Senior dog and incontinence

Question

I have carpet in my home and what have any hometalkers come up with for this problem?   
  My jack russell terrier is 17 years old with kidney problems. So he just can't hold it. I have no problem when i am there but when I leave him to go to work it is another situation. What can i do for protecting my flooring, hardwood and carpet while I'm gone. He is used to being out and about the house when I'm gone. So I hate to crate him all day, that is cruel. Any suggestions?

Shari · Answer

First and foremost, if you haven't already, I would talk to your vet and have him evaluated. If he is drinking an excessive amount of water, it could be due to an illness like diabetes or cushings disease. If he is not drinking excessively and just can't hold his bladder as long as he once could, there may be medication for that too. One of our German Shepherds (female) was on medication during the last year or so of her life that helped her incontinence issues. Secondly, since you say he does okay when you are home to let him out, perhaps there is a neighbor, or a friend or relative who could stop by to let him out one or two times while you are at work. Even hiring a trustworthy neighborhood teen who would like to earn a little money could be an option. Other than that, I would confine him to an area of the house where he could do the least amount of damage to your hardwood or carpet, like perhaps in a bathroom with a tile floor? As long as he has a soft place to lay, like a pet bed or thick blanket, he should be fairly comfortable, especially since senior pets generally sleep a lot.

Shari · Answer

I also meant to say that although I don't have anything against crate training dogs (we've crate-trained all the dogs we've ever had), I don't think it is appropriate in this situation. Dogs who have been crate trained come to view their crate as their 'bed' and most dogs do not like to use their bed as a place to relieve themselves. That's why/how crate training helps in house-breaking. If your dog is just not physically able to hold his urine, he will have no option but to urinate in the crate and then be forced to lay in it, which will likely be very upsetting for him (and more work for you because he'll probably need a bath).

Patty Sullivan Reynolds · Answer

I have used puppy pads and I place then on a waterproof entry rug I picked up at Lowe's for under 20.00.  Keep a baby gate for the area?  Maybe not give him free roaming of the house.  You can't help it but maybe at least contain where he goes.

Rosemary Kelly · Answer

Thank-you for not euthanizing him. How about a belly band? Basically it's a diaper that you put an absorbent pad in. There should be directions on how to make one on-line. Generally they are used for male dogs who mark in the house.

Diane · Answer

I have a new terrier puppy. Potty pads were shredded almost as fast as I put them down. I went to Amazon and found extra large, waterproof pads that are washable and reuse able. The people ones are much cheaper than the doggy ones. I put one down in the corner of my laundry room, sprayed it with house-training attractant, and close her up in there while I'm at work. It has been a life saver! Even when I'm home and she's out of the laundry room, she goes straight to the pad to 'do her business'. I think I got 6 of them for $60.

Liz H · Answer

I adopted a 16 year old chihuahua when her elderly owner died. She was not housebroken. I used puppy pads in strategic places in the house, and she learned to use them. I used a door gate in the bedroom at night with a puppy pad in front of it. I also closed off some doors to guide her to the back door. I used a crate with puppy pads when I wasn't home. Bought her a raincoat so she would go outside when it was raining. If she refused to go out, she stayed in the crate. She quickly got the idea. I highly recommend DogTergent from Drs Fosters and Smith (they have a website). It has enzymes and cleans very well, removes the smell.

Donna Hagen · Answer

Try the belly belt which is a piece of fabric with velcro very easy to make and very humane. When my pup was young before she was trained I would confine her with a baby gate to the kitchen you could also try that just put a comfy bed in there or a simple pillow for comfort that can be easily washed and lastly God Bless you for not putting him down because of age and old age problems.

Lee Cunningham Green · Answer

I understand not crating him, my senior dog did have a room that he preferred so I limited where he could be when we were not home. He did not show any signs of stress and the urine issue was minimized without diapering him. I would not have crated him either. He didn't have kidney problems he just wasn't fast enough to get out to tinkle so my issue was not a big one. He was my best boy, I feel your pain.

Ddiane D · Answer

:( 
thank you so much and i assume your 'best boy' is with the Creator. *doggy whimper*
did you put anything down for his little 'accidents' while you were not home?

Donna Hagen · Answer

Diane you can buy this belly belt at any pet store or even walmart ;)

Cornelia Schott · Answer

Can you put down a piece of plastic underneath a sheet or blanket on the floor in your house? You can find a thin plastic roll in the paint section of your home improvement store. When we are gone we do this with our 16 year old terrier and do not have any accidents. She knows this is her spot when we are gone. Good luck!

Ddiane D · Answer

that is a cool idea! thanks

Grady · Answer

A dog door would for sure help. I am an expert on dogs and as they get older, their bladder gets weaker. A dog door would be the best solution.

Ddiane D · Answer

thanks for your help. The dog door is not good for poor Rico, eyesight and hearing is almost gone. my yard is not fenced totally in. Even though he is a old dog, He is a JRT. Their motto is inquiring minds want to know. lol. Right now I am doing the male band from Petsmart until i find something esle

Ddiane D · Answer

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Carol · Answer

I like all of the ideas presented. Before my dog was housebroken, I used a doggie gate to keep him in the laundry room when I wasn't home and at night. They also make doggie diapers, and of course, check with your vet for any medications or other ideas he may have.

Ddiane D · Answer

thanks  @Carol that was  great! Since my laundry room is too large to cover with the wetting pads. I have opted for the bathroom and clorox the marble floors with my swiffer

Happy Days Hometalker · Answer

We recently went through the same thing. I would take her out every hour and check on her often.

Senior dog and incontinence

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Senior dog and incontinence

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