2025 Vet Guide: Why Is My Dog Peeing Blood? Hematuria Causes & Solutions 🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Peeing blood—medically known as hematuria—is alarming and always signals a urinary tract issue worth investigating. Causes can range from minor infections to serious diseases. This guide covers common triggers, red flags, diagnostics, treatment, and how Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz can support recovery. 🙏

🔍 1. Common Causes of Hematuria

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Most frequent cause; dogs may pee normally but with blood. Needs antibiotic treatment.
• Bladder or Kidney Stones/Crystals: Irritation or blockage; struvite stones might dissolve dietarily, but most require surgery.
• Bladder or Kidney Tumors: Hematuria may signal cancer, like transitional cell carcinoma.
• Prostatic Disease (intact males): Infections, benign enlargement, or cancer may cause bleeding.
• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): Often more systemic signs like fever or lethargy.
• Trauma or Toxins: Physical injuries or poisons (e.g., rat bait) can cause bleeding.
• Coagulation Disorders: Clotting issues like thrombocytopenia can present with hematuria.
• Female in Heat: Vaginal bleeding may be mistaken for hematuria during estrus—but is unrelated to urine.

⚠️ 2. Who's At Risk?

While any dog can develop hematuria, higher risk includes: sexually intact male dogs (prostatic disease), seniors (stones/tumors), and breeds predisposed to urinary issues (e.g., Dalmatians, Mini Schnauzers).

🚨 3. When It’s an Emergency

• Straining to urinate with little/no output
• Blood clots in urine, abdominal pain, collapse, fever, vomiting
• Suspected toxin ingestion
• Rapid worsening or systemic illness signs

🩺 4. Diagnostic Steps

• Urinalysis & urine culture to detect bacteria, blood, and crystals
• Bloodwork for kidney function, clotting, and infection
• Imaging (X-ray/ultrasound) to spot stones or tumors
• Prostatic evaluation in intact males (rectal exam, ultrasound)
• Clotting assays if a bleeding disorder is suspected

🛠️ 5. Treatment Options

• UTIs: Antibiotics based on culture results; encourage fluids
• Stones: Diet dissolution (struvite) or surgical removal (oxalate/staghorn)
• Bladder/Kidney Cancer: Surgery, chemo, radiation if appropriate
• Prostate Disease: Antibiotics, neutering, treatment of abscesses
• Toxins or Trauma: Address underlying cause, supportive care, fluids, transfusion if needed
• Clotting Disorders: Treat underlying condition, vitamin K for rodenticide, platelet support

🏡 6. Home Support & Prevention

• Encourage hydration—offer fresh water, wet food, low-sodium broth
• Complete the antibiotic course even if symptoms improve
• Prescription diets to prevent stones
• Prevent toxins—secure rodenticides and chemicals
• Spay/neuter to reduce prostatic and reproductive risks
• Regular vet checkups and urine screening for at-risk dogs

🛠️ 7. Tools for Owners

• Ask A Vet: Fast remote vet support, prescription coordination, care guidance
• Woopf: Medication reminders, hydration tracking, appointment scheduling
• Purrz: Symptom tracking (urine color, frequency, behavior) to detect patterns and assist vet decisions

📚 FAQ

Q: Could it just be blood from her heat cycle?

Yes, for unspayed females—but always confirm with a vet, as hematuria also signals urinary illness.

Q: Will the blood resolve on its own?

Rarely, hematuria often persists without targeted treatment. Exception: mild estrus-related spotting.

Q: How quickly should I address it?

Immediately for straining, clots, systemic signs. Urgency within 24 hrs for visible blood alone.

💬 Owner Insight

> “Our pup had blood in his urine after a UTI; antibiotics cleared it quickly and a special diet keeps him healthy.”

🏁 Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Seeing blood in your dog’s urine is serious—it’s not a symptom you can ignore. With swift diagnostics, targeted treatments, and supportive care, most dogs recover well. And with Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz, you'll stay informed, on top of treatment, and ready to support your pup’s urinary health in 2025 and beyond. 🐾

Download the Ask A Vet app for remote vet consultations, prescription scheduling, and health tracking. 📱🐶

AskAVet.com – Your partner in urinary wellness. 💙