AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
No one would blame you for being alarmed at the sight of blood in your dog’s poop. Blood belongs in blood vessels. So, when this red fluid appears anywhere else, you worry about where the blood is coming from and whether it’s a sign of a more serious condition.
Finding blood in dog poop may be a one-time occurrence, or it can happen repeatedly. The blood might be bright red or the color of coffee grounds. Knowing what healthy dog poop looks like can give you clues about your dog’s health and when it’s time to see a veterinarian.
Here’s what to know about blood in dog stool, including the accompanying symptoms, tips on how to assess urgency, causes of bleeding, and treatment options.
Symptoms That Commonly Accompany Bloody Stool
Blood in dog stool is a symptom of a wide range of conditions, though some are more serious than others. Any time you notice blood in your dog’s stool, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian right away. This is especially true if accompanied by vomiting, weakness or lethargy, or decreased appetite.
Other symptoms that may occur in dogs with bloody stool are:
- Diarrhea
- Straining while eliminating
- Dehydration
- Pale gums
- Restlessness
When to Contact a Veterinarian
Finding blood in dog poop is a sign that something is going on with your dog. Since your dog can’t tell you what’s wrong, it’s important to keep an eye on what their stool looks like under normal conditions. That way, you can tell when there’s been a change in color, consistency, volume, or frequency. Plus, you can save yourself and your veterinarian time by knowing how to describe your dog’s bloody stool.
Take Note of the Stool’s Color and Consistency
Is the blood, bright red? If so, this is called hematochezia. This type of bleeding usually occurs in the lower digestive tract, including the colon, anus, or rectum. Hematochezia could be a symptom of gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Although hematochezia looks alarming, it isn’t necessarily a sign of a life-threatening illness. Still, it’s best to consult your veterinarian to rule out other conditions. Aside from color, notice if the stool is formed (looks like a solid substance) or loose like diarrhea. In mild cases of bloody stool, you might see “small streaks of bright red blood in otherwise normal stool, with no change in appetite or energy,” says Dr. Randy Aronson, VMD, CCRT, CVA, holistic integrative veterinarian.
Alternatively, is the blood, black and tar-like? If so, it’s referred to as melena. Serious cases of bloody stool “may involve large amounts of blood, dark tarry stool, jelly-like bloody diarrhea, frequent straining, or pure blood without stool,” he says. The presence of melena indicates a problem in the upper digestive tract, including the stomach and small intestine.
As you can tell by its darker shade and more solid consistency, this blood has been swallowed or digested. However, melena can be trickier to spot. Some dogs tend to have darker stool because of their diet, such as when their food contains organ meats like liver or dark-colored proteins such as beef and venison.
The easiest way to check for melena is wiping the stool with a paper towel, cotton ball, or dog wipe and seeing if it’s dark red or black. You know your dog’s poop. If it looks darker than usual or shows any obvious changes in appearance or odor, contact your veterinarian.
Document Amount, Frequency, and Accompanying Symptoms
Consistent bleeding or large amounts of blood can indicate a more serious problem, requiring prompt veterinary attention. Record when the blood first appeared and any changes in your dog’s diet or environment. In addition, Dr. Aronson recommends collecting a fresh stool sample in a clean container.
“Note any additional symptoms and when they appeared, such as if your dog has vomited, lost their appetite, or shown signs of pain,” he says. “Bring as much information as you can to your vet, as it will help with diagnosis.” He also advises that you contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog is lethargic, vomiting, refusing food or water, has pale gums, or is producing large volumes of bloody diarrhea.
With viral infections, it’s important to help limit the spread of disease. If your dog is unvaccinated, or you suspect they’ve been exposed to parvovirus, for example, call ahead before bringing them to an emergency hospital or veterinary clinic.
Causes of Bloody Stool in Dogs
Dogs experience bloody stool for different reasons, from trauma and viral infections, such as parvovirus, to conditions like acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome. Here are some of the more common causes of bloody stool or diarrhea in dogs:
- Dietary indiscretion (eating items they shouldn’t, like spoiled food or sticks)
- Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Anal sac infections or impactions
- Parasites such as hookworms
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Dysbiosis or microbiome imbalance (a loss of good bacteria and overgrowth of bad bacteria)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Clotting disorders
- Cancer
- Exposure to toxins
Aside from the causes listed above, possible causes of melena include ulcers, foreign bodies, kidney failure, Addison’s disease, liver disease, and reactions to drugs, such as anti-inflammatory medications. If you observe any concerning side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, changes in activity level, or weakness, discontinue the medication and contact your veterinarian right away. Especially worrisome are blood in the urine and difficulty breathing, which require immediate veterinary attention.
Diagnostic Methods Used by Veterinarians
To help identify the cause of bleeding, your veterinarian may perform a series of diagnostic tests, such as a fecal examination or blood work. “I typically perform a physical exam and may run a fecal analysis for parasites or bacteria,” Dr. Aronson says. He explains that blood tests are helpful for assessing blood loss and organ function.
“There are very good IgE blood tests that can identify inflammatory bowel disease, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO), pancreatitis, bowel cancer, vitamin D, B-12, magnesium, and folate levels,” he says. IgE refers to an Immunoglobulin E blood test which measures specific antibodies in the blood. The test shows how the immune system responds to foreign bodies and allergens such as dust and pollen.
The vet may also run an X-ray scan or ultrasound to see if there are any tumors or obstructions, he says. These imaging tests can “show the approximate thickness of stomach, small intestine, or colon walls,” he says. “In some cases, endoscopy or colonoscopy with biopsies may be necessary.” These medical procedures involve placing a tube with a camera to see inside the body and look for issues like tumors or growths.
Increased Risk of Dehydration
“The gastrointestinal tract is a major site of fluid regulation,” Dr. Aronson says. Your dog’s body can’t function at its best when there’s bleeding or inflammation. For example, the body can’t absorb water effectively, which helps with a variety of functions such as regulating body temperature, delivering nutrients, and removing waste products.
Moreover, bloody stools are often accompanied by diarrhea and fluid loss. “This rapid loss of fluids can quickly lead to dehydration,” he adds. Bleeding and inflammation of the intestines can also lead to a loss of electrolytes, minerals that are essential to fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
An imbalance of electrolytes can worsen dehydration. Plus, if your dog is vomiting, this can accelerate fluid depletion. “Dogs, especially puppies and small breeds, can dehydrate quickly, which may result in life-threatening complications,” he says.
Treatment Options for Bloody Dog Stool
Since dehydration is common with bloody stool or diarrhea, your veterinarian will probably give your dog fluid therapy. This involves administering electrolytes intravenously or subcutaneously (under the skin). Depending on the cause of the bleeding, the vet may prescribe antiparasitic medication or antibiotics.
If your dog’s condition is more severe, they may need to be hospitalized, undergo surgery, or cancer treatment, he says. Supportive care is often part of the plan and includes giving your dog probiotics to protect their gut. The vet may also recommend switching their food to a bland diet.
“We incorporate fecal microbiome transfer (or fecal microbiota transplantation) and specific probiotics,” Dr. Aronson says. Fecal microbiome transfer involves transplanting fecal microorganisms from a healthy donor into the intestinal tract of a diseased dog to help restore their gut microbiome. It’s worth noting that this procedure hasn’t been applied widely due to safety concerns and limited understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms. However, scientists are working on increasing the efficacy and safety of this procedure to treat a range of canine gastrointestinal disorders.
Preventing Bloody Dog Poop in the Future
Dr. Aronson recommends regular veterinary checkups for early diagnosis and intervention. In addition, routine vet visits provide an opportunity to stay on top of parasite prevention. You can also consult your vet about changes to your dog’s diet.
As for preventing bloody stool occurrences, his advice is to feed your dog a high-quality food. Be consistent with their diet and avoid giving your dog table scraps. When making dietary adjustments, introduce new foods gradually.
Include foods that contain fiber like psyllium or inulin, he says. You can also add pumpkin or sweet potato, or probiotics such as goat kefir or sauerkraut. Just be careful to avoid products that contain ingredients that are toxic or unsafe for dogs, like onion, garlic, or added salt.
Since stress can cause or worsen bloody stool, it’s important to keep your dog in a calm and stable environment. This includes providing them with enrichment activities and regular exercise. As with many medical conditions, the sooner your dog receives care, the better the outcome.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.