If you're a dog parent, you might find your dog peeing blood at some point. But, while blood in dog urine is a scary sight, it's often treatable. A simple urinary tract infection or a benign prostate problem can be the cause.
Hematuria is a term used to describe when blood appears in a dog's urine. This is often due to inflammation or infection in the urinary system which could include the upper or lower urinary tract. The presence of blood in the urine or hematuria should be evaluated by your veterinarian to identify the cause and provide recommendations to help your dog.
Here are common causes of blood in dog urine, what you should do if it affects your dog and the treatments your veterinarian may recommend.
Upper Urinary Tract Causes
As in humans, a dog's upper urinary tract contains two kidneys. Blood in urine originating in this part of the urinary tract tends to affect the kidneys. Some causes for bleeding in the upper urinary tract include:
Idiopathic renal hematuria: This is blood in the urine that results from the kidney for an unknown reason. It could be due to medicine, an infection or an issue with the immune system. This is generally considered a benign condition with a hereditary element.
Kidney infection: If your dog is peeing blood, one or both of your dog's kidneys could possibly be infected.
- Kidney stones: While uncommon, kidney stones can affect one or both kidneys resulting in the presence of blood in the urine.
- Kidney cancer: While uncommon, kidney cancer can affect dogs and cause blood in dog urine. The cancer can remain in the kidney or spread to other parts of the body.
- Renal telangiectasia: Some dogs, including Welsh corgis, have a genetic predisposition to this spontaneous widening of blood vessels in the kidney, which can lead to blood in their urine.
Tasty Tips
Lower Urinary Tract Causes
The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the outside world and allows urine to exit the body. Causes for bleeding here include the following:
- Bladder infection: A lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is by far the most common cause for a dog peeing blood. It can be caused by skin allergies; the anatomy of the urethra, vulva or prepuce; and hormone-related incontinence in spayed females.
- Bladder stones: These can form for a variety of reasons, including genetics, nutrition and chronic infection.
- Bladder cancer: Bladder cancer in dogs often looks similar to a UTI; it can cause accidents in the house, difficulty urinating and blood in the urine.
- Prostate problems: Benign prostate enlargement and prostate infection are the most common prostate problems in male dogs who haven't been neutered.
Causes for blood in dog urine that can affect both the upper and lower urinary tracts include a ruptured bladder, which can happen if they're hit by a car or attacked by another dog; coagulopathy (a scientific word that essentially means clotting problems); and vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you see your dog peeing blood, contact your vet to make an appointment as soon as possible. As a general rule, any dog peeing blood for the first time should be seen by a vet within 24 hours.
At the visit, the vet will try to diagnose the underlying cause of the blood by analyzing your dog's urine. A urine culture may be recommended to see if bacteria might be causing the issue. They may also conduct a blood test or take an X-ray or an ultrasound.
Treatment depends on the specific cause of the blood. The vet may prescribe antibiotics if the issue is related to bacteria. In cases of benign prostate enlargement and prostate neoplasia, they are likely to recommend neutering. They are also likely to suggest surgery if they find the blood is caused by bladder stones or a variety of other issues.. Vets commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory or pain medicine to ease dogs' discomfort.
Your vet may also recommend a change in food. Nutrition is an important component in managing urinary tract problems in dogs. Wet foods can help achieve more dilute urine, and certain foods can reduce stone formation and optimize urine pH.
Preventing Future Urinary Problems
Taking your dog for regular veterinary checkups is the best way to prevent blood in their urine and other urinary problems. Your vet can tell you if your dog is predisposed to urinary issues. If they are, the vet can routinely test your dog's urine to make sure they're in tip-top health.
Also, while it may be easy to just let your dog in the backyard to do their business alone, monitoring your dog's urinary habits occasionally is a necessary part of being a dog parent. Letting an issue like blood in the urine persist can lead to more serious consequences. You are your dog's first line of defense to their health, so careful monitoring and discussions with your vet are pertinent. With love and attention, you can help keep your dog happy and healthy.
Related products
Performance Adult Dog Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Performance Adult Dog Food with Chicken is formulated to meet the additional energy needs of active, working and hunting dogs.
Light Medium Mature Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Light Mature Adult Medium Dog Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
Helps keep your dog fit and active with our low calorie, great-tasting food.
Precise nutrition for less active mature adult dogs that require a low calorie food to help maintain a healthy weight & lifestyle.
Healthy Mobility Medium Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Healthy Mobility Medium Breed Adult Dog Food with Chicken provides advanced nutrition to support joint health and improve mobility.
Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Large Breed Adult Dog Food with Lamb & Rice is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specifically designed to fuel the energy needs of large breed dogs during the prime of their life.
Related articles
Is Chocolate Bad for My Dog? (& What to Do If They Eat It)
Learn the the dangers of feeding your dog chocolate, which types are most dangerous, and what to do if you discover that they have consumed chocolate.
What to Feed Your Pregnant or Nursing Dog
Learn what you can feed your pregnant or nursing dog to keep her and her new pups healthy.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Dry Skin: Dry Puppy Skin Signs, Causes, and Treatments
Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatments of dry puppy skin and how to provide relief for your dog. For expert skin care advice, visit Hill's Pet MT.
Overweight Dogs: A Recent Epidemic
Learn more about the problem of dog obesity and more importantly, what you can do to help your dog avoid becoming overweight.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.