It is not normal to find blood in a dog’s excrement. Blood in dog poop can be indicative of various underlying diseases.
In this article, we will look at why a dog may bleed while pooping and how it can be treated.
Symptoms of Blood in Dog Poop
Why Does a Dog Poop Blood?
> Infections and Digestive Problems
> Infections and Digestive Problems
> Stress
> Eating Something Bad
How Does Blood in Poop Look Like?
> Hematochezia
> Melena
Available Treatments
> Caring at Home
> Treatment of the Digestive Tract
> Treatment for Dehydration
Best Food for Dogs Pooping Blood
How to Care for a Dog Pooping Blood?
When Do You Go to the Vet?
For any dog parent, it can be alarming to see traces of blood in your dog’s poop. It is a real cause for concern and can be a sign of an underlying illness.
Before you panic, take a deep breath and do some research. This will help you figure out the best way to help your dog. Ideally, you should consult a vet as soon as you notice blood in your pet’s poop.
Let’s take a closer look at what causes dogs to bleed while pooping and how to treat it.
According to experts, blood in your dog’s poop is a common symptom which means things that vary from harmless to deadly. This alarming symptom usually coincides with the following:
Medical professionals also add that seeing blood doesn’t mean that there is blood in your dog’s poop. What looks like blood may actually be a piece of candy or crayon that your dog chewed on.
Let us take a look at possible reasons why there can be blood in your dog’s poop.
Why is my dog bleeding when he poops? Here are some of the most common causes that will help to address your question.
Digestion-related problems with your pet may indicate causes such as
In some cases, the dog will release bright red blood with its poo, known as hematochezia.
When your dog has problems with its digestive tract, it will take frequent trips to the bathroom and have a larger volume of stool. The texture and consistency of the stool will range from being soft and formed to completely liquid. At times, the stool might also be covered in mucus while the blood will be all over the excreta.
Digestive problems can also occur when your canine has ingested a non-food item such as a bone, stick, toys, garbage, or other toxic substances. Another possible reason behind gastrointestinal conditions could be
Inflammation and ulcers usually take place in the upper digestive tract of a dog, including its stomach and large intestines. In such cases, the blood that is ejected from the body bears a dark and thick texture. This type of blood is known as melena and is characterized by a dark, sticky, and tar-like consistency.
When a dog releases melena, its poop is more solid. Sometimes, the blood that comes out may also be black. Just like hematochezia, melena also needs to be taken seriously, as it might signal that your canine’s digestive system has been infected with more than just an ulcer or inflammation. It could be a parasitic infection and even cancer.
Stressful situations may cause your dog to remove blood along with excreta. Stress could be brought by:
Sometimes, stress also triggers colitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the large intestines.
Aside from these external and internal factors, your pet’s bloody stool may also be an effect of allergies or viral infections.
Whenever you see your dog bleeding poop, it might also vomit, lose appetite, feel weak, avoid socializing and going out, face problems in breathing, and even bleed while urinating.
As a pet owner, you should check for these symptoms and book an appointment with a vet at once.
Bleeding in a dog’s poop can also occur if your dog has eaten something unfamiliar. It could either be a food item that can cause an upset stomach or accidentally swallowing a hard object, such as a toy.
Puppies are more vulnerable to falling ill to diarrhea, particularly when a new diet is introduced.
If you notice a single streak of blood in your dog’s excreta while the rest of the poop is normal, then it’s not a cause for concern. However, consistent or large amounts of bleeding indicate a serious problem and can be attributed to a wide range of causes.
Blood in a dog’s poop is mainly of two kinds: hematochezia and melena.
Hematochezia refers to bright red blood in the stool, which oozes out of the body due to an infection in the lower digestive tract. Usually, hematochezia takes place due to acute gastrointestinal bleeding.
Melena is a type of blood that has a dark color and resembles tar. A darker stool indicates that the blood has either been digested or swallowed. It is a sign that your dog has an infection in its upper digestive system.
There are a variety of treatments available to treat blood in dog stool while pooping. While some cases might require medical intervention, you can administer treatment at home in other situations.
In mild cases, providing care at home might be sufficient in treating your dog’s condition. You can start by taking into account all the food items that your dog has consumed in the past few days and whether any dietary changes have been made.
If you believe that the introduction of a new food item has resulted in your dog becoming ill, then remove it from your pet’s diet. Replace it with something else. You can also consult with a vet about the best course of action.
If your dog has inflammation or disease of the digestive tract, the vet might prescribe a few medicines such as antibiotics, probiotics, antacids, and various other medications.
The doctor may also recommend you provide your pooch with food that is bland and easily ingestible.
If your canine has been passing stool frequently and in large volumes, chances are that it may be dehydrated. In case your dog appears to be dehydrated, the vet will suggest fluids that you need to provide your pet from time to time.
It’s not enough to give water. Your dog will need a special oral rehydration solution to compensate for the lack of electrolytes in its system.
Intravenous fluid therapy might be administered to those dogs with severe dehydration. Your dog may also need hospitalization and more intensive support.
If your dog has blood in its poop, it is recommended that it be put on a 24-hour fast. This will help their digestive system to recover. However, a fast is not recommended for puppies and dogs that are diabetic.
Some of the best foods that you can feed your dog during illness include:
Ensure that you feed your pet a bland diet that is easily digestible, rich in nutrients, and does not require too much chewing.
Also Read: Why is My Dog Bleeding from Ear? Causes and Treatment
Seeing a dog bleed while pooping can be a scary situation for any pet owner. However, there are various ways by which you can care for your dog while it’s not well:
Prevention is also important. Keep all hard objects away from your pet to prevent it from accidentally swallowing them. Make sure you keep a close eye on your dog’s diet and anything that comes near its mouth.
It is best to call or go to a vet immediately if your dog has been pooping blood and has any of these symptoms:
In serious cases, your dog may vomit while passing bloody stool. Vomiting along with pooping blood can lead to shock, internal organ damage, anemia, and even death. When this happens, head over to your vet or a pet ER immediately.
Depending on the severity of the problem, your vet may recommend the following procedures:
The results of these tests will help your vet figure out the possible causes behind your dog’s bloody poop. A vet will be in a better position to diagnose your pet’s condition. Together, you can discuss possible treatments and what changes need to be made to your dog’s diet, if any.
Poop may or may not be a serious or life-threatening condition. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause, which ranges from infections and eating something bad to stress.
A good rule of thumb is to go to the vet if you are unsure about how to treat your pet or what is bothering it. You should also monitor for other symptoms like vomiting, which signal life-threatening conditions.
Hopefully, this information will alleviate your worry and guide you in caring for your beloved dog.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
