Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
Written By Darlene Stott
Published: 05/26/2017Updated: 07/07/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Bowel Incontinence in Dogs - Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Bowel Incontinence?
Similar to humans, dogs’ muscles tend to get weaker as they age, and that includes the anal muscles. In addition, there are many illnesses that can create a situation that makes it difficult for your dog to control his bowels. Any type of gastrointestinal problem can also cause bowel incontinence. However, you should have the veterinarian check your dog if the incontinence goes on longer than a few days. In addition, if you notice other signs such as vomiting, appetite loss, increased body temperature, or any other abnormal behavior, let the veterinarian know right away.
Bowel incontinence is common in older dogs from lack of muscle tone or from a medical problem such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colitis, liver or kidney disease, or Cushing’s disease. Some other illnesses may cause your dog not to want to go outside to have a bowel movement such as arthritis, blindness, and some cognitive disabilities. No matter what you suspect the reason is, if your dog is having accidents in the house you should make an appointment to bring him to see a veterinary care provider.
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Symptoms of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
The signs of bowel incontinence are caused by your dog not being able to control his bowel movements and may include one or more of the following:
  • Diarrhea
  • Defecating while walking or sleeping
  • Dragging hind end on the rug or floor
  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Loss of muscle tone in the anal area
  • Aggravation
  • Inability to wag tail
Types
Reservoir incontinence is the inability to hold the fecal matter, giving the dog a frequent urge to defecate. Pain may also cause an unwillingness to defecate properly.
  • Non-nervous system-related anal sphincter incontinence can be from trauma, infection, or fistulas
  • Nervous system-related anal sphincter incontinence includes involuntary dribbling when barking or coughing, loss of muscle contracture, lack of muscle tone, and paralysis
Causes of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
  • Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that stops the muscles from contracting; the nerves that control the anal sphincter no longer are able to communicate with the brain, which causes incontinence
  • Tumor of the spine can cause pain or paralysis
  • Parasites such as cryptosporidium and trichomoniasis can cause muscular damage from prolonged diarrhea
  • Anal fistula is a chronic lesion in the anal area
  • Viruses like parvovirus that cause diarrhea
  • Anal sac infection from previous injury or condition
  • Paralysis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Muscle wasting (atrophy)
Diagnosis of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
The veterinarian will do a complete physical examination on your dog including vital signs, palpation, and auscultation. Laboratory tests will be performed, which usually includes blood tests, fecal examination, and urinalysis. Radiographs such as abdominal x-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans may be performed to rule out obstructions and other abnormalities. An endoscopy and colonoscopy may give the veterinarian a better look at what is going on in your dog’s system.
Treatment of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
The treatment of bowel incontinence will depend on the reason it is happening.
Infections
For infections of any kind, the veterinarian will most likely give your dog an antibiotic by injection.
Muscle Problems
Treatment for muscular degeneration or wasting will likely include medication or surgery to repair the sphincter and anal muscles in that area.
Parasites
Treatment of an infestation by parasites may include antiparasitic medications.  
Spinal Issues
Chiropractic care, acupuncture, aquatherapy, or physiotherapy may be suggested for spinal problems.
Tumors
A tumor of the spine may need to be removed surgically and may include physical therapy as well.
Anal Fistulas
Anal fistulas and other damage to the rectal area may be managed medically, but may need to be repaired surgically.
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Recovery of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
Recovery is usually very optimistic unless it turns out to be a tumor or paralysis, which may take longer to treat. Patience, as your dog cannot help his condition, and perseverance in the event he needs a bit of retraining after the treatment, are both important parts of the recovery process. Consult your veterinarian if you need guidance in dealing with the effects of bowel incontinence on both you and your pet.
Bowel Incontinence Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Weimaraner
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10 Years
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35 found this helpful

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35 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Fecal Incontinence
I have a rescued weimaraner. She hold her urine to go outside. However, she has periodically had severe diarrhea which have required medication and is now on a probiotic that assist with firming her stools. However, she has still on 3 occasions had fecal accidents in her sleep and soiled her dog bed. She also has accidents even after using the bathroom outside.
Feb. 21, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
35 Recommendations
Hello, so dogs will have this issue as they get older. Probiotics help some. Also feeding a sensitive stomach dog food will help. If she continues to have diarrhea, it would be best to see your vet to make sure that there is not anything medically wrong.
Feb. 22, 2021
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Pomeranian Weiner mix
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One Year
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My dog just started having bowel incontinence today it happened 3 xs .. why wld thys all of a sudden started happening
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I think, by bowel incontinence, you might mean that your dog is having diarrhea and is vomiting. That could happen with parasites, infectious diseases, or if they eat things they're not supposed to and they have gi upset. If your dog is vomiting and is unable to control his bowels, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can look at your dog, see what might be wrong, and let you know what treatment needs to happen. I hope that your dog feels better soon.
Sept. 27, 2020
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German Shorthaired Pointer
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Two Years
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4 found this helpful

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4 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Pooped In Cage, Threw Up Small Amount Of Bike, Peed While Looking Out The Window
My dog isn’t acting strange besides that she pooped in her cage today while we were gone. She only does this when she has diarrhea and has an accident. Some of the poop in the cage was formed, it was soft but formed. Also she then threw up a small amount of bike with one piece of grass an hour later. Then she was looking outside and say a neighbor and she peed while standing up. Her crotch is dripping pee.
July 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. She may have a bladder infection, or a problem with her bladder or urinary tract. Those can cause GI upset in some dogs. It would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine her, see what might be the cause of what's going on, and get treatment for her so that she feels better soon.
July 21, 2020
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Boston Terrier
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Lelo
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5 Years
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7 found this helpful

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7 found this helpful

I am fostering a sweet 5 year old boston terrier/frenchie mix, rescued from a puppy mill. She was overbred causing complete incontinence, both bowel and bladder. Please, if you know of any specialists that could help her I would love to see if its possible. Currently she wears a diaper, and it is very difficult. Thank you
Aug. 30, 2018
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Weimaraner
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Bennie
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11 Years
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39 found this helpful

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39 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Incontinence
Slight Gait Issues
For the past few weeks, Bennie has started leaving little surprise poop nuggets around the house. He does not seem to even know he is doing it, and otherwise has his normal poop patterns (tells us when he has to go, holds it fine when we aren't home, etc). For his whole life he has been an excellent dog for housebreaking with very few accidents in many years. Recently, maybe a couple of times a week, we will find a small poop, like the size of a golf ball or smaller, that has somehow "slipped out". One time even in bed. It seems very random. He also has had some other issues that we have not yet resolved, so maybe they are related. 2.5 years ago he had cervical vertebrae surgery as he was having gait issues and it was a disc and a spur (if I remember correctly). He had seemed to recover from that, but recently I have been suspicious of similar symptoms to what we saw then (still to get more tests done for that). Could these be related? We put him on tramadol as he seemed in some pain and also carprophen as it may be some inflammation (vet recommended that one).
July 6, 2018
39 Recommendations
Finding faecal balls around the house and in his bed may be due to a few factors like faecal incontinence which may be from a spinal issue, however another possible cause may be due to constipation with the odd ‘nugget’ sneaking out especially if it is hard in consistency; other issues may be with anal glands, tumours, age among other causes. You may try feeding a little plain canned pumpkin with his food to make defecation easier which may help if there is some constipation but ideally you should have your Veterinarian examine him to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 7, 2018
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Bijon
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Emma
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14 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

Emma is a 14 year old Bijon. She has a very difficult case of diabetes. She is deaf, blind due to cataracts and has many bowel accidents while sleeping. She is also losing strength in her hind legs. She has ear infections and eye infections and the vet said borderline Cushing disease. Is it time. I take her to the vet constantly. This is so cruel.
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Shepherd heeler
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Sam
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10 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Fecal Incontinence.
Our 10 yr old shepherd mix Sam, began Fecal incontinence 3 yrs ago. For a couple yrs the poop would shoot out whenever he was agitated, barking crazily. Then we found poops in his bed in the mornings. Now we are finding poops randomly. Our vet has tried acupuncture. He eats 4Health salmon & potato, fed twice daily. I also give him a spoonful of coconut oil on food 3-4 times a week. At times when taking a poop he
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Miniature Schnauzer
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Onyx
dog-age-icon
11 Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea, Wight Loss, Blind
Our 11 yr old miniature schnauzer develop a very severe case of diarrhea. We took her to the vet and after meds, and several changes in dog food we thought the issue was finally resolved. It was determined that our dog had to go on a low-fat diet. The solution was short-lived or should I say partially resolved. Our dog lost a lot of weight and don't know if it's related but soon after all this began she started to lose her vision too. We increased her intake from 1 cup a day to two cups a day which has helped in her putting on weight but she is still very thin and trail looking, and very quickly (seemed almost like overnight) lost all her vision. Diarrhea continues to be an issue and she is now unable to hold it until we get her to the dog run. She goes anytime and anywhere she has the urge. She is crated at night, nothing new she has always been crated at night, but she now defecates in her crate. Whereas before she would let us know she has to go outside. I guess that is also a concern, she no longer lets us know she has to go. We have started to restrict her to a single room and have lined the room with pee pads. But as you can imagine the odor is horrendous even worse her urine also smells rotten. Are we in denial, are we keeping her longer than we should?
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