Bladder expression

Helping your dog or cat urinate after a spinal injury

Some pets with spinal problems have difficulty urinating normally. This is called incontinence. If your pet cannot fully empty the bladder, your veterinary team may recommend bladder expression, a hands-on technique that helps them relieve themselves.

Three or four times a day, bring your pet to their usual bathroom spot and give them a chance to urinate on their own. That effort supports recovery, and even a small amount helps before you finish emptying the bladder. If your pet isn’t able to urinate, move on to bladder expression.

Learning bladder expression takes practice, especially with upper motor neuron (UMN) incontinence. It’s OK to ask your veterinary team for help while you learn, and be patient with yourself and your pet. With repetition, many pet parents find that the steps become easier and more comfortable.

Two types of incontinence: UMN & LMN

There are two forms of incontinence: upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) incontinence. Pets with either type are at higher risk for urinary tract infections. If your pet’s urine has an unusual odor or color, contact your veterinary team.

upper motor neuron (UMN) incontinence

Pets with an injury in the middle or upper spine often have trouble getting urine out of the bladder. The bladder may become very full, which may be painful, and if left too long, it may damage the bladder. Frequent expression helps keep the bladder comfortable and healthy.

Lower motor neuron (LMN) incontinence

Pets with a lower spine injury often have trouble keeping urine in the bladder. Urine may dribble when your pet lies down or when pressure is placed on the belly, for example, with a sling.

These pets aren’t in danger of bladder damage, but regular, thorough expression still matters to help reduce infection risk and improve cleanliness. Constant moisture sometimes leads to urine scalding, a skin rash caused by urine soaking the fur. Keeping the area dry helps. In some pets, shaving the hair in the area also helps, which is why your veterinary team or groomer may recommend what’s known as a “sanitary cut.”

How to express Your Pet’s bladder

Step 1: Find the bladder

Place one hand on either side of your pet’s belly. Slowly but firmly, press your hands toward each other.

Move slowly and use a flat hand, not fingertips. Start just behind the ribs and slide your hands up, down, and back and forth until you feel the bladder.

A full bladder often feels like a water balloon. As a general size guide:

  • A cat’s bladder: about the size of an orange

  • A dachshund’s bladder: about the size of a grapefruit

  • A golden retriever’s bladder: about the size of a soccer ball

Step 2: Express the bladder

Once you find the bladder, slowly but firmly press until you see urine come out. Continue pressing until the bladder feels flat.

As the bladder empties, it may slip away from your hands. If that happens, find it again using Step 1, then press again. Aim to get as much urine out as possible.

Step 3: Evaluate the urine

Urinary tract infections are very common in pets with spinal injuries, so each time your pet urinates, check the urine for abnormal color or smell. If your pet urinates on grass, blot the spot with a white piece of paper or paper towel to evaluate the color.

If anything seems off, contact your veterinary team.

How long should I express my pet’s bladder?

Once your pet reliably urinates a normal amount on their own twice a day, you can stop expressing their bladder.

When to seek urgent veterinary care

Seek urgent veterinary care if:

  • Your pet hasn’t urinated, and you haven’t been able to successfully express the bladder in over 24 hours.

  • Your pet seems uncomfortable or leaks small amounts of urine consistently, and bladder expression doesn’t help.

Bladder Expression FAQs

  • Bladder expression is a hands-on technique that helps empty your pet’s bladder when they can’t urinate normally on their own.

  • Three or four times a day, bring your pet to their usual bathroom spot and give them a chance to urinate on their own. If they’re unable to urinate, express their bladder.

  • Upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) incontinence are two forms of incontinence seen with spinal problems. Pets with either type are at higher risk for urinary tract infections.

  • With lower motor neuron (LMN) incontinence, urine may dribble when your pet lies down or when pressure is placed on the belly, such as with a sling.

  • Each time your pet urinates, check their urine for abnormal color or smell. If your pet urinates on grass, blot the spot with a white piece of paper or paper towel to evaluate the color. If anything seems off, contact your veterinary team. Urinary tract infections are very common in pets with spinal injuries.

  • Yes. Urinary tract infections are very common in pets with spinal injuries. If your pet’s urine has an unusual odor or color, contact your veterinary team right away.

  • Once your pet reliably urinates a normal amount on their own twice a day, you can stop expressing their bladder.

  • Seek urgent veterinary care if your pet hasn’t urinated and you haven’t been able to successfully express their bladder in over 24 hours. Also, if your pet seems uncomfortable or leaks small amounts of urine consistently, and bladder expression doesn’t help, contact your vet right away.