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My spayed dog pees in her sleep. Should I be worried and see a vet?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 10 months old | 70 lbs
My dog has recently peed while sleeping. This has happened in the past, maybe 5 times total in the past year. She has also been spayed just maybe 2 years ago, and I did some research and apparently it's quite common for spayed females to pee in their sleep sometimes. So, is this something I should worry about? Her behavior is completely normal, nothing strange, no diet change.
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on February 7th, 2019
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on May 10th, 2017
Sometimes urinary incontinence can be caused by a lack of estrogen in spayed female dogs. If she has been reassessed for an infection and the tests are normal then I would consider incontinence as a probable cause for the leakage. Talk to your veterinarian about trying a trial of hormonal medications. Otherwise you may want to perform another urinalysis and look for crystals or stones. If she is still showing signs of crystals you may want to consider putting her on a veterinary urinary diet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 11th, 2020
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Kennedy. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. She will be examined and her urine will be tested. This will look for signs of an infection, kidney disease or bladder stones. Blood work may be recommended as well. If the testing is normal, then she likely has a condition known as hormone responsive incontinence. This is common in middle aged spayed female dogs. In this case, there are medication options available to help her. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 20th, 2018
Your dog could be suffering from a UTI, polyps or a bladder stones or a tumor. This could also be old-age related or due to lack of estrogen.
It is necessary to rule out as many causes in order to find the correct treatment that works.
You will need to take your girl to your veterinarian for a thorough exam, and a urinalysis. UTI's are usually treated with antibiotics, bladder stones would likely need to be removed if on the larger side, and a tumor may need special treatment or surgery. If she suffers from estrogen-dependent incontinence there are several medications that work very well in controlling this.
Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 12th, 2019
Hello. Having urinary accidents while sleeping is usually caused by a decrease in muscle strength at the neck of the bladder & is fairly common in spayed female dogs. Most respond to a medication, either Proin or Incurin. Not being able to have a bowel movement could indicate she is constipated, & if she becomes blocked enough, this could result in vomiting. A severe enough urinary tract infection can cause her to not only leak urine, but possibly vomit too. It sounds like it might be best to have Skye evaluated by your veterinarian in case she does need antibiotics are some other treatment to help her. I hope all is well soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful