Dog Incontinence: Practical Advice to Help you and your dog
- , by Vyctoria Brock
- 7 min reading time
Caring for an incontinent dog can be challenging, but the right products and a little practical advice can make everyday life much easier for both of you.
Our dogs give us so much love and companionship throughout their lives. When they get older, develop health problems or begin having accidents indoors, we naturally want to help them stay comfortable, clean and happy.
However, living with dog incontinence isn’t always easy. Constant washing, cleaning floors, changing bedding and worrying about accidents can become exhausting.
At Glenndarcy, we understand these challenges firsthand.
Many of our products were originally developed for our own dogs, including rescue dogs, when we struggled to find practical solutions that met their needs.
That experience continues to influence how we design our washable dog nappies, belly bands, absorbent pads and waterproof blankets.
Understanding Dog Incontinence
Dogs can experience urinary incontinence for several reasons, including ageing, medical conditions, changes following surgery or reduced bladder control.
Sometimes accidents happen during the day, while other dogs struggle overnight or when getting up after a long sleep.
If your dog suddenly starts having accidents, or their incontinence becomes worse, it’s important to speak to your vet. Incontinence isn’t always simply part of getting older, and some underlying causes can be treated.
For dogs needing ongoing support, suitable protective products can make daily life considerably easier.
Female Dog Incontinence: Choosing the Right Nappy
For female dogs, our Glenndarcy Flexi-Pants provide a practical, reusable solution.
Unlike many standard dog nappies, Flexi-Pants offer several adjustable features to help accommodate different body shapes.
These include:
- Adjustable waist fastening
- Adjustable tail-hole opening
- Elasticated body sides for a more comfortable, tailored fit
- Waterproof fabric to help protect against leaks
Dogs come in an enormous variety of shapes and sizes. A Greyhound, for example, may have a narrow waist and longer body, while another breed may be much broader through the middle.
This is why careful measuring and adjustability are so important.
Choosing an Absorbent Washable Eco Pad
Our Flexi-Pants are designed to be used with a suitable absorbent pad.
The best choice depends on your dog’s size, how much urine they produce and how frequently you can change the pad.
Our reusable washable pads may be suitable for different levels of leakage, depending on the individual dog and the amount of liquid involved.
For heavier incontinence, particularly overnight, a suitable disposable absorbent pad may be a more practical option.
Remember: The waterproof pants help protect against leaks, but the absorbent pad is what holds the liquid.
Male Dog Incontinence: Belly Bands or Flexi-Pants?
For many male dogs experiencing urinary leakage, we recommend considering a Glenndarcy Belly Band first.
Belly bands wrap around the dog’s body to cover the area where urine is released. They are generally straightforward to put on and remove.
We offer different fastening styles, including adjustable options, to accommodate individual preferences and body shapes.
When Might Male Flexi-Pants Be Better?
Not every male dog is suited to a belly band.
For example, some breeds have a body shape where the area requiring coverage sits further back towards the hind legs.
In these circumstances, a belly band may not provide sufficient coverage, and our adjustable male dog pants or Flexi-Pants may be a better choice.
Correct positioning and measuring are particularly important.
What About Overnight Incontinence?
Night-time accidents can be especially difficult.
Dogs may sleep for several hours without going outside, and some struggle to reach the door quickly enough when they wake.
A few practical steps may help:
- Give your dog an opportunity to toilet before bedtime.
- Choose an appropriately absorbent pad for their needs.
- Check that their nappy or belly band fits securely without being too tight.
- Use waterproof protection on bedding or favourite sleeping areas.
- Change wet pads promptly to help keep the skin comfortable.
For dogs producing larger volumes of urine overnight, we generally recommend considering a suitable high-absorbency disposable pad.
No nappy or pad can guarantee complete protection against every accident.
Can Dog Nappies Help With Faecal Incontinence?
Our Glenndarcy dog pants were originally designed primarily for urinary incontinence.
However, customers have also told us that they use our products to help manage faecal accidents.
Some choose to line the pants with disposable pads or suitable nappy inserts to make cleaning easier.
It’s important to understand that dog pants with a tail hole cannot guarantee containment of faeces, particularly if the stool is loose.
For dogs with little or no tail, our no-tail-hole Flexi-Pants may offer an alternative, depending on their body shape and individual needs.
Any soiled pants should be removed promptly, and the dog’s skin cleaned and dried.
Protecting Beds, Sofas and Favourite Sleeping Spots
Sometimes the simplest solution makes a big difference.
Our Glenndarcy Waterproof Blankets can provide an additional protective layer on beds, sofas, chairs and other places where your dog likes to rest.
We’ve found waterproof blankets particularly useful over the years, especially when caring for older dogs who enjoy curling up beside us on the sofa.
Placing a waterproof blanket between your dog and the furniture can help protect against accidental leaks and reduce the amount of washing and cleaning required.
They can also be useful alongside nappies or belly bands, providing extra reassurance.
Choosing the Right Size Is Essential
One of the most important things we’ve learned is that dogs rarely fit neatly into standard sizing categories.
Two dogs of the same breed can have very different body shapes.
When measuring your dog:
- Measure carefully using our product-specific sizing guides.
- Consider how their shape changes between standing and sitting.
- Allow for coat thickness, particularly with long-haired breeds.
- Think about the thickness of the absorbent pad you intend to use.
- If your dog is at the upper end of a size range, consider whether the next size would provide a more comfortable fit.
A correctly fitted product should provide secure coverage without restricting normal movement.
Designed From Experience, With Dogs in Mind
Glenndarcy began developing practical products because our own dogs needed them.
We understand the worry, the interrupted nights, the extra washing and the desire to keep our dogs comfortable and dignified.
Our aim is to provide thoughtfully designed products that help make caring for your dog a little easier.
Because an accident shouldn’t stop your dog enjoying the comfort, affection and companionship they’ve always known.
Explore Our Helpful Guides
- How to Measure Your Dog for Flexi-Pants
- Male Dog Belly Bands: Which Fastening Style Should You Choose?
- Understanding Washable Dog Pads and Absorbency
- Choosing the Right Pad for Daytime and Overnight Use
Explore the Glenndarcy range of washable dog nappies, belly bands, absorbent pads and waterproof blankets at glenndarcy.dog.
