Help! My Dog Is Suddenly Peeing In the House

Accidents happen. Especially when we are talking about kids and pets. However, although dogs peeing in the house is not an uncommon occurrence, suddenly doing so could be an indication of an underlying issue. Unlike breed-specific excited urination (Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds, for example) and those who are simply undertrained, sudden urination needs to be taken care of. When your dog starts unexpectedly urinating in the house, there is usually a reason for it. If you are dealing with a situation where your dog is suddenly peeing in the house – we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for the most logical reasons for this unexpected behaviour.

If your dog started peeing in the house, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian as soon s possible.

Behavioural Issues

Sudden onset of behavioural issues isn’t exactly common but it also is not unheard of. Anxiety, including separation anxiety, along with, according to some, anger, can cause your pooch to act out. And, acting out usually leads to destructive behaviours as well as, you guessed it, suddenly peeing all over your house. Diagnosing and treating any possible behavioural issues would be the first step, and you could also consider bringing in a professional – such as obedience or behavioural trainer.

Medical Cause

One of the most common reasons for sudden urination in the home is due to underlying, unknown medical causes. A UTI, in particular, could be causing the peeing issue and is, in fact, a common reason for inappropriate urination. A urinary tract infection can present quite quickly and, unfortunately, can progress fairly quickly too, if left untreated. Other illnesses such as the sudden onset of diabetes could also be the cause of your furry friend abruptly urinating in the house. This is why it is imperative to get the dog to the veterinarian as soon as the problem presents itself. You want to rule out medical causes or have them diagnosed and treated if needed.

Territorial Purposes

Have you brought a new dog home? A new human friend?

A dog cannot verbalize his objections so he shows his disapproval in other ways, like suddenly peeing in the house. Typically, given time, your dog will get used to the newcomer, however, obedience training may be necessary.

Innocuous Reasons

Sometimes, we are simply looking far too deep into it. If your pooch is drinking extra water or is not being let outside to do their business as frequently as needed, it could be the reason for the peein’. This should be ruled out first and, if not, there is actually a pretty simple solution. Ensure that your four-legged family member is not drinking excessive amounts of water (which could be an indicator of diabetes) and that he is getting enough potty breaks before rushing to the nearest emergency clinic.

When It’s Time to See a Veterinarian

If your dog is suddenly peeing in the house, especially if it is accompanied by any other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or if there is blood in the urine, you need to take him to the veterinarian. Urinary tract infections, although quite common, can get progressively worse and something like a bladder infection or the more serious bladder stones could potentially be considered a medical emergency. Yes, dangerous, but also likely completely uncomfortable, or even painful, for your precious pet as well.

What Not to Do

• Do not punish your dog: I know it can be frustrating when your fur-friend has an accident in the house, punishing them will likely only exacerbate the problem.
• Don’t yell: For the same reason, yelling at your dog in anger is not going to do any good and will probably make the situation worse.
• Do not feel bad about limiting movement – for now: If your dog typically has full run of the home, using a crate/kennel, at least temporarily, could help. Most dogs, if given the option, will not urinate where they sleep. Placing him in a crate could curb the behaviour. That is, of course, if there is not an underlying medical issue.
• Don’t hesitate to contact your family veterinarian: Although the sudden house urination might be benign, it is always better to be safe than to be sorry. Give your pets doctor a call and see if they feel an examination is needed.

You can learn a lot by observing your pets’ bathroom habits – as un-fun as that may be. Sudden incidents of accidental urination could mean something, as could continuously peeing in the house. Keep in mind, not all pee-pee accidents mean trouble. Sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go. But, the best way to go about it is by watching for any other changes in your dogs potty habits. A quick call to the veterinarians’ office is never a bad idea. Instead of getting upset over the incident, try to discern why it happened. There is likely to be a reason for it, one that will need to be addressed.