If you have a dog, then you're probably familiar with the occasional sight of blood in your dog's pee. It's definitely not a pretty sight, but fortunately, it's usually nothing to worry about. In this blog post, we'll discuss the causes of blood in urine and the steps that you take to get rid of it.
Dog Urine and Stool Color: What They Mean
Abnormal urine color may be caused by infection, disease, medicines, or diet. Cloudy or milky urine may be caused by a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or crystals in the urine. Here, the color of a dog's urine or stool can also identify what may be doing on in the animals system:
| Color | Meaning |
| Dark yellow to orange urine |
May be due to liver disease |
| Amber-colored urine |
Can result from dehydration |
| Red, pink, or cola-colored urine |
May indicate blood in the urine and should be checked by a doctor. |
| Brown, tea-colored, or dark cola-colored urine |
Most often due to medications such as phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Pyridium), rifampin (Rifadin), senna products, and laxatives containing dyes. |
| Black or tarry stools |
This is known as (melena) and can be caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. |
| Green stools |
Can be due to malabsorption, generally indicating that the dog is not absorbing nutrients from their food properly. |
| White or clay-colored stools |
Often seen with liver and gallbladder disorders, such as cholecystitis, cirrhosis, and biliary tract blockage. |
| Pale stools |
May be a sign of pancreatic cancer. |
What is Hematuria in Dogs
Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. It can be a sign of a number of different health problems and should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.
The most common cause of hematuria in dogs is urinary tract infection. Other causes include kidney disease, bladder stones, cancer, and trauma.
Treatment for hematuria will vary depending on the underlying cause. Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics while more serious conditions may require surgery or other forms of treatment.
Causes of Blood in a Dog's Urine
There are a number of reasons why a dog's urine might contain blood, including:
Upper Urinary Tract Causes
Urinary tract problems are sometimes the cause of hematuria. Blood in the urine can come from the upper urinary tract, which includes the kidneys.
The causes of upper urinary tract bleeding in dogs include:
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are rare, but they may affect either or both kidneys and result in blood in the urine.
Kidney Infection
If your dog is urinating blood, one or both of his or her kidneys may be diseased.
Idiopathic Renal Hematuria
Because "idiopathic" implies unknown sources, blood in dog urine that originates in the kidneys is associated with an unknown cause. A kidney infection, immune system disorders, or medicines are three common causes.
Kidney Cancer
Although kidney cancer in dogs is uncommon, it does occur and can be a source of blood in your dog's urine. This disease is classified as either renal neoplasia or metastasis (spreading) to other areas of the body.
Renal Telangiectasia
Telangiectasia is a medical condition in which numerous tiny renal veins become dilated. Certain breeds, such as Welsh corgis, are genetically predisposed to this illness, which can result in blood in the urine.
Lower Urinary Tract Causes
The lower urinary system comprises the bladder and urethra and enables urine to leave the body.
The following are some of the most common causes of blood in the lower UT in dogs:
Bladder Infection
By far, the most frequent reason for blood in dog urine is a urinary tract infection (UTI). It can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from skin allergies to urethra anatomy and hormone-related incontinence in spayed females.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones are tiny crystals that develop in the bladder and cause irritation, bleeding, and obstructions of the urethra. These "stones" form for a variety of reasons, including dietary habits, genetics, or long-term infections.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer in dogs is essentially the same as in people. The symptoms here include bladder control issues, blood in the urine, and difficulty urinating.
Prostate Problems
Intact male dogs are more prone to prostate difficulties and uroliths, as well as urinary tract infections.
Other Causes
In addition to the above situations, there are several other factors that may cause blood in a dog's urine:
- Infectious disease (such as bacterial, viral, or illness)
- Hematuria from chemotherapy
- Idiopathic causes (unknown)
- Inflammatory disease or vasculitis
- Coagulopathy (this is a disease that affects the blood's ability to clot, causing extended or excessive bleeding)
- A low number of platelets or thrombocytes in the circulation (thrombocytopenia)
- Trauma
What to do if Your Dog is Urinating Blood
If your dog is urinating blood, go to an emergency veterinarian or make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible.
During the examination, your veterinarian will look for signs of illness and may conduct a series of tests. This may include a urinalysis, a urine culture, an X-ray, or ultrasound of your dog's bladder and kidneys. After detecting symptoms, you want to make an appointment as soon as possible so that your dog's condition can be diagnosed and treated correctly.
Give a complete history of your dog's health, including a description of symptoms and signs, when seeing the veterinarian. This information might assist your veterinarian in determining the source of blood in your dog's urine, along with the correct treatment for it.
How to Treat Dog Pee Blood
Treatment will differ depending on the cause of the blood ranging from antibiotics and changes in diet to more serious methods like surgery.
Anti-inflammatory or pain medications are commonly given to dogs suffering from lower urinary tract issues. In every case, nutrition plays a huge role in keeping your dog happy and healthy.
How to Prevent This from Happening
Taking your dog for regular clinical inspections is the greatest method to keep him healthy and happy while avoiding urinary issues. Your veterinarian can tell you if your dog has a predisposition to urinary problems and if so, will check his urine regularly. This will ensure that your pet is in excellent condition.
It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your dog's urinary habits at home by monitoring his behaviors and routine. If you detect that your dog is peeing more often, has trouble urinating, or is "spotting" frequently, see your veterinarian. These actions can be indications of one or more of the medical problems.
How to Clean Dog Pee, Blood, and Odor
The best way to clean dog pee, blood, odor is to use Clean+Green Pet Stain + Odor Remover sprays. These are good to use around kids and pets because they are plant-based, unscented, hypoallergenic, and free of bleach, dyes, ammonia, phosphates, and other petrochemicals.
Fast, Easy, Effective, and Convenient stain removers to keep your home clean and free of pet messes! These professional-strength sprays permanently eliminate the source of stains and odors. Simply remove excess pet messes, spray the area until damp, and allow it to dry. No scrubbing or rinsing required!
Available for a variety of surfaces to suit any need, our pet odor eliminators are carefully formulated to clean up your animal messes. They are ideal for removing urine, vomit, hairballs and more, to keep your home clean and odor-free! They work on carpets, rugs, sofas, mattresses, concrete or litter boxes.
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In Conclusion
As a dog owner, you are your dog's best friend, so you are responsible for maintaining his health and his happiness. If you detect blood in your dog's urine, it is critical that you bring them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Causes of this problem range in severity, so your pet must be treated as soon as possible to determine a treatment plan. Take your pet to an emergency veterinarian for further advice.