Why Is My Dog Peeing On My Bed? Plus, Practical Tips on How to Stop It
It's important to consult your pet's veterinarian with any medical concerns, and before making any changes or adding supplements to your pet's health plan.
Dogs can't communicate with words, so when they want to tell you something, it's not usually so obvious. Sometimes, the message comes in loud barks, soft whimpers, or crazy zoomies. But if you're really unlucky, you'll come home one day, crash into bed, and find a smelly puddle of pee marring your perfectly clean sheets.
No matter how much you love your canine companion, there are very few things as irksome as your dog peeing on the bed. It's wet, stinky, and you'll need to clean it up. But no matter how much you want to, please don't punish or yell at your poop pup. Newsflash: your pet isn't likely to understand your anger and may grow fearful of you as a result.
Instead, spray the stain with a cleaning agent and figure out the root of the problem. So, what is Buddy trying to tell you?
Your Pup's Bathroom Needs Have Been Neglected
Nothing may be wrong, even if there's been a peeing incident. Perhaps, your adult pooch simply never learned all the rules of potty training. Despite the popular belief in old dogs and new tricks, even adult pooches can be housetrained with time and patience.
Another reason for the bed peeing accident may be the lack of ample bathroom breaks. If you've been leaving for long periods without popping in every few hours, it's not so strange to discover a puddle of pee in the house.
Take now that puppies typically need to relieve themselves every two hours, and even older canines should be let out at least three to five times a day.
Dog Anxiety, Stress, or Fear
Stinky accidents like these may be a drag for you, but it's probably worse for little Fido. Peeing and pooping in strange places can be linked to a dog's emotional distress. The reason for their distress can be as easy to identify as thunderstorms or a new house guest, but it can also be as innocuous as a change in the house such as a new piece of furniture.
When dogs are stressed, it can cause them to lose control of their bladder temporarily. If they're scared of something, it's also possible that they're eliminating on the bed because they're too afraid to go to their usual spot. Separation anxiety is also linked to dogs urinating in the house.
Observe your pup closely in the hours after his little accident. If it happens regularly, try to identify potential triggers that might have set him off, such as a loud noise, an unfamiliar face, or you stepping out the door. Treats for relaxation and anxiety relief may help him settle down and feel more at ease, especially at nighttime.
Marking Territory
One of the most common reasons is marking behavior. If your dog is peeing in various places around the house in small amounts, he might be claiming his territory instead of urinating to relieve himself.
While this behavior is more common among male dogs, it's not unheard of among female dogs. Many canines who are threatened or stressed will resort to this behavior, usually as a response to a new arrival in the home, like a baby or another pet. It's also more common among pups that haven't been spayed or neutered.
Medical Reasons
A dog wetting the bed may be cause for a medical concern, so if your pet has made a habit out of it, maybe it's time for a visit to the veterinarian. Incontinence or reduced bladder control is one of the symptoms of urinary tract infection, a painful bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics.
Frequent and uncontrollable elimination can also be indicative of other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, bladder stones, arthritis, and kidney disease.
How To Stop My Dog From Peeing on My Bed
A trip to the vet is highly recommended if the bedwetting accidents are happening frequently. It's best to get a professional opinion to rule out potential diseases and ease your worries. If your dog's anxiety is becoming worse, reaching out to your vet could also help with possible solutions, such as medications to calm a jittery pooch.
House training a puppy takes a bit of time, but it's a must if you want untrained Sparky to stop eliminating indoors. Crate training is a highly recommended method of potty training, offering your pooch a safe sanctuary that's just their own inside the house.
But what if you want a quick fix to your dog treating your bed as his personal urinal? The easiest way to stop your pup from relieving himself at a specific spot is by cleaning the pee with a cleaner like Charlie & Max Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator. A dog will typically make it a habit to keep coming back to his "favorite spot," but a cleaner will mask the scent of his pee and stop him from remembering that spot next time.
The plant-based Charlie & Max Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator is gentle to use but highly effective in eliminating stains and orders on all water-safe surfaces.
Scour the pet-friendly goodies at Charlie & Max, and find new ways of training a happier and healthier dog at home.
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