Dog Leaves Odorless Wet Spot

The Short Answer is:

Especially among spayed females, dogs with wet spots are a common problem. Wet spots left behind by your dog are probably a result of urinary incontinence. Having a clear and odorless fluid can make people believe it is not urine due to its appearance. A dog with urinary incontinence, however, usually leaks diluted urine that is watery and odorless.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Dog Leaves Odorless Wet Spot“.

There is a problem that many pet parents encounter – their beloved dog lies down for a nap and when he gets up there is an odorless wet spot on the couch.

Even more bizarre the dog acts as if nothing has happened.

He has no look of guilt on his face like he knows hes done something wrong.

You should not be surprised then.

As these mysterious wet spots are usually caused by a problem the dog is unaware of he has no idea what has happened.

These problems are most likely due to urinary incontinence and are more common in spayed females dogs with a urinary tract infection or senior pets. 

What are wet spots?

When a dog sleeps or relaxes in his favorite corner he leaves behind puddles of a clear odorless liquid.

Some dogs leave just a few drops of urine behind but others leave quite a mess behind.

Why are these wet spots odorless?

Your first assumption is that your dog had an accident when you find a wet spot where he just took a nap.

Its quite shocking if you have a house-trained dog.

Further complicating matters is the fact that the fluid appears odorless.

As a result of weeks of house training you probably know very well what your pets pee smells like.

If its urine how is that possible?

The urine is probably very diluted almost watery and does not smell so the answer is likely to be very diluted urine. 

Test it by dipping a white tissue paper in the puddle and seeing if it stains.

This will however not tell you much.

Even if the urine is just very pale yellow or clear the most likely explanation is that its urine.

You can only leave the poor dog alone clean up the mess and then schedule an appointment with the vet to have your pet examined.

Why do male dogs leave wet spots?

If you have a house-trained male dog and he starts leaving wet spots on the floor where he sleeps it may be a urinary tract infection but it could also be a sign of an abnormality of the urinary tract or a symptom of a serious illness.

Wet spots in male dogs are usually caused by one of the following:

Urinary tract infections

It is likely that your dog will pee more often if he has a UTI. If you have ever had a UTI you know exactly how it feels. Often you’ll notice that your dog is asking for a potty break more often but it could very well be that he is dripping urine unknowingly. Here are some symptoms to watch out for if you think your dog has a UTI:

• When the dog is not sleeping accidents may occur
• Include pain and whimpering when urinating
• licking the opening of the bladder excessively
• Fever

Bladder problems

A UTI may or may not cause these symptoms. Your dog might suffer from bladder hypercontractility if there is a storage problem with the bladder. This means that his bladder contracts more often and quite suddenly causing him to eliminate his urine.

Urethral problems

When the muscles controlling the urethra opening become weak the opening cannot be kept shut. It can also be caused by a disease of the prostate as well as a hormone imbalance UTI or inflammation.

Tumors

It might explain the wet spot if your dog has a bladder tumor which exerts pressure on the bladder causing it to leak. Additionally the problem might be caused by a prostate tumor. This growth can put pressure on both the bladder and the urethra because the prostate gland is located near the neck of the urinary bladder.

Neurological problems

If you have urinary incontinence you may have a neurological problem such as a spinal injury that affects the control of your bladder by the brain. It is possible in rare cases that the dog is incontinent due to a brain tumor.

Urinary tract abnormalities

In addition to congenital defects injuries and failed surgeries can cause anatomic abnormalities of the bladder or urethra.

Behavioral problems

An anxious or stressed dog might hold it in for a long period of time. Intentional retention of urine puts pressure on the bladder until a leak is inevitable.

Why do female dogs leave wet spots?

Women who have been spayed are more likely to leave wet spots than men. 20% of spayed dogs develop incontinence within three years of their surgery according to research. Following the surgery spay incontinence is associated with reduced estrogen levels. Both the bladder and the urethra are affected as a lack of estrogen weakens the muscles surrounding the opening. It usually affects the bladder muscles a condition called Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI).

Even so you should not ignore the problem since its normal and theres not much you can do about it. The wet spot might be caused by spay incontinence but it can also be caused by a UTI a tumor or other problems. Taking your pet to the vet for a few tests is a good idea. If your pet has an infection antibiotics may be able to help.

In older women the structures of the vagina might also change resulting in involuntary leaks.

Why do puppies leave wet spots?

Owners often mistake a wet spot on puppies for an accident because they assume the wet spot is an accident. They will continue the house-training program and sometimes punish the little one for the accident even though the poor thing is not to blame.

There are many reasons why puppies get wet spots including urinary tract infections. Moreover dogs who just moved to a new house are under a lot of stress which can cause urine retention and leaks.

Dogs that are young should also be checked for urinary tract abnormalities like ectopic ureters which can cause accidents. 

Why do senior dogs leave wet spots?

In older dogs both male and female urinary incontinence is more common due to weakened muscles. In female dogs low estrogen levels exacerbate the problem but involuntary leaks are quite common among male dogs as well. The dog can be dribbling urine while walking around in advanced stages without being aware of it.

Is there a natural remedy for curing wet spots?

Usually a urinary tract infection can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian if the wet spots are caused by an infection.

Additionally there are some natural remedies you can try for urinary incontinence such as:

Phytoestrogens

You can try to correct the imbalance by giving your dog plant-derived estrogens since incontinence is caused by decreased estrogen levels. These are found in many soy products and in ground flax seeds. You can find supplements at your local pet store or ask your vet for a prescription.

Saw Palmetto

In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties Saw Palmetto can strengthen bladder control and correct hormonal imbalances.

Corn silk

A dog with a UTI can benefit from this treatment to soothe an irritated bladder. Corn silk is a good source of phytoestrogens that can help with incontinence.

Acupuncture

This might not be a good idea if your dog is afraid of needles. A few sessions of acupuncture however can alleviate urinary incontinence since the procedure stimulates the nerves that control the muscles in the urinary tract.

Are certain breeds more at risk than others?

Although all dogs can develop urinary incontinence the condition is more prevalent in breeds that are midsize and large those that weigh more than 45 pounds.

Wet spots are more common in German Shepherds Giant Schnauzers Dobermans Rottweilers Old English Sheepdogs and Irish Setters.

Cancer of the bladder is rare in dogs but there are some breeds that seem more prone to it such as:

• Terriers of Scotland
• Beagles
• Wire Fox Terriers
• Scottish Sheepdogs
• Western Highland White Terriers

If this is the case you should have your dog examined by a specialist as bladder cancer often mimics or even causes UTIs. The difference between a UTI and cancer can be determined by taking various tests. If your dog has cancer early detection and treatment can improve his chances of surviving.

Are dogs with certain medical conditions more at risk?

Even otherwise healthy and young dogs can develop wet spots if they are infected. Age and certain health issues make dogs more susceptible to developing this embarrassing problem. Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of urinary incontinence. Cushings disease hypothyroidism and diabetes are other risk factors.

Conclusion

Especially among spayed females dogs with wet spots are a common problem. Wet spots left behind by your dog are probably a result of urinary incontinence. Having a clear and odorless fluid can make people believe it is not urine due to its appearance. A dog with urinary incontinence however usually leaks diluted urine that is watery and odorless.

It is often associated with spay incontinence in females. However wet spots can also be caused by urinary tract infections bladder problems tumors or behavioral issues.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.