Could this be down to old age?

[HatticusFinch]

Hello, just looking for abit of advice please!

I have a 13 year old Golden Retriever (who has to take Thyroid medication and has arthritis in his front legs).

Other than those problems over the last week he's started started messing in the night. Last night he did it on his bed, which is really unusual for him.

He has a short walk everyday, and he is able to go outside up until we go to bed. Is this a common problem as dogs get older? In the past he has barked if he needed to go out in the night but he's not making a sound and doing it without warning.

Any advice on how to deal with this would be much appreciated.

[Owllady]

Have you tried feeding him at a different time in the day, maybe his last feed earlier (if he has two) and then letting him out just before you go to bed? would he still do it then?

Unfortunately dogs can become more incontinent, just like people do, as they get older - so it could just be normal. If you are worried though I would seek veterinary advice

[Tillypo]

I would take to the vets it could be the fact he is just getting old, an infection or could even be a side effect of his medication even if he has been on the tablets a while. Hope he feels better soon.

[HatticusFinch]

Thanks, he was at the vets last week for a check up and he doesn't appear to have any other problems.

I haven't changed his routine, but I'll try feeding him earlier.

I was up early the other day and watched him get out of his bed do a wee, he didn't even attempt to alert us, he still seemed half asleep.

He's also asleep most of the day, it's old age I think