Why is my dog suddenly having accidents in the house?

Inappropriate urination is often a medical cry for help rather than a behavioural issue. Conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, or urinary incontinence can make it physically impossible for your dog to "hold it" until they get outside. If your toilet-trained dog starts having accidents, a vet check is essential to rule out underlying issues.

Can I use home remedies to treat a dog's UTI?

While it is tempting to try home fixes, UTIs in dogs are caused by bacteria and require a course of prescription antibiotics to clear. Left untreated, a simple bladder infection can travel up to the kidneys, or predispose to urinary crystal and stone formation, causing much more serious health problems. Always consult your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

What is the best food for a dog with urinary crystals?

If your vet has diagnosed crystals or stones, they will usually recommend a specific prescription urinary diet. These scientifically formulated foods work by precisely balancing minerals like magnesium and phosphorus and adjusting the urine's pH level to help dissolve certain types of crystals and prevent new ones from forming.

How much water should my dog be drinking to prevent bladder issues?

Proper hydration is one of the best ways to "flush" the urinary system and prevent stones. As a general rule, dogs need about 60-80mL of water per kilogram of body weight daily. If your dog is a fussy drinker, try adding some water to their kibble, offering wet food, or using a pet water fountain to encourage them to lap up more fluids.

Are certain breeds more prone to urinary problems?

Yes, genetics can play a role. For example, Dalmatians are uniquely predisposed to urate stones due to the way they metabolise uric acid. Other breeds like Pugs , Bulldogs , and Beagles can also be more susceptible to various types of bladder stones or infections. Knowing your dog's breed risks can help you be more proactive with their health.

Last Updated: 12/01/2026

Urinary Issues in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Is your dog straining or having accidents? From urinary tract infections to bladder stones, we explore common urinary issues in dogs, their symptoms, and the best ways to keep your mate's urinary system flowing smoothly with expert vet advice.

Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read

It can be quite distressing to see your furry friend pacing by the door or straining to go, only for a few drops to appear. Urinary issues are a common reason for vet visits in Australia, and while they can range from a simple infection to more complex bladder stones, they all have one thing in common: they cause significant discomfort for your dog. Understanding the "ins and outs" of your dog's urinary health is the first step in ensuring they stay comfortable and happy. Whether you are dealing with a senior dog leaking while they sleep or a pup with a pesky UTI, there are plenty of ways to support their recovery and prevent future flare-ups.

Understanding the canine urinary system

The urinary system is made up of the bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys.

Functions of the urinary system are:
To remove waste (urine) from the body
Maintain the balance of water and electrolytes
Produce hormones that help maintain blood pressure, produce blood cells and absorbing salt.

Common symptoms of urinary issues

It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of urinary issues and to seek veterinary care.

Straining to urinate
Frequent small urinations
Accidents inside the house
Excessively licking the urinary area
Blood in urine
Crying while urinating
Increased thirst
Cloudy, or discoloured urine
Strong smelling urine
Leaking urine

If you notice any of these signs it is important get your dog checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will examine your dog and may also recommend tests such as a urinalysis, blood tests, and imaging (ultrasound or x-rays) to diagnose the underlying cause of your dog's symptoms.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (or UTI's) are relatively common in dogs, especially female dogs. They occur when bacteria enters the bladder from the external environment. They can also occur in dogs who have bladder or urinary tract stones or crystals, and in dogs with systemic diseases such as diabetes or Cushing's disease.

UTI's can cause inflammation and discomfort in the urinary tract, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and can lead to frequent urination and pain.

To diagnose a urinary tract infection your veterinarian will need to look at a sample of your dog's urine and perform a urinalysis. They may also need to send a sample off to a veterinary laboratory for a culture and sensitivity test to find out what particular bacteria is causing the issue and which antibiotic to prescribe.

UTI's in dogs are treated with antibiotics, and your vet may request another urine sample once your dog has finished taking the antibiotics to ensure the urinary tract infection has cleared up completely.

How to prevent UTIs in dogs

Unfortunately you cannot always stop your dog from getting a urinary tract infection, but some of the things you can do to help prevent one are:

Keep them hydrated by providing lots of clean fresh water to help flush away bacteria. Providing a water fountain for your dog to drink from can help them to drink more water.
Keep them clean! Groom and bath your dog, especially around the urinary opening to help prevent bacteria from entering the urinary system. In between baths, keep it clean with pet wipes.
Feed a healthy, well balanced, nutritional diet.
Make sure to provide your dog with ample opportunities to pee. If your dog is an inside dog, give them regular pee breaks outside.

Bladder stones and crystals

Bladder stones are another common cause of urinary problems in dogs. Crystals form in the urine, and may join up to form stones (uroliths).There are many factors that affect the formation of the crystals, including:

The chemical concentration of the urine
The acidity or alkalinity of the urine
Temperature
Diet
Urinary infections

Although the presence of some urinary crystals can cause problems or indicate an underlying disease process, certain crystals can also be found in normal urine from healthy animals.

The crystals and stones irritate the bladder lining and cause inflammation, pain and discomfort, as well as frequent urination and blood in the urine. In some cases, crystals can lead to a life-threatening obstruction in the urethra, restricting outflow from the bladder, so it is important to get your dog seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible if they are showing any signs of urinary issues.

Some breeds of dog (e.g. Dalmatians and Miniature Schnauzers) are more prone to getting certain types of bladder stones.

How to prevent bladder stones in dogs

Although some cases are unavoidable, there are preventative measures you can take to protect your pet, particularly if they are a breed known to be predisposed to urinary crystals and stones.

1. Feed Premium Food

Always feed a high quality, scientifically formulated diet to your dogs. These premium diets contain carefully controlled levels of minerals, and high quality protein.

2. Hydration

If your dog is hydrated, their urine will be less concentrated, which helps to reduce the formation and growth of crystals. There are a number of ways to increase their water intake, such as feeding wet food and providing running fresh water with a drinking fountain.

3. Keep your dog at a healthy weight

Obesity can also predispose your dog to bladder stones, so keeping them at a healthy weight is essential. If your dog is prone to being a little pudgy, a lower calorie food may help.

4. Keep your dog healthy and treat any underlying conditions or diseases.

Urinary tract infections can lead to bladder stones forming so it is important to take your dog to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment if they are showing signs of a UTI. Some systemic diseases (such as diabetes) can make your dog more likely to get bladder stones as well so it is important to work with your veterinarian to treat these diseases.

Treatment of bladder stones

Once bladder stones form they often require surgery to remove them. If the underlying cause is not addressed after they are removed, crystals will persist in the urine causing stones to build up again.

Usually your veterinarian will recommend feeding a prescription urinary diet as part of your dog's treatment plan. These diets have controlled levels of protein and minerals to limit the building blocks of urinary crystals and stones. They also contain ingredients that optimise urine pH to interrupt stone formation. There are different types of urinary diets that are targeted at different types of crystals and stones, and your veterinarian will recommend the most suitable one.

It's very important that if your vet has prescribed a urinary care diet for your dog, that it is fed exclusively. Any treats, supplements or additional foods fed in combination with the urinary care diet will reduce the effectiveness of the diet.

Managing urinary incontinence

Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of control of urination, and can occur due to:

Hormonal imbalances
Spinal cord injuries
Birth defects
Certain medical conditions

Dogs with incontinence may leak urine when lying down or asleep, and they may also be unable to hold their bladder, and therefore have accidents inside. Urinary incontinence occurs more commonly in middle aged to older spayed female dogs.

In young dogs or puppies incontinence may be caused by a birth defect called ectopic ureters. The ureters carry urine from the kidney to the bladder and if one or both of these does not connect to the bladder but rather connects to the urethra or vagina, it can cause incontinence. This condition can be corrected by surgery.

To diagnose urinary incontinence your vet may carry out tests such as urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests and imaging (ultrasound or x-rays).

Urinary incontinence can be a messy and frustrating problem for dog owners but it is usually treatable with medication or surgery, so if your dog is showing signs of incontinence it is important to have them checked by your veterinarian.

Management of urinary incontinence

You can help to manage your dog's incontinence by:

Regularly providing opportunities for them to pee. Let them outside or take them for a short walk often.
Using doggie nappies or diapers.
Use waterproof pads on their bedding.
Keep them clean. Make sure to clean any urine off your dog's skin to prevent urine scalding and infections.
Give any medications prescribed by your veterinarian.

Bladder tumours in dogs

black and white image of vet holding dogs head in hands

Bladder tumours are another cause of urinary issues in dogs. In some cases they can affect the flow of urine and cause pain and discomfort, as well as frequent urination and blood in the urine.

Bladder tumours may be cancerous, and the most common type of bladder cancer is Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Other tumours that occur less commonly are leiomyosarcomas, fibrosarcomas and other soft tissue tumours.

To diagnose a bladder tumour, your veterinarian will need to do some tests such as a urinalysis, imaging (ultrasound and or x-rays) and blood tests. They also may need to take a biopsy of the tumour to send to the laboratory.

Treatment for bladder tumours may include surgery and/or chemotherapy.

How to prevent bladder tumours

Some bladder tumours may not be able to be prevented but there are some ways to reduce the risks.

Bladder tumours in dogs have been linked to obesity, so it is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight.

Chronic bladder infections and inflammation may also play a role, so working with your veterinarian to prevent and treat these conditions is also important.

Lastly, some breeds of dog are more likely than others to develop bladder tumours.

FAQs

Urinary issues can certainly be a literal "wee" bit of a headache for both you and your dog, but with early detection and the right support, most conditions are highly manageable. By keeping an eye on their habits, ensuring plenty of fresh water is always available, and choosing the right diet, you can help keep their bladder in tip-top shape. If you ever notice changes in your dog's bathroom breaks, a quick trip to the vet is always the best way to get them back to their waggy-tailed selves.