If you have little furry guys that are young and therefore have small bladders your potty-training challenge is to get them to the right “spot” at the right time to take care of business. Inevitably this doesn’t always happen and like me, you’ll have little urine puddles to clean up. Then, finally the day arrives when the sun shines on you and your Pet. They know where to go, they get there in time, and they are able to sleep through the entire night thanks to their larger bladder. Congratulations–it’s time to celebrate!
Occasionally, out of nowhere, though, those urine puddles might sneak up on you. Here, might be few of the reasons why.
- Submissive urinator: Some of us have Pets afflicted by this and the puddles come when the balance in the home is changed or there are other types of stressors that impact these well-intended guys.
- Pet Genetics: For others of us, these issues are related to genetics and find we have a Pet prone to urinary issues. If we’re lucky we’ll soon get our Pet back on the path of health usually after a short term of medications prescribed by your veterinarian based upon lab results. Once they are on their way to health it’s possible that your doctor may recommend a urinary prescription diet food to help with maintenance.
- Crystals and Stones: A few select Pet owners learn their Pet is unique and spontaneously creates crystals and stones in their urine, often due to the way they individually process food through their body. Most of these individuals are always going to create these byproducts of crystals and urinary stones. Again diet change is often a lifestyle change their Pet’s doctor prescribes to lessen the incidence of the unwanted crystals and stones in the urine.
- Urine Marking: Some of us also deal with territorial urine marking inside the home. Territory is territory and when you’re a Pet and have to make your point, urine marking does the job GREAT! Not so great from the point of view of the person sharing the home. Behavior driven issues can be tough to tackle. Working with your veterinarian and even a behavioral specialist can get your home back in harmony since even Pets that are spayed and neutered can decide they need to mark their territory in your house.
- Urinary Incontinence: If you have skated past all these stages, the senior years may deliver another opportunity to force you to have to contend with urine puddles inside your home. We hear about urinary incontinence with people all the time because of products advertised to help people. Senior Pets are just as likely to develop incontinence issues and are no easier for the Pet to deal with. Pets may suffer a similar embarrassment or worry when they have an accident in the home. In addition they may have the added concern of possible punishment for their uncontrollable but seemingly “bad behavior.”
Regardless of your Pet’s urinary woes, help is available. Recovery or management of the problem can vary depending upon the Pet and the cause of the condition.
I, myself, have experienced the gamut of urinary conditions with my Pets: I had a submissive urinating dog all the way from puppy-hood to his later years, who was the happiest, gentlest, most laid back guy but when something impacted his environment or routine he’d struggle. In addition, several of my Pets have been prone to urinary infection and one was on a special kidney prescription diet. Incontinence was also a problem for one of my Pets due to his age and development of abdominal cancer. So far I have avoided having a Pet that needs bladder stone removal surgery, for which I cross my fingers and knock on wood.
Identifying the root of your Pet’s incontinence issue is the first step toward improving their condition and the quality of their life and yours. If you have any questions regarding your Pet’s health have them checked early by your veterinarian to help put them on the path to a recovery.
