Dog Nappies for Heat, Incontinence and Marking: How to Find the Right One

A dog nappy helps in three situations: when a female dog is in season, with incontinence, and with a male dog that marks indoors. For it to stay leak-proof and not chafe, what matters is the right size, the right type and a few steps in its care. And if something does go astray: here is how to get urine stains and odour out of carpet and sofa.

Dog nappy for heat: protection for floors and sofa

Female dogs usually come into season once or twice a year, and the heat lasts about three weeks. During this time she drips blood, sometimes more, sometimes less. A pair of protective briefs for female dogs catches it and protects carpet, sofa and bed. Many female dogs clean themselves less when they wear a nappy. So take it off regularly so that your dog can clean herself.

Important: A nappy is no protection against mating. Outside, a female in season belongs on the lead and away from male dogs, with or without briefs.

For the heat, a washable female dog nappy with a tail opening is suitable, such as the Misoko female dog nappy. With the Misoko female dog nappy set with three pairs of briefs you always have a fresh one to hand while the others are in the wash.

Dog nappy for incontinence: vet first

If your dog suddenly loses urine, in its sleep, when getting up or in dribbles, have it checked by a vet first. New incontinence can have causes that are treatable, such as a bladder infection. The nappy is then help for everyday life, not the solution to the problem.

With permanent incontinence, for example in older dogs, the nappy becomes a daily companion. Then the washable version is almost always worthwhile, because you change it often. For the night, a washable pad such as the Misoko PeePad goes under the dog in its basket. It has four layers, is non-slip and catches what gets past the nappy.

Male dog nappy: when your male dog marks indoors

A male dog nappy, also called a belly band, is wrapped around the lower belly and covers only the penis. Tail and rear stay free. It helps:

• with young male dogs who are starting to mark,
• when visiting other people's homes, in a hotel or at friends with their own dog,
• with older male dogs with incontinence,
• during the time you are training house-training or marking behaviour.

The nappy stops the carpet getting wet. The marking itself does not stop as a result. You work on that with training, and if an adult male dog suddenly starts marking, a vet's check is worthwhile here too. Washable ones include the Misoko male dog nappy with a wide hook-and-loop fastener, and as a disposable version the Misoko disposable nappy in a pack of 12 with a wetness indicator. You will find all models in the Misoko dog nappies collection.

Measuring the right size

With a soft tape measure, measure the circumference directly in front of the hind legs, over the belly for male dogs, around the waist for female dogs. The tape should lie snug but not cut in. If your dog is between two sizes or has very thick fur, take the larger one. Two fingers should fit under the waistband.

All details according to the manufacturer. According to the manufacturer, the disposable male dog nappy runs somewhat small.

Washable or disposable?

Many owners combine both: washable at home, disposable on the go. Wash the washable nappies with the hook-and-loop fastener closed and, if possible, with an extra rinse cycle so that no detergent residue stays in the absorbent core. Fabric softener clogs the fibres, and then the nappy no longer absorbs.

How to get your dog used to the nappy

1. Let your dog sniff the nappy and reward it for doing so.
2. Put it on for a minute or two while you feed or play with your dog. Then take it off again.
3. Extend the time day by day. Distract your dog if it nibbles at it.
4. After the first few hours, check whether the waistband chafes or slips, and adjust the hook-and-loop fastener.

Most dogs have got used to it after a few days. Take the nappy off for walks, as your dog is supposed to relieve itself outside.

Skin care under the nappy

Moisture on the skin is the biggest problem with nappies, especially with incontinence. This is how to keep the skin healthy:

• Change often. A wet nappy comes off straight away, not only in the evening. The wetness indicator on the disposable nappy shows you when it is time.
• Clean up. At every change, clean the area with a mild cloth, for example with the Tauro Pro Line wet wipes with aloe vera, which are alcohol-free. Then pat dry.
• Plan breaks. Several times a day, a time without a nappy so that air reaches the skin.
• Keep the coat short. With long coats, such as the Coton or Maltese, a short sanitary trim in the private area is worthwhile. Urine and blood then do not cling to the coat.
• Watch for redness. If the skin is red, weeping or smells unpleasant, have the vet look at it.

On white coats, urine turns the hair yellowish over time. What helps most then is keeping the area clean and dry and cutting the coat short there. How to brighten white coat again is covered in our guide Caring for White Coats.

Removing urine stains: carpet, sofa and dog bed

A urine stain is more than a stain. What no longer smells to you after cleaning often still smells clearly to your dog, and a spot that smells of urine invites the next marking. Ordinary cleaners often only mask the odour. An enzymatic cleaner breaks down the organic residues that the odour comes from.

1. Soak it up straight away. Blot as much urine as possible with kitchen roll or a cloth. Do not rub, otherwise you spread it deeper into the fibres.
2. Spray on enzyme cleaner. Shake the Misoko Enzymatic Stain and Odour Remover Spray before use and spray directly onto the spot. On carpet and upholstery, use enough that it soaks in as deep as the urine did.
3. Leave to work. According to the manufacturer, five to ten minutes so that the enzymes can work. With old stains, rather longer.
4. Blot and leave to dry. Take it up with a cloth, then leave to air dry. Repeat if necessary.
5. Test first. On textiles, try an inconspicuous spot first. For leather and water-repellent materials, the manufacturer does not recommend the spray.

According to the manufacturer, the spray is suitable for floors, carpets, sofas, dog beds, mattresses and car seats and also works on faeces, vomit, blood and saliva, so also on stains from the heat. Avoid cleaners containing ammonia: their smell reminds dogs of urine and can make them mark all the more.

What we recommend

• Misoko female dog nappy set – for heat. Three washable briefs with tail opening, sizes S to XXL.
• Misoko male dog nappy, washable – for male dogs that mark and for older male dogs with incontinence. No insert needed.
• Misoko disposable nappy – for travel, visits and getting used to it. With wetness indicator, 12 pieces per pack.
• Misoko Enzymatic Stain and Odour Remover Spray – for every home with a dog. According to the manufacturer free of chlorine and harsh chemicals.
• Misoko PeePad – washable pad for basket, car or puppy corner.
• Tauro Pro Line wet wipes with aloe vera – for quick cleaning when changing nappies.

cotonluv is an authorised dealer of all the brands we stock.

Your next step

Measure your dog and choose the right nappy in the Misoko dog nappies collection. Not sure about the size? Message us the circumference and weight of your dog on WhatsApp and we will tell you which one fits.