Canine incontinence--a dog's inability to hold urine in--can occur at all ages. You might think your puppy has accidents because he is too young to be housebroken or your senior dog is just getting on in years, but many cases of canine incontinence can be attributed to food allergies.
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Symptoms of Canine Incontinence
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If you see a pool of urine where your dog was sitting or lying, she may be suffering from incontinence, according to dogster.com, a blog for dog owners. Dogs that are incontinent often appear nervous and may dribble urine as they walk.
Allergies and Incontinence
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Food allergies can contribute to incontinence. According to DogAware.com, green beans and grains such as wheat and rice can inflame your dog's bladder. These foods are often used in dog biscuits and other dog treats.
Food Trials
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Peteducation.com recommends doing a food trial to see if your dog's allergies affect incontinence. For 12 weeks, feed the dog a source of protein and carbohydrate that he has not had before. Feed him no other food, and certainly no table scraps, as these may contain allergens. A food trial, also known as an elimination diet, can help pinpoint the cause of incontinence.
Types of Dog Food
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You can buy commercial foods, such as rabbit and rice, for your dog to use during food trial. You can also buy special, hypoallergenic food from your vet. It is designed for pets with allergies and requires a prescription to purchase.
Other Causes of Incontinence
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Hormonal imbalances, birth defects and complications from spaying and neutering can cause incontinence, according to dogster.com. If your dog is incontinent, take her to the vet as soon as possible to rule out these conditions before you change her diet.
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