Dr Liesel van der Merwe is a small animal medicine specialist. Send her your questions: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dr Liesel van der Merwe

Dogs urinate in the house – male dogs out of ego and macho-ness, marking their territory. The odd female dog will also “lift her leg” and mark, but thankfully in general, urinating is less of a problem in the female of this species. 

So, there is urinating indoors for behavioural – normal and abnormal reasons – and then the accidents in the house due to underlying disease conditions. Incontinence refers specifically to a weak bladder where urine leaks out during sleeping or lying as the bladder fills. There will be wet patches where you dog has been sleeping. This is common in sterilised bitches and responds to either medical or surgical management.

Medical management is by hormone supplementation to tighten the neck or outflow tract of the bladder. Surgery involves various techniques very similar to what are used in women who experience varying degrees of urinary incontinence as they age.

Incontinence in very young puppies is generally due to ectopic ureters – basically incorrect transplantation of the kidney tubes in the bladder. This generally needs surgical correction and occurs in males and females, but is more symptomatic in female dogs.

Then you get the situation where your dog starts leaving puddles in the house at night. In general this occurs because they are not able to concentrate their urine as well as before due to kidney problems or other diseases affecting the kidneys. This is also an indication to visit the vet.

These dogs will also be drinking more water to compensate for the increased fluid lost due to increased volume of urine. In some cases the increased volume of urine and fuller bladder will result in a dog previously continent, but on the edge, becoming incontinent. The incontinence will usually resolve for a while if the urine volume decreases, but eventually these dogs become symptomatic.

The final cause for inappropriate urination is called urge incontinence where dogs have cystitis and then the bladder irritation causes an urge to constantly urinate, even though the bladder is basically empty. They will also experience a burning discomfort. This occurs with infection and inflammation from bladder stones.

In cats it can occur due to stress. So, there will be multiple small patches of often bloody urine accompanied by increased discomfort and straining whilst urinating. It is very important, especially in male animals, to make sure the bladder is not blocked. The starting must produce urine. If they are straining without urine being produced, go see your vet as soon as possible.

Cats are slightly different and abnormal urination onto flat surfaces – chairs, cushions, pillows – apart from the odd marking of vertical surfaces, can often be a behavioural problem very difficult to resolve.

When there is excessive marking: Make sure no other cats are getting in. Close off access to the house to other cats when you’re not there and wash curtains and upholstery. I lift the curtain up on the rails for several months to break the cycle. There are also special cleaners available to remove the pheromone smells. 

Make sure there are sufficient litter boxes available. In wet weather, give outdoor cats dry sand somewhere if they are finicky. A stressed cat, especially in multi-cat households or with strange cats in the environment, will develop stress cystitis. Environmental modification and prescription diets with anxiolytic supplements are available and are effective here.

With my macho male dogs, I’ve resorted to carpets which fit into the washing machine and throws on the upholstery . . . and I’ve treated pegs and elastic bands. We have good weeks and bad weeks and yet I still think my pets don’t rule my life.