Dogs are one of the most precious gifts to a dog owner, but there are some things about them that annoy us.
One such annoying thing to see is when your dog leaves brown spots on the bed, pillows, or anywhere they sleep.
It makes you wonder whether everything is normal with your dog or not and if it’s a matter of concern.
As this happens frequently, cleaning the brown spots on your bedsheet or pillows can be tough, and knowing why this happens is also challenging.
There can be a lot of reasons for the brown spots your dog is leaving on the bed; while some reasons may be serious, others have a simple solution.
In this article, we will discuss all the probable reasons why a dog leaves brown spots on beds or pillows or anywhere they sit or nap and how you can solve this issue and prevent it from happening again.
Let us start the read by knowing what causes your dog to leave brown spots on the bed.
What Causes Your Dog to Leave Brown Spots on the Bed?
You love your dog, there is no doubt about it, but seeing the brown spots on bedsheets or elsewhere makes you go berserk.
There can be various reasons for such brown spots; let us have a look at some of those reasons.
1. Urinary Issues
It may be that the brown spots on the bed are caused by urinary issues in dogs. There may be different reasons why your dog is urinating on the bed; either it is due to anxiety, lack of house training, or a way of marking its territory, which can be rare.
If urination is frequent, your dog probably suffers from Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The infection causes the urine to turn brown with a very pungent odor. If you think your dog is suffering from a Urinary tract infection, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
2. Stressed
Dogs are very sensitive creatures; some breeds of dogs are even more. If your dog is stressed or anxious, they will likely urinate in bed.
They get anxious even at the sounds of fireworks, lightning, or loud noises, and this anxiety remains with them for a long time, which may cause them to urinate on the bed, creating brown spots.
Stress and anxiety also cause drooling, panting, and yawning. Brown spots in bed may also be the saliva coming out from drooling, causing brown stains. If you see signs of anxiety, contact a vet immediately.
3. Sweating
A dog sweat just like humans do, not as much as humans or not through their skin; their way of sweating is different.
Dogs sweat through their paw pads, and when they sweat while sleeping, the sweating causes brown spots in the bed.
This sweating tends to exceed when a dog is not groomed regularly or has thick layers of skin and is in a warmer climate.
4. Impaction of the Anal Glands
If you are a pet owner, you probably will know about a dog’s anal glands. Every dog, be it male or female, has these glands. There are two glands on both sides of a dog’s anus, called anal glands.
These anal sacs are filled with fluids and are released every time during their bowel movement. However, some of the fluid remains in the sac, which then dries and forms a jam in the opening of the sac, causing impaction and inflammation.
It has to be cleared manually. When not cleared, it can cause serious infection, and blood or pus could be seen coming out of it, resulting in brown spots.
If you see this happening, rush to a veterinarian and let them know of the situation, as things may escalate quickly.
Some other reasons for such brown spots include:
- Dietary Problems
- Due to Old Age
- Underlying Medical Conditions
What is the Brown Stuff Coming out of My Dog’s Bum?
No matter how much you love your dog, some things are gross, and one such thing is to evaluate if it is not regular poop, then what is the brown stuff that is coming out of a dog’s bum.
As a pet owner, it becomes extremely important for you to determine the difference between normal stool or feces from something that is not common and maybe something else.
Let us know what is the brown stuff that comes out of a dog’s bum.
1. Pus
The brown stuff may be a thick, creamy liquid formed in an infected area. It may have a bad odor.
The pus excreting from a dog’s bum may be white or yellow in color, depending on the tissue.
2. Anal Fluid Discharge
If your dog has consumed something that is causing trouble in the dog’s digestive system, then the body will release a clear fluid through the anal glands.
This excretion of thin liquid from the anal will look brown if it is coming along with poop.
3. Anal Sac Disorder
When your dog’s anal glands get jammed or impacted, it may release a little browny liquid due to the anal sac disorder.
It is very painful and may make a dog uncomfortable sitting properly or sleeping.
Signs That Your Dog Needs to have its Anal Glands Checked by Vet
Dog’s getting their anal glands impacted is a common problem amongst them, and regular monitoring is our job; failing to check for their impacted glands can cause our dogs a lot of pain and discomfort.
Below are some signs that tell you it is time your dog needs to have its anal glands checked by a veterinarian.
1. Scooting
One way of communicating their trouble to you is by dragging their back end along the floor. When they do that, you need to understand that they are feeling uncomfortable because of their anal glands.
Scooting helps them find a bit of comfort and relaxation. If you see them scooting along the ground, consult a vet immediately.
2. Excessive Licking
When your dog starts licking around the anal area more than it should, it is a clear sign that all is not right and they need some assistance.
Excessive licking is a try from the dog’s end to provide relaxation from the impacted glands.
3. Foul Odor
If any excretion from the dog’s rear end smells pungent and unpleasant, it is a sign that the glands are now impacted and need veterinarian care.
4. Swelling or Redness
Dogs’ anal glands, when impacted, turn reddish, and inflamation occurs around the anus.
5. Pain or Discomfort
Your dog may display signs of discomfort, such as whining, yelping, or even snapping when you touch their rear end or attempt to handle the area around their anus.
6. Difficulty Defecating
Dogs with impacted or infected anal glands may have difficulty passing stool. They may strain, cry out in pain, or have diarrhea.
7. Irregular or Changed Bowel Movements
Anal gland problems, such as diarrhea or constipation, can sometimes change your dog’s bowel habits.
8. Visible Discharge
You may notice a discharge from your dog’s anal glands in severe cases. This discharge can be bloody, pus-like, or have a foul smell.
If you see any of the above symptoms, get your dog’s anal glands checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Leaving Brown Spots on Bed?
If you have a dog, you must be tired of seeing brown spots on beds and pillows.
It can be irritating and annoying at the same time, as these brown spots are hard to clean and also tiring.
Below are some solutions to help you prevent your dogs from leaving any spots on the bed.
1. House Train Your Dog
The first thing you should do is house-train your dog. Train your dog how and where is the right place to urinate.
Training them to go outside to take any bathroom break will help you keep your bed clean at all times and the entire house clean.
2. Fix their Diet
Food is among the most important things in everyone’s life, especially pets. They are very sensitive to certain foods. Providing diets that help them express their glands naturally will help prevent impaction and thus any brown spots in your bed.
3. Providing their own Bed
Provide your dog with its own bed; a waterproof bed will be even better. Train your dog to sleep only in their bed; this way, it can be easily cleaned or replaced even if they wet it.
Also, it will provide them with their own space, and they won’t come to your bed to sleep. Placing the bed in a place where it’s not too hot or too cold will be ideal.
4. Using Dog Diapers
If none of the above tips works, or if the dog is aging and is too old to adapt to any of the situations or training, then you can use a dog diaper, which will prevent any spilling of unwanted liquids on your bed.
Cleaning and Brown Spot Removal Tips
Cleaning the brown spots on your bed or pillows is tiring and tough. Follow some tips to get the cleaning done effectively and easily.
If you see a stain, do not let it set; act fast and clean it using a cloth or a paper towel. Do not rub or scrub the area of the spots as it will only spread; rather, just try to blot the area.
You do not want to damage the cloth or the fabric while cleaning the stain and look for a cleaning solution that is not toxic to dogs or pets and is gentle for the fabric at the same time.
Certain chemical solutions are available in the market specially made to clean stains created by dogs or pets. Do not use any chemicals that will stay in the fabric, damage the fabric, and harm the dog.
Collect all the required products at once, including a cleaning solution, a clean cloth or paper towel, and water.
Do not go all blazing; instead, try in a smaller area of the fabric just to make sure that the chemical is not having any reverse effect or the stain is not spreading elsewhere or isn’t damaging the cloth or the fabric.
Sometimes, the color fading or damage occurs after a few minutes, so give it some time before cleaning.
Apply the solution to the cloth; refrain from applying it directly, as it may harm the fabric or cause excessive saturation.
Blot the spotty area with the cloth and go from outwards to inwards towards the stain. It will prevent the stain from spreading.
Then rinse the fabric thoroughly with clean water, and try to remove any residue there is of the cleaning solutions.
Dry it in a place with full sunlight, which will help the cloth completely dry and be ready for use.
FAQ’s
Yes, there are many types of stain remover in the market that help clean the stains caused by pets. You can also use home remedies like vinegar and water mixtures to clean the stains.
Many signs tell you when your dog needs its anal gland expressed. If they are scooting or excessively licking their anal areas, it means they need their anal glands expressed.
Yes, they often poop or urinate to mark their territory. If you have another dog or a pet in a house, they will urinate in different places to mark their territory and authority.
Conclusion
If your dog is leaving brown spots on your bed, it is a matter of concern, and there can be many different reasons why your dog is doing it. It may be due to stress, anxiety, or impacted anal glands. Take this article as a guide to understanding why they do that and the signs they need their anal glands expressed.
This article has several tips to prevent your dog from leaving brown spots on the bed and solutions to clean them effectively.
Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.