When an old dog suddenly begins peeing while walking, leaving dribbles or streams of urine without stopping, it can be confusing and worrying.
This behavior is rarely intentional — it usually reflects an underlying medical or neurological problem affecting bladder control.
We outline the common reasons why an old dog may pee while walking, what you can do, and when to seek veterinary help.
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Old Dog Pees While Walking: Why It Happens
An old dog peeing while walking is typically experiencing urinary incontinence, bladder weakness, nerve damage, cognitive decline, hormonal changes, infection, or an illness that makes it difficult for the dog to control urine flow.
Senior dogs often lose the ability to fully hold urine, especially when moving, excited, or distracted. What appears to be behavioral is almost always medical.
Old Dog Pees While Walking: Common Causes
Age-Related Weakening of the Urinary Sphincter
As dogs age, the muscles that hold urine inside the bladder lose their strength. This condition, known as urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, is especially common in older female dogs but can occur in males as well.
When the sphincter becomes weak, any slight movement — walking, standing up, or even shifting positions — can cause urine to leak out without warning.
The leaking often begins as small dribbles and gradually becomes more noticeable. Because movement relaxes the muscles even more, senior dogs with weak sphincters frequently pee while walking or immediately after rising.
They are not aware of the leaking and cannot stop it. This weakness is a natural part of aging for many dogs, especially those who are spayed or have hormonal decline contributing to reduced sphincter tone.
Read more: Old dog peeing all the time (Here’s why)
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are a very common cause of sudden urinary accidents in senior dogs. When bacteria irritate the bladder lining, the dog experiences intense urgency — the sudden need to release urine even when the bladder is not full.
Older dogs may begin walking normally and suddenly release urine because the sensation becomes overwhelming.
UTIs also cause involuntary dribbling during movement because the bladder spasms unpredictably.
Dogs may lick their genital area more often, strain to pee, or produce urine with a stronger odor, but sometimes the only sign is peeing while walking.
Senior dogs with weakened immune systems or other underlying conditions may develop infections that progress quickly, making the loss of bladder control one of the earliest symptoms.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease leads to the production of large amounts of dilute urine, which fills the bladder faster than usual. Senior dogs with early kidney decline often cannot hold urine as long as they used to, especially during walks or short outings.
Because their bladder fills so rapidly, they begin leaking before they have a chance to stop and squat.
Some dogs simply drip urine along the ground as they walk because their body is overwhelmed by fluid output.
This is especially common in dogs who drink excessively, feel nauseous, or appear weaker as their kidney function declines.
The combination of increased urine production and reduced bladder control makes peeing while walking a frequent occurrence in dogs with kidney problems.
Neurological Problems
Nerve damage from spinal disease, arthritis, disc compression, or degenerative myelopathy can interfere with the communication between the brain and bladder.
When nerves controlling the urethra or bladder become compromised, a dog may lose the ability to sense when their bladder is full or to control release.
As a result, urine may leak whenever the dog moves, especially during walking or standing up. Dogs with neurological incontinence may also drag their paws, wobble, or have difficulty rising.
The loss of coordination between the muscles and nerves means the bladder may empty partially without the dog intending it. This type of incontinence often progresses over time and is common in senior dogs with long-term spinal issues.
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cognitive dysfunction, or dog dementia, affects how senior dogs perceive and react to their bodily sensations.
A dog with dementia may begin peeing while walking because they do not process the signal that their bladder is full.
They may also feel confused about when or where to urinate. Instead of stopping to squat, they continue walking because their brain no longer registers the need to pause.
Dogs with cognitive decline often show other symptoms such as pacing, nighttime restlessness, staring at walls, or forgetting familiar routines.
Bathroom-related accidents are extremely common in advanced cognitive dysfunction because the dog’s ability to coordinate physical and environmental cues becomes impaired. Peeing while walking is often one of the early outward signs.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s disease, diabetes, or age-related estrogen/testosterone decline contribute significantly to urinary leakage.
Dogs with Cushing’s or diabetes drink large amounts of water, filling the bladder quickly and overwhelming its capacity.
Combine this with reduced sphincter tone caused by hormonal imbalance, and many senior dogs begin dribbling urine during movement.
Dogs experiencing hormonal decline may seem otherwise normal but consistently pee small amounts when walking, stretching, or becoming excited.
Hormonal urinary incontinence tends to worsen gradually, making early monitoring important.
Bladder Stones or Tumors
Bladder stones can irritate the bladder lining and cause constant dribbling of urine, even when the dog is walking.
They may block parts of the urinary tract, causing sudden uncontrolled bursts of urine or straining.
Tumors inside or around the bladder create pressure that forces urine out involuntarily.
Both conditions cause irritation, discomfort, and urgency that make accidents more likely during movement.
Dogs may show subtle signs at first, but as stones or tumors grow, peeing while walking becomes more frequent and harder for the dog to control.
Read more: Old dog peeing in sleep (What it means)
What to Do If Your Old Dog Pees While Walking
Start by observing how often the accidents occur and whether they are dribbles, streams, or large amounts.
Keep your dog’s bedding clean and consider using washable rugs or waterproof pads in areas they frequent.
Avoid scolding your dog — peeing while walking is involuntary and beyond their control.
Take your dog outside more frequently to reduce bladder pressure and allow them more opportunities to empty fully.
Provide easy access to water but avoid restricting it, as dehydration worsens kidney and urinary problems. If your dog has mobility issues, raise water bowls and ensure they can walk comfortably without slipping.
Track any changes in urination volume, odor, or color, as these are helpful clues. Because most causes of this symptom are medical, a veterinary exam is essential to determine the underlying issue and guide treatment.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your old dog pees while walking and shows:
• Increased thirst or urination.
• Strong-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine.
• Straining or discomfort while peeing.
• Sudden accidents after years of being house-trained.
• Weakness, wobbling, or hind-leg changes.
• Vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy.
• Nighttime wetting or inability to hold urine.
• Swollen abdomen, pain, or restlessness.
• Signs of confusion or new behavior changes.
• Any sudden or persistent change in urinary habits.
Urinary changes in seniors are almost always medically significant.
Read more: Old Dog Not Eating and Peeing in the House (Why it happens)
Key Takeaway
When an old dog pees while walking, the cause is usually medical — not behavioral. Age-related bladder weakness, nerve issues, infections, kidney disease, cognitive decline, or hormonal imbalances all reduce urinary control.
With early intervention, supportive care, and veterinary guidance, many senior dogs regain stability and comfort.