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Why is my dog licking her private area and peeing herself at night?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
My pet is a 1 1/2 year old shi tzu who constantly licks her vaginal area and pees on herself when she gets too excited. I've taken her to the vet for this, i realized this all happen after she got spayed but the doctors always told me the same that "she's fine". But today at 4am my pet woke me up crying and I woke up grabbed her and she was fine but I noticed it was wet right under her and she was also wet. So she peed on herself while sleeping but it didn't look or smell like her usual pee
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 14th, 2019
Licking the vaginal area excessively could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or vaginitis.
A dog urinating in their sleep could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence. An infection, kidney disease, or an endocrine abnormality could change the appearance or smell of her urine.
Many dogs urinate when they are excited and that part is totally normal.
I would recommend taking her into her veterinarian. They will likely recommend a urinalysis to start.
I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on January 11th, 2018
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tizzy!
I would have her urine checked for a urinary tract infection. Bacterial UTI's can cause dogs to feel urgency and burning and thus have accidents or lick a lot. Another possibility is urinary incontinence. This is leaking of urine when the dog is at rest due to weakening of the urinary sphincter. It is more common in spayed dogs. If she has a UTI then your Vet will likely prescribe antibiotics. If her urine is normal they may consider a medication to help prevent leaking of urine (Prion). Also since she is intact, I'd want to have your Vet check to be sure she doesn't have a uterine infection.
I hope this helps and I wish Tizzy the very best!1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 9th, 2019
Yes, this can be a sign of a UTI. Feed Nala canned food and add water to it to flush her bladder. Have her seen by a vet on Monday. Take her into an ER vet immediately if you see blood in her urine, she becomes lethargic, and/or anorexic. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on May 1st, 2020
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The skin sore likes like urine scalding, possibly from urinary tract infection or urine incontinence. The investigation should start with urine sample analysis - it is easy, quick and gives instant answer if the dog has urinary tract infection or not. If the urine analysis comes back normal, Lucky should have a blood test to check her kidneys function. If that is normal too, she should be started on medications for urine incontinence, which does happen to some neutered female dogs. Please, get in touch with your local vet and discuss the investigation options. In the meantime, apply twice daily a baby rash cream on the sore area
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful