Incontinence In Female Dogs

When dogs are spayed before they are fully grown, the hormonal source of estrogen that stimulates growth of cells in the urinary tract is removed. About 20% of our large female dogs later become incontinent as the urinary tract "withers" without estrogen. For many dogs, estrogen supplements can help. Before using pharmaceutical estrogens, such as DES, which has the potential to cause bone marrow depression and anemia, try supplementing with foods naturally high in estrogen.

The following are foods with phyto or plant estrogens:

• alfalfa
• Astragalus
• black beans
• black cohosh (cimicifuga)

• buckwheat
• burdock root
• cabbage
• cow peas
• flax
• garlic
• green beans
• licorice root
• millet
• mung beans
• olives
• parsley
• plums
• pomegranate
• pumpkin
• red beans
• red clover sprouts and most vegetable sprouts
• saw palmetto
• sesame seeds
• soybeans & tofu
• split peas
• sprouts, especially the seed
• squash
• sunflower seeds
• turkey rhubarb root