Why Does My Dog Pee on My Bed? (& How to Stop It)

You return home after a long and tiring day. You get ready to settle in the bed, only to find the sheets wet from your dog’s pee. Understandably, this can be frustrating for you. The pee can stain and ruin your bed. Moreover, if not cleaned properly, the urine smell will attract the pet to pee in the same place.

If it is a new pet, you need to focus on house training to prevent the dog from peeing inside. It will need constant supervision, training, and positive encouragement. But why does your house-trained dog suddenly start peeing inside? Is it purposely trying to infuriate you? Is it a revenge tactic on their end?

No, your dog is not trying to get back at you. There could be issues with its routine, behavior, and health. For example, a urinary tract infection is one of the common reasons the dog could end up peeing inside the house.

The article will explore the possible reasons for the query, why does my dog pee on my bed, and how to deal with the behavior.

Why Does My Dog Pee on My Bed? How to Stop It?

Why Does My Dog Pee on My Bed
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A pet that is not house-trained will pee and poop wherever it pleases. Emotional reasons like excitement or fear can cause the dog to dribble a bit of urine. Then, there are medical conditions that can cause the pet to involuntarily pee or poop.

Let us look at common reasons your dog may pee in your bed.

1. Your Dog is in the Potty Training Phase

Your Dog is in the Potty Training Phase
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If your dog has not been house trained, it is bound to have peeing accidents inside the house. It can pee on the carpet, on the sofa, or on your bed. Any soft, cozy, absorbent place may seem fine to the dog.

The pet is yet to learn what places are okay and not okay to pee and poop in. The issue is more common in puppies. According to PetMD, puppies typically take 4 to 6 months to be house trained. But in some, puppies can take as long a year.

So, until the dog is fully house trained, you might have to deal with such peeing accidents once in a while.

Also, puppies have a limited capacity to hold their pee and poop. So, if the puppy sleeps with you at night, it may try to inform you it needs to take care of its business. But if you are too tired or sleepy to respond, it may pee in your bed itself.

How to Stop It?

As new pet parents, you may find crate training cruel, but according to AKC, it can be an effective means of potty training. The crate should be big enough for the canine to lay, sit, stand, and turn around. But not so big enough that it can relieve itself in one area and still stay comfortably inside the crate. This way, when the dog has to go, it will whine and bark to let it out.

If the dog peed in your bed while you were away, there is no point yelling at it. If you do not stop an undesirable behavior right when it is happening, scolding the dog at a later time for it is not useful. The dog does not realize what it is being scolded for.

So you need to adopt an understanding approach when house training the dog. Instead of scolding, praise the dog when it does something right, like it informs you and waits to relieve itself outside. This positive attitude will effectively commit the training in the dog’s mind rather than a punishment.

Observe how long the dog takes to pee and poop after drinking and eating. This way, you can form a routine and take the dog out according to its metabolic rate.

2. It is Marking Your Bed with its Urine

 It is Marking Your Bed with its Urine
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Marking behavior is common across all dog breeds. However, some breeds tend to be more territorial than others – for example, German Shepherds, Bull Mastiffs, and Doberman Pinschers. In addition, male dogs tend to urine-mark more than female dogs.

These dogs will not empty their bladder on your bed but will spray a few drops. As a result, you may find the dog’s urine in other areas of the house and random objects your dog likes.

It is the dog’s way of claiming its territory. The behavior may increasingly show such behavior when it feels insecure or threatened – for example, the arrival of a new pet or a baby.

Another explanation offered by AKC is that marking is the dog’s way of simply saying, ‘I was here.’ Your bed and blankets are covered with your scent. If it is an area that is shared by your pet, it will want to leave behind its scent as well. And what can have a stronger scent than urine?

How to Stop It?

If you do not plan on breeding the pet, consider neutering or spaying the dog. Once the behavior becomes a habit in such dogs, it will be difficult to train them to stop. According to AKC, ‘fixing’ the dog should limit the marking behavior in almost 50 to 60% of dogs.

Supervise the dog to understand what triggers the behavior. For example, does the dog go on a marking spree in the presence of a visitor or another family pet? If yes, then catch the dog in the act. Distract and take it outside, and use pats or treats when the dog behaves. Try to spend quality time with the dog as it can help the pet feel less insecure.

You can block access to the rooms the dog tends to typically mark. Also, ensure to deeply clean the marked area as the strong urine scent will continue to draw the dog’s attention. If the above tips do not work, you will have to seek help from the vet or a professional behaviorist.

3. It Could be Dealing with a Urinary Tract Infection

It Could be Dealing with a Urinary Tract Infection
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the common uncomfortable and painful infections that canines suffer from. 14% of dogs can get a bacterial UTI during their lifetime.

E. coli is the typical bacteria responsible for the condition. But, there are other bacteria and even some fungi that can be probable causes. These organisms can get past the body’s defense mechanism and settle in the urinary tract leading to an infection.

If the dog suffers from kidney problems, Cushing’s disease, or diabetes, it has a higher chance of developing UTIs. Breeds like French Bulldogs, Miniature Poodles, Pugs, and Dalmatians are also prone to chronic UTIs.

If your dog has a UTI, it may pee in your bed accidentally. It can display other signs like:

  • Straining to pee
  • Urine dripping
  • Licking the area from where it urinates
  • Bloody in urine
  • Fever

If you see any of these symptoms, it is best to visit the vet.

How to Stop It?

The vet will first test the pet’s urine to confirm the diagnosis and find the underlying cause of infection. For example, a dog with UTI will show elevated blood, white blood cells, and protein levels on a urinalysis test. A urine culture and sensitivity test help identify the bacteria causing the issue.

The vets commonly prescribe antibiotics like penicillin. An antibiotic that can fight off that particular strain will be prescribed if resistant bacteria are identified. Depending on the symptoms, the vet may additionally prescribe pain medications and supplements for quicker relief.

In case of acute UTIs, the treatment will go on for a week or two. In cases of chronic UTIs, the treatment can go on for four to eight weeks. Once the infection clears up, the dog should stop peeing on your bed or having similar accidents inside the house.

4. The Dog is Anxious or Stressed

The Dog is Anxious or Stressed
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Temporarily losing control of bladder and bowel movements signifies that your dog could be scared, anxious, or stressed.

For example, if the dog is sleeping with you on the bed, there could be firecrackers bursting or thundering outside. The loud noise can scare the dog or trigger its anxiety, leading to a peeing accident on the bed.

At other times, when scared, the dog can jump on your bed as it considers it a safe place. But the fear again can make the dog pee unintentionally.

If the dog suffers from separation anxiety, it may end up peeing in your bed or elsewhere around the house when it is alone.

How to Stop It?

Anxiety and stress are conditions that need vet care. If the dog is suffering, it may display signs like:

Schedule a vet visit if you see any behavioral changes in your pet. The vet can help you decode the possible triggers behind the dog’s behavior.

There are training approaches you can try to help the dog if the symptoms are occasional. For example, you could try counterconditioning or desensitizing the trigger. However, if the process is overwhelming, you can seek help from professional trainers and behaviorists.

The vet may prescribe medication and recommend therapies if the symptoms are severe.

5. It Could be Incontinence

It Could be Incontinence
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If your dog has urine incontinence, it will lose control of its bladder. So the dog may pass urine without any knowledge. It can completely empty its bladder, or it can keep leaking small amounts throughout the day.

The condition can affect all dogs, but it more commonly affects middle-aged to senior dogs. Certain breeds like Rottweilers, Boxers, Dalmatians, and Old English Sheepdogs are prone to urinary incontinence.

The causes of urinary incontinence can be UTIs, spinal issues, weak bladder due to aging, hormonal imbalances, kidney diseases, and medication side effects.

Apart from wetting your sheets, the dog can show other signs like excessively licking of its genital area or skin redness, or irritation from the frequent urine dripping.

How to Stop It?

The vet can perform different tests to identify the cause of incontinence. For example, a urinalysis can reveal an infection, and radiographs or ultrasounds can detect the presence of stones or issues with the bladder.

Once the vet has a diagnosis, the treatment can involve antibiotics, pain medication, or surgery. In case of hormonal imbalances, therapies will be recommended.

When at home, you need to ensure to clean up the leaking pee and ensure the dog is clean, or it can lead to skin infections. Until the underlying issue is resolved, consider using diapers or waterproof pads for their bed.

6. The Dog’s Bathroom Needs are Neglected

The Dog’s Bathroom Needs are Neglected
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This is one of the reasons for the query, why does my dog pee on my bed that you could be responsible for? If you do not take the dog out enough time to take care of its business, it will end up making a mess at home.

For example, puppies tend to pee and poop more than adult dogs. They also cannot hold in their pee and poop for long, waiting for you to let them out. Such practices are not good for their health as well. So, the result is accidents inside the house.

Similarly, as dogs age, their bladder control can weaken. Senior dogs may also experience joint issues, making it difficult for them to get up quickly and pee outside.

How to Stop It?

You need to have a better routine set for the pet. Puppies can poop anywhere up to 5 times a day. Their bladders are also small, so they may have to relieve themselves in just a few hours when they drink water.

For example, a general rule is that a puppy can hold its pee equal to its age in months. So, if your puppy is two months old, you will have to take it out to pee within two hours of drinking water. Knowing such information can help you better manage the dog’s bathroom breaks.

Even in the case of senior dogs, they should be taken out for bathroom breaks 3 to 5 times a day.

When Does Peeing Become a Problem?

When Does Peeing Become a Problem
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Peeing is not the problem, but where does the dog pee? Does the pee contain anything else, or does the dog show other symptoms? The answers to these questions can be a problem.

It is ok if the dog has a one-off peeing accident in the house. It is not just fear or stress that can make a dog pee involuntarily. Positive emotions like happiness or excitement can also evoke the same reaction. So, if your dog is seeing you after a long time, a little bit of pee dribbling out is ok.

But, if your house-trained dog suddenly starts peeing on the bed, furniture, carpet, or anywhere inside the house, the cause needs to be investigated.

In case of health issues, the pee can contain blood or other discharge. The dog can also show additional symptoms like:

If you see any of these symptoms, paying the vet a visit would be best. In case of health issues, medication, therapies, or surgery may be required.

Do not get mad at the pet. Instead, monitor its behavior, discuss it with the vet and get the dog the help it needs.

How to Clean Dog Pee from My Bed?

If you see a blob of dog pee on the bed, strip the bed of any blankets and comforters and wash them in hot water. Then, use a paper towel to soak up the liquid from the mattress. Do not aggressively rub the area as the action can push the pee deeper into the mattress.

Next, you can use a homemade cleaning solution of 50-50, water, and vinegar. Spray this mixture over the pee stain. Again, use a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid. You can repeat the procedure a few times until the stain and smell are cleaned up.

Next, cover the peed-on area with baking soda. Use a generous amount. Let the baking soda sit for a minimum of 8 hours, and then vacuum the area. If the stain or odor remains, you can try a market-bought cleaner, especially for removing pet odors and stains.

If the dog pees inside the house, it is important to clean up the pee and remove the odor. Otherwise, the dog will come to find the same spot and relive itself.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent My Dog From Peeing on My Bed?

What Else Can I Do to Prevent My Dog From Peeing on My Bed
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If your dog likes to pee or mark your bed, start by restricting access to your room. When you are not home, ensure the bedroom door is locked. When at home, you can use baby gates or other furniture to stop the dog from entering the room. If you are fine with the dog being in the room when you are around, train it to get on and off the bed on command.

When the dog pees on your bed when you are away, handle the situation calmly. Shouting at the dog for something it did an hour back will have no effect. The dog does not have the capability of relating – it peed an hour back, and you are shouting at it now.

Instead, you need to monitor the dog constantly and interrupt the behavior when it happens. The training period can be time-consuming, but patience and consistency are the way forward. And if you do not have the luxury of time, contact a behaviorist for their professional services.

Summary

Why does my dog pee on my bed? It is easy to assume your dog is mad at you and peeing is its way of getting back at you. But, no, that is not the case.

Having peeing accidents inside the house can have behavioral and medical reasons. For example, you are still house training your puppy, so in the meantime, you will have to deal with peeing and pooping accidents once in a while.

Your dog could be territorial or anxious and stressed. Other medical reasons could include UTIs, kidney diseases, diabetes, urinary incontinence, arthritis, or old age.

If your dog suddenly starts peeing inside the house and you see other signs, please visit the vet. The dog’s peeing on your bed can also stop with treatment and care for the underlying health issue.

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