Puppy Mats: Tips for Managing Urinary Incontinence in Dogs | Mednet Direct

1. Puppy Mats: Tips for Managing Urinary Incontinence in Dogs There are lots of things you can do to manage urinary incontinence in dogs. Caring for a dog that has urinary incontinence can be rough (pun intended). Not only do you have to worry about your dog’s health and wellness, but you also have to worry about the state of your home. No one wants to have to deal with frequent stains and smelly odors, and in our last blog, we went over a few products that can help to make managing urinary incontinence in your dog easier. Keep reading to learn more experts tips for managing urinary incontinence in dogs.

2. Help your dog lose some weight. If your dog is obese, you should know that obesity plays a huge role in incontinence in dogs, and in multiple ways. Obesity increases your dog’s risk for developing diseases that cause incontinence — like diabetes mellitus and kidney disease — as well as infections that cause incontinence — like bladder or urinary tract infections. Furthermore, excess fat in the abdomen can make it difficult for your dog’s bladder to fill as it normally would. Helping your dog lose weight could help them gain more control over their bladder; plus, it will help them stay healthier overall. But, before taking steps to help your dog lose weight, like exercising them more or changing their diet, talk to your veterinarian.

3. Restrict your dog’s access to water. Before we get into the details of restricting your dog’s access to water, it’s important to note that you should NEVER do this without first talking to your veterinarian. If your dog has been drinking more water than normal, it may be due to a disease, like diabetes or kidney disease, and restricting your dogs water could be extremely dangerous. Additionally, it’s incredibly important for your dog to be able to access water most of the time so that they can stay hydrated. If you’ve consulted your veterinarian, and you’re sure that your dog has enough water to stay hydrated, restricting your dog’s access to water overnight could help to prevent accidents if your dog has a weak bladder. Try removing your dog’s water bowl when bedtime draws near. Another option is to empty the water bowl and put a couple of ice cubes in it for the night. This way, your dog can get a little bit of a drink if they are thirsty, but they don’t get enough water to have an accident. Take your dog outside more frequently. As your dog’s bladder gets weaker, and they have less control over it, you’ll need to increase the number of times you take your dog outside to relieve themselves and ensure that they are going outside more frequently. You’ll especially want to make it a point to take them outside after meals, after naps, first thing in the morning and right before bed at night. Install a doggy door. If you have a backyard and you’re not worried about your dog getting into any trouble outside by themselves, installing a doggy door gives your dog more access to your yard when they need it. This will allow your dog to go outside when they need to, rather than having to wait for you to let them out. Give your dog frequent baths. Whether your dog is completely incontinent or just leaks sometimes, it’s important to make sure that you keep them properly clean. If the urine is allowed to sit on your dog’s skin, it can irritate and even burn them. This is one of the reasons why using doggy diapers isn’t the best idea, because the dog is forced to sit with the urine right up against the skin until the diaper is removed. Make sure that you are bathing your incontinent dog frequently, particularly after they’ve had an accident. Gain peace of mind by shopping Mednet Direct for the best-ever puppy mats. We hope that these tips will help you better manage your dog’s urinary incontinence. But sometimes, no matter how many precautions you take, accidents can still happen. Rest easy in knowing that your home stays properly protected by shopping with us at Mednet Direct for the best, most-absorbent puppy mats on the market. We offer a variety of size options to choose from, and every order is backed by our 100- percent satisfaction guarantee.