s tempting to cover your dog’s entire space with Wee Wee pads, it’s not in the best interest of your incontinent senior dog. Potty pads have plastic backing and are super slippery when walked on, which can cause your old dog to slip and fall. Instead, choose rubber-backed rugs with short carpeting. They’re easy to rinse and clean in a pinch.

Each day, as I’d head out for work, I’d give my senior dog a frozen stuffed Kong for her to enjoy. Around noon, my pet sitter would arrive for potty breaks and cleanup. After work, I’d sanitize my senior dog’s area and wash rugs and bedding as needed.

RELATED: How to Stop Your Senior Dog From Slipping

3. Throw Out Diapers

This is a tough topic, as many pet owners disagree on the effectiveness of doggie diapers. Dog diapers will catch urine and fecal accidents, but will also cause skin scalding if dirty diapers are left in place for longer than 10-15 minutes.

It’s understandable to assume dog diapers will prevent accidents from happening in your home, but they should only be used when you’re home to change them often. When left alone for hours, senior dogs should never sit or lie in their own mess; it’s simply cruel. When leaving your dog home alone, keep your incontinent dog in a safe and easy-to-clean area because accidents will happen.

4. Use a Waterless Dog Shampoo

For easy cleanup after potty accidents (because they will happen), keep a large bottle of waterless dog shampoo close by. After potty accidents, simply wipe up any urine or fecal matter from your dog’s skin and coat. Then, spray waterless shampoo onto soiled areas of your dog’s coat and wipe with a clean towel. For dried fecal matter, brush your dog’s coat to remove first, and then clean the area with waterless dog shampoo.

5. Clean Up After Accidents

With so many cleaning solutions available now, purchase or make a natural and odorless product out of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and water. Keep a spray bottle nearby, and clean and sanitize the area immediately after accidents. When cleaning up accidents, keep the mood light and bring your incontinent dog outdoors, so she doesn’t slip on wet flooring. As you’re cleaning up, remember it’s not her fault. 🙂

We never had enough time with our dogs, so enjoy every moment with your senior dog. 🙂