Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence in Dogs: Causes, Treatment and Home Care

The Two Types of Fecal Incontinence

• Reservoir incontinence: the dog is aware it needs to go but can't hold it. Disease of the rectum or colon, such as diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer, stops the bowel storing stool normally. These dogs often have soft stool, sometimes with blood or mucus, and may go in unusual places such as near the door.^1,2
• Sphincter incontinence: the muscle ring around the anus can't stay closed, so stool leaks out, often without the dog noticing. Causes include nerve damage, wounds or masses around the anus, and surgery in that area. Typical signs are small balls of stool in the dog's bed or around the house, and stool dropping when the dog barks or gets excited.^1,2

Telling these apart helps your vet narrow down the cause, so note whether your dog seems aware of the accidents.^1,3

Why Is My Dog Pooping in Its Sleep or Leaking Poop?

Passing stool while resting or asleep, without seeming to notice, is more typical of sphincter incontinence, often from a problem with the nerves that control the anus and tail.^3,1 Dogs with nerve-related incontinence may also have a weak or wobbly back end, dribble urine, or carry the tail differently.^1,3

Leaking small amounts of stool can also follow anal sac surgery, injury to the area, or long-running problems such as perianal fistulas.^8,9 Liquid leaking from the rear end can also be ordinary diarrhea that the dog can't hold, so watch the stool consistency too.¹ See our guide to dog diarrhea.

Causes of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs

Bowel and anal causes (the dog often feels the urge):^3,2,10

• Severe diarrhea, colitis and inflammatory bowel disease
• Surgery around the anus, especially anal sac removal. Fecal incontinence is a recognized complication, seen in up to a third of dogs after anal sac tumor surgery and often temporary.^8,6
• Perianal fistulas, painful draining tracts around the anus that are most common in German Shepherds^10,9
• Tumors of the anal sacs, rectum or anus, and perineal hernias^3,2

Nerve and spinal causes (the dog often doesn't notice):^3,4,2

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), most common in Dachshunds and other short-legged breeds
• Lumbosacral stenosis (cauda equina syndrome), a narrowing at the base of the spine that causes back pain, tail weakness and incontinence, most often in large breeds such as German Shepherds
• Degenerative myelopathy, a slowly progressive spinal disease of older dogs in which bowel and bladder control are normal at first but are lost later^11,12
• Spinal injury, tumors or infection, and tail-pull injuries that stretch the nerves controlling the bladder and bowel^4,5

Age alone doesn't cause bowel incontinence, but older dogs are more likely to have the conditions that do.³ An older dog pooping in the house may also have cognitive decline or mobility problems rather than true incontinence. See senior dog fecal incontinence.

How Vets Diagnose Fecal Incontinence

Your vet will examine your dog, including a rectal exam and a neurologic exam of the back legs, tail and anal sphincter.^1,3 A simple reflex test, gently touching the skin beside the anus to see whether the sphincter tightens, helps show whether the nerves at the base of the spine are working.¹³ Depending on what they find, next steps may include:^1,3

• For a suspected nerve problem: spinal X-rays, then CT or MRI
• For a suspected bowel problem: fecal tests for parasites, blood tests, abdominal X-rays or ultrasound, and sometimes endoscopy or biopsies

It helps to bring notes or a video of the accidents, and to mention any recent surgery, injury, diarrhea or changes in walking.

Treatment

There's no medicine that treats bowel incontinence itself; treatment depends on the cause.¹

• Bowel disease: treating the diarrhea, colitis or inflammatory bowel disease often improves or resolves the accidents.^1,3
• Disc disease: surgery can help, and the outlook is better when it's done promptly.^1,4,7
• Lumbosacral stenosis: surgery has a good outlook, although some incontinence may remain.⁴
• Perianal fistulas and anal tumors: medical treatment, surgery or both, depending on the problem.^9,6
• Permanent sphincter damage: some dogs are candidates for specialized surgery to support the sphincter, but medical treatment alone is often not enough, and many dogs are managed long term at home.^2,1

Some causes, such as severe diarrhea or mild disc disease, can be cured or greatly improved; others, such as degenerative myelopathy, can only be managed.^3,11

Managing an Incontinent Dog at Home

• Set a routine: take your dog out often, and especially soon after meals, since eating stimulates the bowel.³
• Ask your vet about diet: a highly digestible, low-fiber diet can reduce the amount of stool, while extra fiber may make stool easier to clean up. Your vet can suggest which suits your dog.^3,1
• Keep the skin clean and dry: gently clean the area with dog-safe wipes, keep the fur around the rear trimmed, and use washable or waterproof bedding.^3,14
• Use diapers sparingly: they can help for short periods, but they can trap moisture and lead to skin and urinary infections, so change them often or avoid them.^3,14,15
• Confine your dog to an easy-to-clean area when you can't supervise.¹

Don't give enemas or laxatives at home unless your vet shows you exactly what to do.

Related Pages

• Senior dog fecal incontinence: old dogs pooping in the house
• Urinary incontinence in dogs
• Anal gland problems
• Dog constipation

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes fecal incontinence in dogs?

The main causes are bowel disease such as severe diarrhea or colitis, problems around the anus such as surgery, tumors or perianal fistulas, and nerve or spinal problems such as disc disease, lumbosacral stenosis and degenerative myelopathy.

Why is my dog pooping in its sleep?

Passing stool while resting, without noticing, usually points to a problem with the anal sphincter or the nerves that control it. Your vet can check your dog's back legs, tail and anal reflexes to look for a nerve problem.

Does fecal incontinence in dogs go away?

It depends on the cause. Incontinence from diarrhea or mild disc disease can improve or resolve with treatment, and incontinence after anal sac tumor surgery is often temporary, though it can be lasting if the nerves are damaged. Nerve damage and progressive spinal disease are more likely to be permanent.

What can I give my dog for fecal incontinence?

No medicine treats incontinence itself, so treatment depends on the cause. Your vet may suggest a diet change, treatment for bowel disease, or surgery. Don't give laxatives or anti-diarrhea medicines without your vet's advice.

What is the best diet for a dog with fecal incontinence?

A highly digestible, low-fiber diet can reduce the amount of stool, while added fiber may make stool easier to clean up. Ask your vet which approach fits your dog's cause.

Should I put my dog down for bowel incontinence?

Incontinence alone isn't a reason, especially if the cause can be treated or managed and your dog is otherwise comfortable and happy. Talk to your vet about the cause, the outlook and your dog's overall quality of life. Our page on senior dog fecal incontinence covers quality-of-life scales.