Is your dog suddenly peeing in the house after starting a raw food diet? If so, it likely has to do with high sodium consumption, but it could also mean there’s not enough sodium consumed. There are also other reasons for an increase in urination leading to a dog suddenly peeing in the house after starting a raw food diet. Keep reading to find out what they are and what you can do about them.
Can Dog Food Cause Urinary Incontinence?
There is no clear evidence to suggest that raw dog food can cause urinary incontinence in dogs. Urinary incontinence is a condition where a dog loses control over their bladder and involuntarily leaks urine. According to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Washington State University, urinary incontinence is usually caused by a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or bladder stones, and is not typically caused by diet (source: WSU).
That being said, some dog food ingredients may contribute to urinary tract issues, such as bladder stones or urinary tract infections, which can lead to urinary incontinence. For example, diets that are high in certain minerals, like calcium or phosphorus, may increase the risk of bladder stone formation (source: VCA Hospitals). However, this is not specific to raw dog food and can also occur with other types of dog food.
It is important to note that raw dog food may pose other health risks to dogs and their owners. Raw dog food can be contaminated with harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause foodborne illness in both dogs and humans. Additionally, raw dog food may not be nutritionally balanced and can lead to deficiencies or imbalances in a dog’s diet.
In summary, while there is no direct evidence to suggest that raw dog food causes urinary incontinence, certain ingredients in any type of dog food may contribute to urinary tract issues. Raw dog food also poses other health risks and may not be nutritionally balanced, so it is important to consult with a veterinarian before feeding your dog a raw diet.
Reasons for Dog Suddenly Peeing the House After Starting a Raw Food Diet
Understanding some of the common causes of increased urination or urinary incontinence can help dog owners know what to do next to stop the problem.
High Sodium Intake Increases Urine Output
Sodium plays a vital role in a dog’s body, just like in a human’s body. Unfortunately, too much of it can cause health issues.
When humans and canines consume too much sodium, the kidneys have to work overtime to balance the sodium levels inside the body. To get rid of excess sodium, the kidney increases urine production.
Sodium attacks water. When sodium enters the body, it enters the bloodstream. Water also enters the bloodstream to regulate sodium levels. When there’s too much sodium, there’s too much water. The fluid excess leads to an increase in urination.
If you’re wondering why high sodium is an issue in your fresh raw dog food, you’ll be surprised to know that the chicken (and other meats) you’re serving your pup may be high in sodium.
Approximately one-third of fresh chicken in grocery stores is synthetically saturated with water, salt, and other additives. The reason for injecting the chicken with water and salt is to make the lean chicken more tender and juicier. A serving of chicken (4 ounces) can have as much as 440 mg of sodium.
A reduction in sodium may reduce the amount of your dog’s urine, which would solve the issue of your dog suddenly peeing in the house after starting a raw food diet.
High Protein Increases Urination
Too much protein can also increase urination. Extra protein the body doesn’t use is broken down and used for energy. Nitrogen production increases and that requires water. The excess water causes the body to produce more urine. The medical term for when protein increases urination is “protein dehydrating”.
See also: Can High Protein Dog Food Cause Diarrhea?
Low Protein Increases Urination
Low protein diets can also dilute urine. When a human or dog’s body doesn’t receive enough sodium, blood sugar can rise leading to a condition called pseudo-hyponatremia. As glucose rises in the body, the kidneys regulate the amount of it in the bloodstream with water. The excess glucose and water have to go somewhere and that means an increase in dog urine.
Hormone Imbalance and Frequent Urination
The hormonal imbalance that often occurs with diseases such as Cushing’s disease and thyroid disease may be a reason your dog is suddenly peeing in your house with a raw food diet. Oftentimes, these diseases affect senior dogs, but adult dogs can suffer from them, too.
New Medication and More Dog Urine
If your dog has recently started a new medication, that could be a reason for the increase in your dog’s pee. The reason the medication leads to an increase in your dog’s urine depends on what the medication is used for, but this is a common side effect to be aware of, especially if your adult dog or senior dog has recently been diagnosed with new health issues.
Urinary Tract Infection
Bladder infections or urinary tract infections can cause frequent urination. Usually, the volume of your dog’s urine isn’t much but your dog has urinary incontinence.
Senior Dogs and Urinary Incontinence
Senior dogs often suffer from urinary incontinence. While it can happen with male dogs and female dogs, it’s more common with females. It has to do with the deterioration of the bladder’s neck. This deterioration leads to urine leaking out.
You may want to consider the best belly bands for male dogs if you’re dealing with this situation.
Bladder Stones
Untreated bladder stones in adult dogs can cause chronic urinary problems such as pain, infection, and frequent urination. The reason for it is that the bladder stones become lodged in the opening of the bladder and that blocks the flow of urine leading to a urinary tract infection.
Kidney Disease
An increase in your dog’s pee may mean your pup is suffering from kidney disease. When the kidney filters are damaged, it can lead to an increase in dog pee.
What to Do About Your Dog Suddenly Peeing In The House After Starting a Raw Food Diet
The first thing you should do if your pet is suddenly peeing in your home is to contact your vet. The veterinarian will rule out any medical causes (as mentioned above) because treating the root cause of the issue is important not only for stopping the problem but also for the overall health of your pooch.
Dog owners who have started a raw food diet with their dogs should be careful about the ingredients in the food. Focus on organic – non-GMO meats so there isn’t an issue with high sodium consumption.
Low sodium levels can also be a concern with a pooch eating a raw diet. For that reason, be sure to study the nutritional information on any meats and other ingredients that have them. That will help you decide if you should add healthy salts to the raw diet.
The best way to really know you’re providing your dog with the right amount of nutrients is to purchase your fresh raw dog food from a company that specializes in raw dog food. Most companies work with a veterinarian to ensure their products contain the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support a healthy body.
Dog Ownership Guide recommends:
Dog owners can read more about the above companies by clicking on them. They deliver fresh raw food to your home.
Product for Urinary Incontinence
As your male dog is receiving care for one of the common causes of increased urination, you may want to consider investing in a belly band. The belly band wraps around the body of a male dog like a diaper. Belly bands are perfect for old dogs that are simply at the age of incontinence. You can read more about belly bands in this article:
Pros and Cons of Belly Bands for Dogs
Unfortunately, belly bands do not work for female dogs.
Dog Suddenly Peeing in the House with a Raw Food Diet
A raw food diet is still the best food for your dog even though you’re having this experience with your pooch. Bodies are a complex system and sometimes, they need to be figured out and treated to perform at their optimal levels.
Work with your veterinarian on the issues you’re having with your dog’s peeing in the house. The veterinarian can help diagnose and treat any issues and advise on how to best feed your dog a raw diet. Most of them will recommend ordering from a fresh raw dog food company for the reason stated above – the recipes have been created with nutrition in mind.
Additional Information:
Health Benefits of Raw Dog Food
