My old dog is peeing and pooping inside. Health issue or dementia?

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sometimes as a dog ages they develop something called cognitive dysfunction (like dementia) where they forget their training. This may be the cause of Tot's accidents. A supplement like Senilife may help withi this. Pain and arthritis can also lead to accident in an older dog as they have a harder time going outside and positioning to go to the bathroom. Sometimes urinary tract infection, internal medical issues or digestive problems may also cause accidents in the house. A visit to your Veterinarian may help to sort out what the cause of Tot's accidents are. Until you are able to take him to the vet you may want to take him outside more frequently to avoid accidents.

Sudden changes in behavior can sometimes signal a health issue, and accidents in an elderly dog can be caused by a number of things. Bladder infections can cause sudden accidents in the house, while changes to the muscles and nerves around the bladder may lead to incontinence-type accidents with dribbling or small puddles happening. Cognitive changes in elderly dogs (similar to human dementia) can also sometimes cause a pet to "forget" their training such as potty training, leading to accidents. It is a good idea to schedule a veterinary exam to see if any of these could be a possible cause and to find a treatment plan that helps.

At her age there are several things it can be. Your vet can collect a urine sample to check for a urinary tract infection. They can always draw some blood to check her kidneys and blood sugar and for Cushings disease. All these can cause an increase in drinking and urination which will lead to accidents. If all of that is normal, than she may be getting incontinent and they have medication for that also!

Hi there. So sorry to here that Willy is having this issue. The short answer to your question is yes. He could have dementia. That being said, he could also have a problem with his liver, his kidneys or other organs that may be causing him to have accidents in the house. Another thing to keep in mind is that he may have arthritis that could be causing him to not want to walk to go outside to use the bathroom. It is good that you are taking him for a vet exam. Keep an open mind and be prepared that the vet will likely do a thorough exam and then recommend at least some lab work to check Willy's kidney/liver function and they may even recommend x-rays and/or an abdominal ultrasound. I sure hope they can figure out the root cause of Willy;s issue. Best wishes to you both. Dr. Amber

Many times when an older dog starts to have urinary or fecal accidents there is usually a health issue going on. Sometimes this behavior is pain related. Sometimes it's related to a dementia like condition called cognitive dysfunction. It's definitely a good idea to take Ricky to see the veterinarian so they can determine what might be the cause. There are pain medications and supplements that can be prescribed if necessary. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope this issue resolves quickly!

This can be a sign of canine cognitive disfunction, which is similar to Alzheimers in humans. As dogs age, their mental capacity begins to diminish, and they can begin to have behaviors they didn't previously due to this. I would have Gemini seen by your vet tomorrow for a health check. Medication may help him if he does have canine cognitive dysfunction, and you can discuss that with your vet.

The first thing to do is have her checked by the veterinarian. It's possible there is an infection or other abnormality that is causing the behavior. Sometimes there is a neurological problem and the pet is not aware of what is happening. Dementia can also cause these symptoms. Some conditions have treatment with medications. Since Khloe can't talk and tell you what is happening, it's best to play it safe. I hope this helps.