Bowel or faecal incontinence happens when a dog cannot control when their stool comes out or when the process of passing stool is not following its normal sequence. This is usually due to a problem with the spine or nerve function but may develop spontaneously in senior dogs.

There are many possible causes for incontinence, and in older dogs, there can be an association with cognitive dysfunction (dementia). In younger dogs, bowel incontinence is usually due to injury or nerve problems.

What to do if your dog is incontinent >What to do if your dog is incontinent [What to do

Most common causes of bowel incontinence in dogs >Most common causes of bowel incontinence in dogs [Causes

When to worry about bowel incontinence in dogs >When to worry about bowel incontinence in dogs [When to worry

How to prevent bowel incontinence in dogs >How to prevent bowel incontinence in dogs [Prevention

Things to look out for if your dog has bowel incontinence >Things to look out for if your dog has bowel incontinence [Look out for

Home remedies for bowel incontinence in dogs >Home remedies for bowel incontinence in dogs [How to help at home

Vet treatment for bowel incontinence in dogs >Vet treatment for bowel incontinence in dogs [Vet treatment

Dogs at higher risk for bowel incontinence >Dogs at higher risk for bowel incontinence [Risk

Other causes of bowel incontinence in dogs

• Infections or masses around the anus, for example, cancer of the anal sacs

• Conditions that affect nerve and muscle function, such as peripheral neuropathies

• Fibrocartilaginous Thromboembolism ( a blood clot, often in the blood vessels going to the spine or back end)

• Parasites in the brain or spinal cord (such as Neospora caninum)