Animal Diagnostic Clinic

Why does my dog still have accidents in the house?

Published: May 14, 2012

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When you are raising puppies and housebreaking them, you probably expect some accidents here and there as they learn what is acceptable. But when puppy training is over and your dog is still eliminating in the house, there may be a more serious underlying issue to blame.

Urination and defecation in the house can be caused by a number of issues. If the canine is suffering from some type of food intolerance or an illness that causes diarrhea in dogs, it may have accidents in the home because it cannot control its bowels. If your dog is having diarrhea for an extended period of time, you should bring it to the veterinarian. VCA Animal Hospitals reports that bacterial and viral infections, parasites, tumors or issues with diet can cause diarrhea. Urination inside the house may be caused by a urinary tract infection or other issue with the dog's bladder that causes incontinence.

If your adult dog is suddenly having accidents in the home and there is no clear medical cause behind it, it might be a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed. According to DogChannel.com, many dogs experience excitement urination. This may occur when you first walk in the door and greet your pooch, or when it is frightened by something. This issue is generally not under the dog's control, but you can help by making greetings low-key and talking to your vet about ways to reduce your dog's anxiety if that is the trigger. 

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