Potty training is one of the most unfortunate hurdles of owning a pet, and it’s something you never want to return to. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for cats and dogs to regress in potty training and have accidents in the house.
An accident every once in a while is to be expected, but frequent accidents require a closer look. Here are the most common reasons your potty-trained pet may be messing in the house.
1. Medical Problems
Any medical issue can throw your pet off their A-game, but there are a few issues that specifically relate to incontinence.
Some examples include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
It’s a good idea to rule out health issues with your veterinarian when your pet’s behavior changes. While this isn’t always the case, a quick vet visit may reveal a serious issue sooner rather than later.
Medical issues are more likely with older animals, especially if they’re normally consistent with pottying appropriately. For example, arthritis can make it difficult for them to balance properly and disrupt their normal bathroom behavior. Painkillers can make this more manageable for your pet.
2. Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites (worms) irritate your pet’s digestive tract and make it harder for them to keep a consistent pottying schedule. This can happen even before you notice issues like weight loss, bloating, or anemia, so checking in with your vet is still a good idea.
Even with a regular deworming schedule, it’s possible your pet may have picked up a different parasite. Your veterinarian will do a fecal exam to determine the root of the problem, rule out other issues, and make sure they administer the proper medication.
3. Reaction to Medication
While medication is helpful, it can cause smaller issues in other areas. Your vet should let you know whether medication may disrupt your pet’s bathroom behavior, or it should be listed as a potential side effect in any over-the-counter medications or supplements you use.
If it’s becoming a serious issue (e.g. watery diarrhea), bring it up with your vet as soon as possible. If your pet is taking an elective supplement, discontinue use immediately and consult your vet.
They will let you know whether it’s an appropriate response or a sign of a larger issue.
4. Separation Anxiety
Some pets get so stressed out that they lose control of their body–they’re too focused on their own anxiety.
Your pet’s breed may be predisposed to separation anxiety, but it develops easily when encountering new situations as well. Anxiety outside of separation (such as fear of loud noises or storms or a history of abuse) can also trigger accidents.
Other signs of separation anxiety include:
- Barking, whining, or howling while away
- Pacing
- Nervous behavior when you’re getting ready to leave
To better manage separation anxiety, offer your pets enrichment activities while you’re away, like treat dispensers, or to play music or leave the television on. Try to spend time with them beforehand, ideally playing or taking them on a walk to tire them out.
If this doesn’t help, talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medication or consider having someone stay with your dog (or stop in) while you’re gone to break up their alone time.
5. New Routines
Changes in routine can be very distracting and upset your pet’s normal pottying schedule. Maybe you’ve moved and they have a whole new area to explore, forgetting to go to the bathroom on their walk. Or maybe they spend so much time loving on your newborn that they don’t realize they need to go to the bathroom until it’s too late.
If you’re expecting a big household change, do your best to keep your pet’s pottying routine as stable as possible. Keep walks at the same time, and make sure litter boxes are easily accessible.
Be patient as they adjust. If the issue persists, you may need to retry potty training so they understand a new situation does not mean rules don’t apply.
6. Changes in Diet
It’s easy to upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in your pet’s stomach when introducing a new food. As their body figures it out, this causes loose stools that defy all efforts to maintain their normal bathroom behaviors.
This is why pet food labels recommend you slowly transition from your old food to your new food, even if it’s the same brand but a different formula.
PetMD recommends transitioning food over at least a 7-day period, starting with 10% new food/90% on day one and adjusting the ratio by about 10 percent each day until you’re feeding the new food exclusively.
7. Allergies (Food or Otherwise)
If your pet still has issues despite proper food transitioning, they may be allergic to one of the ingredients.
This is most common with:
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Beef
- Wheat
- Dairy
We usually relate allergies to skin issues, but they can also disrupt what’s going on inside of your pet. If you notice incontinence after eating a certain ingredient or during a certain time of year (particularly spring), you need to schedule a pet allergy test and make adjustments as needed.
8. Issues with the Potty Area
Sometimes your pet just doesn’t like the space you give them to go to the bathroom, and they’re determined to find their own. This usually happens if you’ve moved or rearranged, but it can happen if there are changes outside the home (e.g. construction).
For cats, make sure you have enough litter boxes for each cat plus one. They should be large enough for your cat to circle around in them. Keep in mind that cats usually prefer uncovered boxes as well, and they may not be as excited about self-cleaning boxes as you are. If you’re switching to a new litter, do so slowly.
Dogs may have issues if there’s another animal using the restroom in their yard or if the yard is small and fills up quickly with their waste. Try to pick up poop and water the ground at least once a week. If you have a smaller dog or live in an apartment, you may need to invest in potty pads or set up an emergency potty area on your balcony just in case.
Your pet doesn’t want to have accidents–they just need your help to determine why they’re happening and develop a new course of action.
