Why does a dog wet the bed?

Why does a dog wet the bed? We know that one of the most unexpected experiences that people who have pets live; is to discover that their dog has urinated his bed, or worse, in our bed; especially when this behavior occurs suddenly. If you’ve already been through this experience, you’re probably wondering, why does a dog wet the bed? It is important that you know that this situation may be associated with a health problem.

For that reason, it is necessary that, if your dog is constantly urinating the bed; you go to the veterinarian to rule out any disease. Remember that a timely diagnosis considerably increases the chances that your dog has an optimal recovery.

However, in this article we will help you understand the main reasons that explain why a dog wet the bed; or in unusual places in the home. In addition, we will explain why it is not correct to punish a dog when it urinates at home. Read on to know more about your furry best friend so you can help him properly.

Causes why a dog urinates at home

When you observe that your dog urinates in inappropriate places inside the house, such as the bed; you may think that he is marking his territory; but this is not always the case.

Urination is an absolutely natural and necessary act; through which the dog empties his bladder and removes toxins from his metabolism. During their walks, dogs usually urinate not only to relieve their physiological needs; but also to “make themselves known” to other dogs. In addition, some dogs can urinate involuntarily when they feel fear or stress; because they lose control over their emotions and reactions.

Therefore, it is not correct to punish a dog when it urinates at home; especially if we do not know the cause of this behavior. If you notice that your furry begins to urinate in unusual places or does so involuntarily. We recommend you go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible to verify his state of health and rule out any pathology.

How to know if a dog urinates to mark territory at home?

The dog’s motivation to urinate out of necessity or fear is completely different from that of marking territory. For example: a dog that urinates at home because it has a full bladder will make a large pool of urine; while
that, to mark territory the dog will produce small amounts of urine and on high surfaces. However, if your dog starts urinating several times in small amounts suddenly; he may have a urinary tract infection and therefore, it is very important that you consult with a veterinarian.

You should also keep in mind that if you were away from home all day and when you return you find a large pool of urine, most likely your dog can not hold until you took him for a walk. That’s not something you should worry about too much; but we recommend that you take it into account for your future outings. Try to modify your schedules so that you don’t leave your furry friend alone for so long; you may even seriously consider hiring a professional dog walker. Another alternative you can consider is to teach your dog to urinate in a specific place in your house. For example, in a corner of the yard or garden. Some people who live in small flats and do not have access to an open space, choose to put newspaper in the bathroom and teach their pet to urinate and defecate there.

Training is key to creating good habits in a dog

It is ideal that these habits are learned by the animal since it is a puppy; but if you decided to adopt an adult dog, you can still educate him to urinate during walks on the street or in the garden of your house. You just need more dedication and patience to learn the new habits. In this case, you can consult with an animal training expert.

Another factor that can cause a dog to urinate in bed or inappropriate places is the presence of a new pet in the home. Faced with this situation, the dog will try to make it very clear to the new member of the family that you are his property; therefore, it will mark your bed, and some other surfaces or furniture in the house.

Have you come to the conclusion that your dog urinates to mark territory in the home?

Remember that punishing or scolding your dog are counterproductive and dangerous methods, since they expose the animal to a high level of stress and can lead to negative and even aggressive reactions.

Many dogs urinate in bed for medical problems

As we mentioned before, another cause of why a dog wets the bed is the presence of a medical condition. Your dog may be suffering from a hormonal deficit, neurological problems or other pathologies that lead to urinary incontinence. Some dogs even urinate on top of their guardians, because they are unable to hold urine.

Other diseases that cause your dog to urinate in bed, originate in the urinary tract, such as various infections, cystitis, kidney failure, etc. In addition, this type of condition can cause a lot of pain in your pet, so they do not want to move and end up urinating in inappropriate places.

Let’s not forget that there are dogs that can suffer from a motor problem, which makes it very difficult for them to move to another place and end up urinating in their own bed. This situation is very common in elderly dogs, which can also develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome, better known as “canine Alzheimer’s”. It is a natural consequence of aging that leads to various alterations of the nervous system and the decline of cognitive, motor and sensory functions. These alterations are reflected in the behavior of the dog, which can cause unusual behaviors, such as urinating in their bed or in inappropriate places, even behavioral problems and aggressiveness occur.

Other possible causes of why a dog urinates in bed

Here are other possible causes of a dog uying in bed.

Difficulty accessing the outside of the home.

If your dog is used to urinating outside the home, in the garden or yard, you should ensure that he can easily access the outside to prevent him from urinating inside the house.

Removals and sudden changes in your environment.

Dogs are very sensitive animals and stick to a routine to feel safe and avoid exposing themselves to unnecessary dangers. Therefore, sudden changes in your routine, habits or environment can cause unusual behaviors and even behavioral problems. If you’re thinking about moving or renovating your home, remember that your best friend will need his own time to get used to this new reality.

Poor distribution of the walks.

Your dog’s walks are a very important part of his routine, so they should have a balanced frequency and duration. It is usually recommended that every dog do between 2 and 3 walks a day, of at least 30 minutes each. In this way, they can expend energy, release tension, socialize and realize their physiological needs calmly.

Loneliness or lack of attention.

Some dogs, when they feel lonely or ignored, may engage in unusual behaviors to get their attention, such as urinating at home, barking excessively, or destroying household objects. To prevent these behaviors, remember to set aside time especially to go for a walk, play and give love to your furry.

Fear or stress.

As we have mentioned, dogs can urinate involuntarily when experiencing a context of high fear or stress. If your dog is afraid of fireworks or loud noises, he can hide or take refuge in his bed and end up urinsuring because of the fear that overwhelms them and makes them lose control over their emotions and physiological reactions.

Regardless of the cause of this behavior, remember that it is not right to punish a dog when urinating at home. Negative methods that employ violence in any of its possible forms are counterproductive and dangerous, as they subject the dog to emotions and contexts harmful to his physical and mental health. In addition, when feeling threatened, a dog can adopt a defensive posture and act aggressively to protect itself, being able to hurt itself and everyone around it.