Some dogs are only affected during their sleep. Check regularly to see if their bedding has been soiled since this can also be a sign of incontinence.
Don’t resort to using diapers before checking to see if the underlying condition is treatable or not.
This will also save you time since you won’t have to wash them several times a day.
In the long-run, washable diapers are more cost-effective. However, they’re also more labor-intensive since you’ll have to do a lot of laundry. There are also other related accessories, like suspenders to keep diapers in place.
If your dog defecates, someone should be on hand to change their diaper immediately. If your dog is dealing with mainly urinary issues, you should still change your dog’s diaper a few times a day. Just as a baby’s genitals need to be cleaned each time its diaper is changed, so do your dog’s.
On the other hand, if your dog consistently resists wearing diapers or doing so is significantly affecting their comfort and/or mobility, it’s probably not the best option for your pet.
If your dog is currently taking prescription drugs, inquire if any of their medicines might be causing incontinence as a side-effect. If that’s the case, an adjustment to their dosage might help address the problem. Keep in mind that many of these treatments can be expensive, temporary, and/or have serious side-effects. Be sure to factor these considerations into your decision about whether or not to pursue them versus addressing the symptoms with diapers and other measures.
There is also special bedding available for incontinent dogs to keep your floors clean and your dog from sleeping in a puddle. You can also protect furniture and floors with washable pee pads, which are available from any medical supply business. Keep in mind that this alternative to diapers is also labor-intensive since it involves constant washing and cleaning. It also presents a significant alteration to the aesthetic and cleanliness of your house.
This is also nice to do for your dog if you do decide to put them in diapers since it gives them a chance to spend part of the day diaper-free. Remember to only do this as the weather allows. Senior dogs are less able to regulate their body temperatures and should not be left out unsupervised in hot or cold weather.
In spite of the cost implications, you may want to use disposable diapers because they’re more convenient. Washable diapers, after all, must be washed regularly. The other pros of washable diapers include better fit and less noise from rustling plastic when your dog is moving around.
Belly bands tend to be less obstructive than diapers for your dog and less hassle for you since they generally velcro on and off.
Check the sizing chart for each brand to ensure you get the right size. In general, the breakdowns for weights and waist sizes are as follows: extra-small - 4-8 lbs / 10-13”, small - 8-15 lbs / 13-19”, medium - 15-35 lbs / 18-25”, large - 35-55 lbs / 20-27”, extra-large - 55-90 lbs / 25-34”. Male dogs sometimes need a size up to accommodate their genitalia. To ensure the sizing is right, you’ll have to test the diapers on your dog. It should be snug enough to prevent leakage but comfortable enough that it does not cause chaffing, especially around the elastic openings.
