You must have noticed your dog peeing blood, making you worried or confused. It’s not something anyone wants to see, but don’t panic! There are several reasons why your dog could be having bloody urine, and many of them can be treated. Let’s walk through the most common causes and what you should do immediately if this happens to your dog.
What Does It Mean When Your Dog Is Peeing Blood?
When your dog is peeing blood, it’s a condition called hematuria in medical terms. This means there are blood cells in your dog’s urine. You might notice their pee looks red or even a bit pink. While this can be alarming, it’s not always a sign of something very serious. Sometimes it’s caused by something minor, like a UTI (urinary tract infection), or it could be linked to something like bladder stones or even more serious conditions like kidney cancer.
If your dog is peeing blood, pay attention to how they’re acting. Are they still eating, drinking, and playing like normal, or are they showing signs of pain or discomfort?
Why Is My Dog Peeing Blood But Acting Normal?
When your pup is peeing blood but seem to be acting totally normal, it might not be as urgent as it seems. Here are a 3 reasons this could be happening:
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs are one of the most common reasons dogs get blood in their urine. Some dogs don’t seem to be in much pain, but they can still have bloody urine. If you notice your dog peeing blood, it’s worth taking them to the vet to make sure it’s nothing more serious.
- Bladder Stones or Crystals: Dogs can develop bladder stones or crystals in their urine that can cause mild bleeding. You might notice blood without your dog showing signs of discomfort.
- Injury or Trauma: Has your dog recently had an injury or bumped into something? Sometimes trauma to the urinary tract can cause blood in the urine, but your dog might not act like they’re in pain.
Even the dog seems okay, it’s a good idea to check in with your vet. Blood in the urine isn’t something you want to ignore.
Female Dog Peeing Blood But Acting Normal
For female dogs, there are a few extra things that might be causing blood in the urine:
- Heat Cycle (Estrus): If your dog is in heat, she might have some blood in her urine, which is completely normal. However, if the bleeding seems excessive or lasts too long, it’s worth mentioning to your vet.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Just like male dogs, female dogs are more prone to UTIs, which can cause blood in their urine. UTIs can sometimes go unnoticed, especially if your dog isn’t acting sick.
- Pyometra: This is a serious infection in the uterus that can cause blood in the urine. If your dog also seems tired, refuses to eat, or is acting strangely, this could be a sign of pyometra, and you should see a vet right away.
My Puppy is Peeing Blood: What Could It Mean?
If you have a puppy that’s peeing blood, it’s even more important to get them to the vet right away. Puppies can be more vulnerable to infections and other serious health problems. Some possible causes include:
- Infections: Just like older dogs, puppies can get kidney infections, UTIs, or even parasitic infections that lead to bloody urine.
- Congenital Issues: Some puppies are born with problems in their urinary system, which can cause them to have blood in their urine.
- Injury: Puppies are curious and can get into all kinds of trouble. An injury, even if it seems minor, could cause blood in dog urine.
If your puppy is peeing blood, don’t wait—take them to the vet within 24 hours to be safe.
Why Is My Dog’s Pee Red?
When the dog’s pee looks red, it could be from blood in their urine, but it might also be something else. Here’s what to look for:
- Hematuria (Blood in Urine): The most common cause of red pee is blood in the urine. This could be from a UTI, bladder stones, or even a kidney infection.
- Food or Medications: Some foods, like beets, or certain medications can make your dog’s urine look red. If your dog has eaten something unusual or started a new medication, this might be the cause.
If you’re not sure whether the red pee is from blood in the urine, or something else, it’s a good idea to check with your vet.
What Should I Do If My Dog Is Peeing Blood?
When you notice blood in your dog’s urine, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet to get to the bottom of it. Here’s what will happen:
- Physical Exam: The vet will examine your dog to check for signs of pain or discomfort. They’ll also ask you questions about your dog’s behavior, eating habits, and any other symptoms.
- Urine Test (Urinalysis): The vet will analyze your dog’s urine to check for blood cells, signs of infection, or crystals that could indicate bladder stones.
- X-rays or Ultrasound: If needed, your vet might take X-rays or use ultrasound to look for stones or any issues in the upper urinary tract, like bladder cancer or kidney stones.If you want to know more about imaging costs, check out our post on dog ultrasound cost or dog x-ray cost.
- Blood Test: This helps the vet check your dog’s overall health, especially the kidneys, and see if there’s a larger issue, like kidney infections or kidney cancer.
Treatment Options for Blood in Dog Urine
Once the vet has figured out what’s causing your dog to pee blood, they’ll suggest the best treatment. Some common treatments include:
- Antibiotics: If it’s a UTI, your dog will likely need antibiotics to clear up the infection.
- Surgery: If your dog has bladder stones or kidney stones, surgery might be needed to remove them.
- Pain Relief: If your dog is uncomfortable, the vet may prescribe pain medication to help them feel better.
- Dietary Changes: If your dog has bladder stones or other urinary issues, the vet might recommend a special diet to prevent further problems.
Prevention and Care Tips
Here are a few things you can do to help prevent blood in dog urine in the future:
- Keep your dog hydrated: Make sure your dog is drinking enough water. This helps keep their urinary system healthy and prevents things like kidney stones.
- Feed a healthy diet: A good diet can help prevent problems like bladder stones or UTIs.
- Vet check-ups: Take your dog for regular check-ups so your vet can catch problems early, especially if your dog has had urinary issues in the past.
- Watch for changes: If your dog is peeing blood, straining to urinate, or seems in pain, don’t wait to talk to your vet.
Conclusion
When your dog is peeing blood, it’s important to take an action right away. While it can be scary, there are many potential causes, from minor infections to more serious conditions. The good news is that with early treatment, most causes of bloody urine in dogs can be managed successfully.