Column # 13: To Pee or not to Pee, urination in the house

I was asked this week about a cat that has begun to urinate in strange places in the house. She is an indoor-only cat who is well litter trained but suddenly began to pee on her owner’s bed. She had no other symptoms and was bright and happy otherwise. When I asked more about the history, the owner had recently been away and a friend had been coming to feed the cats and play with them twice a day. It turned out that the cat was affected by the change in routine and felt threatened. She wanted to combine her smell with the area in the home that smelt most strongly of her owner. In a way, it’s a huge compliment for her owner, although I was not sure I could convince her of this.

This was a simple case of a change in environment affecting the animal’s behaviour but there are a number of medical issues that could cause or contribute to the problem of inappropriate urination, and these issues become increasingly more common as a pet ages. If you have an adult dog that has begun to behave uncharacteristically, or a young dog that seems to be unable to learn to hold its bladder until it is outside, a medical evaluation by your vet would be a good starting point. Blood in the urine is also a sign that your pet should see your vet.

Some of the more serious underlying conditions that are found in animals that uncharacteristically begin urinating in the home are diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing’s disease (which causes an overproduction of steroids). These conditions will be easily tested for and confirmed or ruled out by your vet. Conditions that are less serious but significantly uncomfortable for the afflicted pet are bladder infections and bladder stones — both of which can be treated and resolved quickly, as long as they have not had a chance to do damage to the internal structures.

Weakening of the bladder and sphincter muscles is a normal part of ageing for many dogs, so finding a puddle of urine where your dog sleeps may indicate incontinence due to age. Incontinence may also be related to illnesses that are not directly associated with the bladder and intestines, like viruses and bacterial infections. Obesity can also affect the urinary system so keeping your pet within the correct weight limits is important.

Any treatment your pet is given will be entirely dependent on the underlying condition that is found. Your vet will provide guidance on medications and behavioural changes required.

Once your vet has ruled out any medical issues, behavioural issues will be looked at in closer detail. Behavioural treatment will be based on whether your pet is marking, losing control when excited or frightened, or intentionally urinating on the floor. You will need to review your original house-training techniques to determine where they might have been lacking. Going back to basic puppy house-training is the first step.

If you do not believe this to be an issue of house-training — your pal was predictable until recently — you will need to review all of the changes that have occurred in your animal’s life. Has there been a move, a change in routine or schedule, decorating, a change in diet, more people in the home — guests or new family members, or conversely, loss of a family member — a new pet or the loss of a pet? These are just some of the issues that can cause a dog or cat to feel anxious, and anxiety can lead to inappropriate behaviours, including urinating in the house.

For more information on this or other veterinary issues, please contact Dr Lucy at cedartreevets@gmail.com