When an old dog begins peeing in bed, soaking their blankets or leaving wet spots where they sleep, it’s distressing for both the dog and the owner.
Senior dogs rarely lose bladder control on purpose — this kind of nighttime or resting incontinence almost always has a medical cause.
We outline the common causes of bed-wetting in old dogs, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Old Dog Peeing in Bed - Why It Happens
An old dog peeing in bed is usually experiencing urinary incontinence, hormonal decline, kidney disease, infection, neurological issues, cognitive dysfunction, or deep-sleep bladder weakness that prevents them from waking when they need to urinate.
Senior dogs do not wet the bed out of stubbornness or confusion alone — there is almost always a physical reason behind the loss of nighttime or resting bladder control.
Old Dog Peeing in Bed: Common Causes
Weak Bladder Sphincter Muscles
One of the most frequent reasons senior dogs pee in bed is weakened bladder sphincter muscles.
As dogs age, the muscles responsible for keeping urine inside the bladder lose strength, allowing urine to leak involuntarily.
This leakage often happens during deep sleep when the dog is fully relaxed and cannot contract the muscles that normally prevent urine flow. Many older dogs wake up confused and upset, unaware they urinated.
This type of incontinence begins subtly with small wet spots but can progress to larger puddles.
Dogs with sphincter weakness often urinate normally when awake but leak during rest, naps, or sleep. Because it happens without the dog’s control, it’s one of the most misunderstood signs of aging.
Related: Old dog poop in sleep (Why it happens)
Hormonal Decline
Hormonal changes, especially in senior spayed females and older neutered males, can significantly reduce bladder control.
Estrogen and testosterone help maintain urethral tone; when these hormones drop with age, the bladder closure mechanism weakens.
Dogs with hormone-related incontinence may sleep deeply and wet the bed because their muscles cannot maintain a tight seal.
Even dogs who have been house-trained for years may suddenly begin having nighttime accidents.
Hormonal decline often develops gradually, and many owners first notice damp bedding even when the dog seems perfectly healthy during the day. This cause is common, subtle, and highly treatable once identified.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection can make old dogs pee in bed because the bladder becomes irritated and unstable.
When inflamed, the bladder contracts involuntarily, causing urine to leak without warning.
Dogs with UTIs often struggle to empty their bladder fully, resulting in leftover urine that leaks during rest.
Some senior dogs experience burning or discomfort while awake but show their first signs of infection through nighttime accidents.
Infections can progress quickly in older dogs due to weaker immune systems, and bed-wetting may be the first noticeable sign. Even mild infections can lead to sudden and concerning nighttime urine leakage.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is a major cause of nighttime accidents in senior dogs. As the kidneys weaken, they lose the ability to concentrate urine, causing the dog to produce large amounts of dilute urine.
The dog compensates by drinking more, which fills the bladder quickly. When a senior dog sleeps, the bladder fills faster than they can wake to empty it.
Dogs with kidney disease may sleep deeply, become fatigued easily, or seem confused — all factors that increase the likelihood of bed-wetting.
Early kidney problems often show up first as increased thirst and nighttime accidents before progressing to more obvious symptoms.
Read more: Old dog peeing all the time (Here’s why)
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cognitive dysfunction, or dog dementia, alters a senior dog’s awareness of bodily sensations, including the need to urinate.
Dogs with cognitive decline may forget to wake when their bladder is full or fail to recognize the urge until it’s too late. Some dogs sleep so deeply during the day due to nighttime restlessness that they wet their bedding during naps.
Others urinate indoors because they are disoriented or cannot find the door in time. When the brain struggles to process bladder cues, accidents during sleep become common.
Cognitive dysfunction also causes anxiety, pacing, barking at night, and changes in sleep cycles, all of which interfere with normal bathroom habits.
Neurological Issues
When nerves in the spine, pelvis, or hind end become damaged — whether from arthritis, disc disease, degeneration, or injury — the signals that control bladder function weaken.
A dog may not realize their bladder is full, or the bladder may release urine involuntarily. Dogs with neurological incontinence often leak more while lying down because the nerves that normally tighten the urethral muscles do not activate.
Some dogs display additional signs such as hind-leg weakness, wobbling, dragging paws, or difficulty rising.
Neurological causes of incontinence often progress slowly, and bed-wetting may be the earliest indication that nerve function is compromised.
Excessive Thirst From Diabetes or Cushing’s Disease
Dogs with diabetes or Cushing’s disease drink excessively, which causes their bladder to fill quickly — sometimes within an hour or two of drinking.
When these dogs sleep deeply, they may wet the bed simply because the bladder is too full to hold overnight.
Diabetes also causes fluctuating blood sugar, which can weaken the dog or make them too fatigued to wake and go outside.
Cushing’s disease reduces muscle tone and causes frequent urination, making nighttime bladder control even more difficult.
Both conditions are extremely common in senior dogs and often go unnoticed until symptoms like sudden bed-wetting appear.
Pain, Weakness, or Fatigue
Senior dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, muscle loss, or general frailty may wake needing to pee but be physically unable to rise quickly enough.
Pain slows their reaction time, and by the time they attempt to stand, urine may already be leaking. Dogs in deep sleep may also fail to recognize discomfort until their bladder has already released.
This “functional incontinence” is common in old dogs with mobility issues, and many appear distressed when they realize they wet the bed — a clear sign the behavior is unintentional and driven by physical limitations.
Read more: Old dog peeing in sleep (What it means)
What to Do If Your Old Dog Is Peeing in Bed
Start by gently cleaning your dog and their bedding to prevent irritation and discomfort. Avoid scolding your dog — they are not aware they are wetting the bed, and punishment increases stress and confusion.
Monitor how frequently accidents occur and whether the amounts are small dribbles or large puddles.
Provide more frequent bathroom breaks, especially before bedtime, and ensure water access remains steady to prevent dehydration.
Add supportive bedding such as waterproof pads, washable mattress covers, and soft orthopedic cushions to keep your dog dry, warm, and comfortable.
If mobility is an issue, assist your dog with gentle lifting or ramps to help them get outside more easily.
Because nighttime accidents are often one of the earliest signs of health decline, schedule a veterinary exam even if the dog otherwise appears normal.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your old dog is peeing in bed and shows:
• Increased thirst or frequent urination.
• Cloudy, smelly, or bloody urine.
• Straining, discomfort, or licking the genital area.
• Weakness, difficulty rising, or hind-leg changes.
• Confusion, pacing, or new nighttime behavior.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden appetite changes.
• Weight loss or abdominal swelling.
• Repeated nighttime accidents over several days.
• Sudden changes in overall behavior or energy.
• Any signs of pain or distress.
Nighttime incontinence in senior dogs is nearly always medically significant.
Read more: Old Dog Not Eating and Peeing in the House (Why it happens)
Key Takeaway
An old dog peeing in bed is usually experiencing bladder weakness, hormonal decline, kidney disease, infection, neurological issues, or cognitive dysfunction.
While the behavior is upsetting, it is involuntary — and with proper diagnosis, treatment, and home support, many senior dogs regain comfort and confidence.