Mary Allen
Is your dog peeing blood?
“Oh God, oh God” is probably everyone’s first thought in such a situation. “What now?”
If your dog has blood in their urine, you should definitely see a veterinarian. That much is certain!
But what could be the causes of bloody urine?
In this article you will find out what could be behind blood-red pee and how you can help your dog with or before acute illnesses.
In a nutshell: Why does my dog have blood in his urine?
If your dog has blood in their urine, it can indicate a variety of diseases. In addition to normal bleeding during heat, blood in the urine can also indicate a bladder infection, bladder, kidney or urinary stones, prostate disease or bladder cancer.
Since the symptoms of all these diseases are very similar, there is no way around a veterinary examination and diagnosis.
The 5 most common causes of bloody urine in dogs
When the urine is blood red, many dog owners fear the worst. This is good because it alerts you to go to the vet and you should by all means do it!
Blood in the urine can be harmless or life-threatening. We clarify:
1. Bladder infection
The most common cause of blood in the urine in dogs is a bacterial infection in the bladder. Cystitis in dogs is similar to that in humans and can be very painful for your dog.
Drops of urine (sometimes with blood) and a constant urge to urinate indicate an inflamed bladder.
A bladder infection must be treated with antibiotics. You can find out how you can support your dog at home during this time further down in the text.
2. Heat
Anyone who has never had a bitch or is in heat for the first time may be startled by “blood in the urine”. If it then turns out that the bitch is in heat, everything is fine.
A bloody discharge from the vulva is quite normal in this case.
However, if this happens outside of normal heat or if your neutered dog pees blood, this is not normal and you should definitely consult a vet!
You can also tell if your dog is in heat by the fact that her genitals are swollen and she may be behaving strangely. If you would like to learn more about heat in female dogs, please read our article on “Female First Heat”.
3. Kidney, urinary or bladder stones
It almost doesn’t matter where you sit. Kidney, urinary, or bladder stones will cause your dog to be in pain and urinate blood.
They can form anywhere in the urinary system and can be due to genetic or dietary causes, as well as chronic infections.
The “stones” are often located in the bladder (kidney stones are less common in dogs) and lead to symptoms similar to those of a bladder infection. From here they can also migrate into the urethra and lead to a life-threatening urethral occlusion.
Only a veterinarian can reliably tell you whether your dog is being plagued by the unwanted crystals.
4. Prostate disease
A disease of the prostate is relatively common, especially in uncastrated male dogs. Since the prostate is in close proximity to the urethra and bladder, diseases can also be reflected in bloody urine.
Other signs may include constipation, penile discharge, difficulty or inability to urinate, diarrhea, incontinence, behavior changes, fever and an uncharacteristically flat stool.
If you suspect your dog’s prostate is enlarged, your next step is to see the vet, because that’s no joke!
There can be many reasons behind it, from benign tumors to cysts, chronic prostate inflammation and abscesses to cancer.
In addition to castration, which automatically reduces the size of the prostate by around 50%, there are other treatment options.
5. Tumors/Cancer
As you can see, blood in the urine can indicate some life-threatening conditions. This also applies to malignant tumors in the bladder or urethra.
Bladder or urethral cancer often manifests itself as an increased urge to urinate, drop by drop peeing, blood in the urine, painful urination and possibly urinary incontinence.
Since the symptoms do not directly indicate cancer, an ultrasound of the bladder and urethra is absolutely necessary.
Additionally, the vet can perform a revealing BTA test and biopsy (tissue sample).
Since tumors in this area can only be partially removed or not at all, chemotherapy is also often used in dogs.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Whenever your dog pees blood, you should pack him up and take him to the vet right away. Only he can make an accurate diagnosis!
Depending on whether it is a harmless bladder infection that can be treated with antibiotics or a prostate disease, the treatment options are of course very different.
My dog has blood in his urine – what can I do?
First of all you pack your dog up and take him to the vet to find out exactly what is causing the blood in his urine! Promised?
There are of course many other possible causes than the five we have listed, but let’s assume your dog suffers from one of the diseases described above.
These tips and home remedies can help:
1. In case of a bladder infection
If your dog has a bladder infection, similar home remedies can help them as we humans do.
For example special bubble teas, dried cranberries or unsweetened cranberry juice. You can also get cranberry capsules for dogs in stores.
Make sure your dog has enough water available and is drinking from it at all times of the day and night.
A hot water bottle can also do him good to relieve the pain. It just can’t be too hot!
2. When in heat
What helps here is understanding your girl’s cycle and the whims of it.
Protect them from pushy male dogs and make sure you don’t go for walks in the busy park during peak walk times.
Cuddle her when she needs cuddles and give her time and quiet when she prefers to withdraw.
If she doesn’t really have an appetite during this time, you can also give her one or the other special treat.
Pampering is on the princess agenda here!
3. Bladder, urinary or kidney stones
If the vet has diagnosed your dog with bladder, urinary or kidney stones, a special diet can help reduce the amount of protein and minerals in the urine.
The stones don’t like that at all and regress by themselves up to a certain stage.
In general, there is a lot that can be done about the diet with this disease, which is why you should definitely talk to your vet about it.
Drinking a lot and going for a walk frequently will also help your dog.
4. If you have a prostate disease
Prostate problems are a serious and extremely painful condition in intact male dogs.
Naturopathy swears by combined preparations made from saw palmetto and stinging nettle. Especially in the early stages of prostate disease, these can have a healing effect.
Please discuss the dose with your veterinarian or let him recommend a preparation.
5. In case of tumour/cancer
Diet and the administration of special herbs and additives can also have a healing effect in the healing of benign or malignant tumors.
A veterinarian, a dog nutritionist or an alternative animal practitioner are the right contacts for you!
How can I prevent?
With a species-appropriate and balanced diet and sufficient mental and physical exercise, you ensure that your dog can lead a healthy and vital life.
Unfortunately, we cannot protect ourselves and our four-legged friends from everything. But what definitely helps is knowing him well and being able to notice small changes.
In addition to annual or semi-annual check-ups, you can also have a blood count done regularly.
Whenever you are unsure or something seems strange to you, listen to your gut feeling and ask a veterinarian for advice. Better too early than too late!
Conclusion
Blood in the urine can be harmless or life-threatening. In any case, it is important that you present your dog directly to a veterinarian!
Since the symptoms of a bladder infection are similar to those of urinary stones or bladder cancer, only a veterinary examination can provide information.
There are many natural supplements you can use to support your dog at home. Home remedies such as the good old hot-water bottle or kidney and bladder teas may also be suitable after a diagnosis from your veterinarian.