By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Blood in a dog's urine (haematuria) can look like pink-tinged urine, a red stream, or small clots at the end of a wee. It is always worth taking seriously, but the urgency depends on what comes with it. A dog that is straining and producing nothing is an emergency, as is a dog with red urine plus bruising or pale gums. A dog that is peeing more often with a little blood but otherwise well usually needs a same-day or next-day visit. Common causes include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and prostate problems in entire males. Less common but serious causes include bladder tumours and rat bait poisoning.
Key takeaways
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine is an emergency, particularly in male dogs.
- Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and prostate disease are common causes.
- Red urine with bruising, bleeding gums, weakness, or pale gums suggests a bleeding disorder or rat bait.
- Dark red or brown urine without blood clots can come from broken-down red blood cells or muscle damage rather than bleeding.
- A fresh urine sample is one of the most useful things you can bring to your vet.
Common causes
- Urinary tract infection. Frequent small wees, accidents, and straining. More common in female dogs. See UTIs in dogs.
- Bladder stones. Stones irritate the bladder wall and can block the urethra in males. See bladder stones in dogs.
- Prostate disease. Enlargement, infection, or cysts in undesexed males. Blood may drip from the penis between wees.
- Bladder tumours. Most often in older dogs. Scottish Terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Beagles, and West Highland White Terriers are overrepresented.
- Trauma. Being hit by a car, a fall, or a kick.
- Bleeding disorders. Including anticoagulant rat bait poisoning and low platelet counts.
- Infections. Such as leptospirosis, which has caused outbreaks in parts of Australia.
- Kidney problems. Including stones and, rarely, bleeding from the kidney itself.
- Reproductive sources. In entire females, blood from a heat cycle can mix with urine. Bloody vulval discharge in a female dog that is unwell after a recent heat can signal pyometra, an emergency.
Signs to note
- When the blood appears: at the start, the end, or throughout the wee
- Straining, frequent attempts, or small amounts of urine
- Accidents in the house
- Licking the genitals
- Increased thirst
- Lethargy, vomiting, or reduced appetite
- Bruising, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums
When to see a vet
Go to an emergency vet now if your dog:
- Is straining to urinate and producing little or no urine
- Has pale gums, bruising, nosebleeds, or is weak or collapsed
- May have eaten rat or mouse bait, even if it seems well
- Has been injured, for example hit by a car
- Is vomiting, very flat, or has a painful belly
- Is an entire female that is unwell, drinking more, or has discharge after a recent heat
Book a same-day or next-day appointment if: your dog has blood in the urine with frequent urination or accidents but is bright, eating, and passing a normal stream.
Book a routine appointment soon if: you noticed a single pink tinge and your dog is completely normal. Collect a sample if you can.
How vets diagnose the cause
- Examination, including the belly, bladder, prostate, and genitals
- Urinalysis to look for blood, crystals, bacteria, and abnormal cells
- Urine culture to confirm infection and choose an effective antibiotic
- Blood tests to check kidney function, platelets, and clotting
- X-rays and ultrasound to look for stones, tumours, and prostate changes
How vets typically treat it
Treatment depends on the cause. Infections are treated with antibiotics chosen from culture results where possible. Some bladder stones can be dissolved with a prescription diet, while others need removal. Prostate disease in entire males often improves with desexing and medical treatment. Rat bait poisoning is treated with a specific antidote and sometimes transfusions. Bladder tumours may be managed with medication, surgery, or other cancer treatments. Your vet will guide the plan for your dog.
Collecting a urine sample
- Use a clean container, such as a takeaway lid, flat tray, or ladle.
- Catch midstream if possible, in the morning.
- Bring it to the vet within an hour, or refrigerate it and bring it the same day.
- Your vet may prefer to collect a sterile sample from the bladder with a needle, which is quick and well tolerated.
FAQ
Can blood in urine go away on its own?
It may seem to settle, but the underlying cause often remains. A check is still recommended.
Can I give cranberry products?
Evidence in dogs is limited. Ask your vet before giving supplements, and do not delay testing.
Is it serious if my female dog has blood in the urine?
It can be a UTI, but also a heat cycle or other problems. If she is unwell, see a vet promptly.
Why does my vet want a culture?
A culture confirms infection and identifies which antibiotic will work, helping avoid resistance and repeat infections.
Talk with a vet
If you have noticed blood in your dog's urine and want help deciding how urgent it is, our vets can help by video. A photo of the urine and a description of the stream is helpful. Book a consult at dialavet.com. Straining with no urine, rat bait exposure, or pale gums need an emergency vet straight away.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Urinary tract disorders in dogs.
- International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). Guidelines for urinary tract infections.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Rodenticides.
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Pet owner urology resources.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If your dog is straining with no urine or may have eaten rat bait, contact a veterinary hospital immediately.
