What is Dripping Urine?
While it can be annoying and messy that your dog is dripping urine, you need to have your dog examined by your veterinarian. Dripping urine is not necessarily a sign that your dog is suffering from incontinence. There are other possible causes of your dog’s dripping urine, such as submissive urination. Submissive urination usually affects young dogs that are frightened or not confident and they will generally outgrow it. Infection can also cause your dog to drip urine.
Dogs that drip urine constantly may have a medical condition that will require treatment from your veterinarian. Be sure that your veterinarian performs a thorough physical examination and diagnostic testing on your dog to find the cause of your dog’s problem.
Possible causes of your dog dripping urine include:
- Submissive urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Bladder infection
- Excessive water intake
- Spinal cord injury or disease
- Weak bladder sphincter
- Incontinence
Why Dripping Urine Occurs in Dogs
Submissive Urination
Submissive urination usually occurs in young dogs that lack confidence or are fearful. Your dog will exhibit other signs of being submissive such as ears back, head bowed, lack of eye contact and slow, low tail wagging. If your dog is dripping urine as a result of being submissive, do not despair, they will usually outgrow it.
Urinary Tract or Bladder Infection
Urinary tract infection and bladder infection are common causes of dripping urine, especially in adult female dogs. Your veterinarian will be able to determine if your dog has an infection by performing a urinalysis and a urine culture.
Excessive Water Intake
Some dogs will drink large quantities of water and their bladders are unable to hold all of the urine that is created. These dogs will drip urine because they simply cannot hold it in until they get outside. A urinalysis will show diluted urine if they excessively drink water. Many times when your dog drinks large amounts of water, there is an underlying cause such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes, bladder infection or kidney failure.
Spinal Cord Injury or Disease
If your dog has suffered a spinal cord injury or disease, they may not be able to feel when their bladder is full. This then causes them to drip urine. This is generally classified as incontinence.
Weak Bladder Sphincter
There are several factors that can contribute to a weak bladder sphincter. The most common cause is simply old age and generally occurs in senior female dogs. Obesity and a reduction in the sensitivity of the neurological receptors in the sphincter can also cause the sphincter to weaken. This is sometimes referred to as spay incontinence and can be caused by low levels of estrogen.
Incontinence
Incontinence encompasses all other conditions that cause your dog to drip urine. It is the general terminology that veterinarians will use when there is no other medical conditions present causing your dog to drip urine.
What to do if your Dog is Dripping Urine
Even if you suspect your dog is dripping urine because they are submissive, it is still a good idea to have them checked out by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination and will order diagnostic tests such as a urinalysis, urine culture, complete blood count and chemistry panel to determine the cause.
Urinary tract infections and bladder infections will be treated with antibiotics. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the best antibiotic for your dog. You should see an improvement in the dripping urine after a few days of antibiotic treatment but you will still need to finish the medication that was prescribed to ensure that the infection is completely cleared.
If your dog is drinking water excessively, your veterinarian will need to diagnose what is causing the excessive thirst. Once they have discovered the cause of the excessive water intake has been diagnosed and treatments started, you should notice a decrease in the amount of dripping urine.
Spinal cord injuries and diseases that are affecting the bladder’s function may require surgery to slow or stop the dripping urine. Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications that will help with the incontinence that is occurring.
Most dogs that are diagnosed with a weak bladder sphincter are older females. Estrogen and alpha-adrenergic agonists can be prescribed to help maintain the neuroreceptors and increase the pressure on the neck of the bladder to hold the urine within the bladder.
Prevention of Dripping Urine
In most cases of your dog dripping urine, there is a medical condition that is causing your dog’s bladder to not properly function. Seeking immediate veterinary assistance when you notice your dog dribbling urine is imperative to stopping the incontinence.
Submissive urination can also be problematic, even though it is not a medical condition. Your dog should eventually outgrow the behavior, but there are a few things you can do to help your dog be less submissive. Do not lean over your dog, instead drop down to their level when they approach to keep them from feeling threatened.
Cost of Dripping Urine
Treating your dog that is dripping urine can become pricey depending on the diagnosis that your veterinarian gives. Urinary tract infections can cost between $300 and $1000 depending on the severity of the infection. Treating incontinence issues in your dog can range from $400 to $3000 depending on the treatment that is given.
Dripping Urine Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
Recently I’ve noticed incontinence issues with my male lab. The first time was when he was in a deep sleep and dreaming. He started actively peeing in his sleep. Since then I’m seeing him dribble pretty much daily. Thankfully it’s just small drops, but still noticeable.
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Our 15-week-old Mini Aussie Shepherd mix pees as I let her out of her crate. Usually when it happens, she pees on the wood floor just outside the door of her crate, but sometimes she pees inside the crate just before her rear end exits. I’ve tried calming her. I’ve also tried lifting her before she’s had a chance to squat while she’s still inside the crate. Nothing has worked.
I should note that she’s been known to submissive pee upon meeting a new human. And we adopted Elsie’s littermate sister Nina the same day we brought Elsie home. Nina doesn’t have the same issue with peeing upon exiting her separate crate.
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Night dripping urine. I have a (i think) 3 years Yorkie which dripps urine in his sleep. Is this common in Yorkie's? He was given to me by an acquaintance.
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Hi my male husky is 5 and ever since he has been fixed he has dribbled urine what should i do and what could be the possible cause of this?
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My dog is 6 months collie mix and I noticed he has fluid dripping from his penis. It is little drops and there is no color to it. I am wondering if this could be an uti? He was sleep, made some noise, got up and walked around and I noticed the drips. I took him outside to urinate which hesome. When he came back in, he was still dripping some.
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My dog was recently diagnosed with lupus. Today I noticed drops of water in random places on the floor and I just witnessed him standing up after lying on the porch and he was leaking urine. Do I need to get him checked out or will it remedy itself? I’m low income and the stuff with lupus last month and very expensive. However, I do love him and would willingly do all I can for him.
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I have a 5 year old German Shepherd who is not desexed. Over the past 6 month he has been dribbling urine. He did have blood in his urine before this and was treated with antibiotics. He’s well every other way, should I be concerned?
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Hello, our spade female rescue is about 7 or 8 and has had leaking issues getting progressively worse each year. Proin used to work, but does nothing now. The leaking is excessive now & damaging our home & possibly endangering our family. Any other suggestions for a low cost help???
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