My 13yr. old dog is using the house as it’s toilet.?
My family has a 13 yr. old dog that has recently started to poop and occasionally pee in the house. This is a dog that used to be able to hold “it” for hours. Now she can barely get up to go outside, but still manages. She can go outside to do her stuff, then come in the house and poop an hour later. I’m really getting tired of being surprised with poop every day. Other than her normal “old age” ailments, she is ok…not active at all. Mostly lays around, she is overwight and is going blind and deaf, and has arthritis. But is still a part of the family. Anyone have any ideas as to what can be done about the new potty habits?
She is becoming incontinent. That happens to a lot of older dogs. There is medication that will help. They also have doggie diapers that you can get, available at PetCo, PetSmart or most pet supply stores.
You should have the vet check her out for other possible reasons.
It may sound cruel, but she is getting to the point that it would be more humane to put her “to sleep.” dogs can’t tell you what is wrong, so they show you by their actions. If she is going deaf and blind, is overweight with arthritis, and is pooping all over, her systems are shutting down, rather quickly. Soon she will not eat or drink, and at that point it is really cruel to keep her around. Prepare the family for it quickly, and do the right thing for her comfort. She is over 90 years old now.
I’m sorry.
unfortunately from my experience it only gets worse. once they start this behaviour as a “senior” dog it never improves. try confining to one room when it is alone. they have doggy diapers i never have used on my dogs.
get doggy diapers
I guess I’m a bit offended by the comments from people advocating that you euthanize her.
What I’m hearing from you is that you’re unhappy about the messes in the house…. Not that her life has become constant pain and its time for her to die..
please forgive me if I’m misinterpreting
You need to take her out more often. Restrict her access to only certain parts of the house. The inability to hold it.. the sudden “having” to go now(!) are all a part of the aging process. Frankly, this is a good time to learn about love and tolerance of the aged… because hopefully you too (as well as your parents etc) will eventually reach that stage.
Its too bad about her being overweight as this was not her choice to make… and it just increases her difficulties at her age.
I am sorry that this is happening to your dog – it is truly heartbreaking to see. Speak to your vet, maybe there is something that he/she can do.
This happened to my dog too. She would walk thru the house and poop would come out or she would poo in her sleep- she didn’t even know, so she couldn’t stop it.
Does she potty in just one spot? My dog did and I just put down pads and towels that I could discard or wash.
For me it was about love and acceptance as she grew older. I felt it was my responsibility to make her as comfortable and happy as possible at the end of her life.
Boy you’re not very compassionate, are you? I hope when you become old and frail that you end up being cared for by someone like you!
Have you even made the effort to take her to the vet? Sure, older dogs can be incontinent (which is embarassing to them so be kind), but she may have a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). UTIs hurt! Your vet can prescribe antibiotics if needed.
A checkup will also go a long way in helping her be more comfortable and live happier last years. Has she had her teeth cleaned? Any sore or infected teeth? Get a board-certified vet to check – not a cursory glance by a general practitioner. When our general practitioner didn’t ’see’ anything, the board-certified dental vet found a broken tooth with two exposed roots – OW! As soon as that was fixed, our elderly pet was a lot happier!
A vet can also prescribe meds if she has any arthritis so she will be much more comfortable. Imagine if your bones hurt all the time. Since it hurts her to move, it’s no wonder she is overweight. Would YOU want to be active if every time you tried to get up you had sharp pain?
Don’t procrastinate. It’s the least you should do for her! If you can afford a cell phone, pizza or new shoes, you can afford to do this for her. Get a second job if you have to, but get her the care she deserves. Remember, it is her RIGHT BY LAW to receive proper medical care and if you deny it, that is abuse.
Wow! Animal_artwork and D have said everything I was thinking when I read your question, so all I can say is “ditto” to both!