Dog Pooping Blood: Causes and What to Do

For pet parents, few things are more alarming than noticing blood in your dog’s stool. Whether it’s a little or a lot, a dog pooping blood is enough to send most dog moms and dads into a panic. In my eight years as a veterinarian, bloody diarrhea in dogs is one of the top reasons parents bring their pets to see me.

The problem with this particular red flag is that there are a lot of possible causes of blood in dog poop. Some may be minor and fairly harmless, while others could be serious and even fatal. This can leave many pet parents unsure of what to do next when they spy dog blood in stool.

To help you ensure your furry friend’s well-being, here’s what you need to know about the causes of bloody dog poop, what to do, and when to worry.

Dog Pooping Blood: What it Means

It’s quite common for dogs to poop blood, especially if they are prone to bouts of diarrhea. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean you should ever ignore or dismiss it.

Blood in canine feces could be caused by something as simple as an upset stomach or straining too hard while pooping. I’ve seen plenty of pets with blood in dog stool but acting normal. Or it could be a warning sign of a more severe condition, like an infection or internal bleeding.

While what’s causing your dog to poop blood isn’t always serious, it is a sign you should always take seriously. That starts with paying close attention to the quantity, color, and consistency of blood in your dog’s poop. Here’s what to look for.

What Does Blood in Dog Poop Look Like?

You might think it’s obvious what blood in dog poop looks like, but its appearance can vary greatly.

I’ve seen a wide range of blood colors, consistencies, and quantities in the dog poop I’ve examined in my career. Sometimes the blood is obvious, sometimes it’s harder to detect.

Here’s a small sampling of what to watch for:

• A bright red smear on an otherwise fairly normal poop
• A bright red smear or dots on a poop containing a foreign object such as tinfoil
• Bloody mucus (jelly) alongside or on diarrhea
• Dog diarrhea with blood in it
• Part of the feces stained a blood-red color
• Black, tarry feces
• Liquid stool that appears more red than brown  

Examining a bloody bowl movement in dogs may not sound that appealing, but it is important. Your dog’s bloody stool could contain valuable clues about where the blood is coming from and what’s causing the issue.

For instance, bright red blood in dog poop is called “hematochezia.” It usually indicates a problem in the lower part of a dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Darker, tarry, black stools in dogs often indicate digested or swallowed blood, called “melena.” This can be a sign of upper intestinal bleeding, which is much more concerning.

If your dog’s poop is like jelly with blood, this suggests that your dog is suffering from colitis, or inflammation of the colon. This can be caused by several things, including stress, diet, infections, and more.

Why is My Dog Pooping Blood?

There are many reasons dogs might start pooping blood. To help you get your dog the care they need, I’ve outlined different causes and what to look out for below.

I’ve included descriptions of what types of bloody dog poop are linked with each. Though that can vary from dog to dog, so always check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s bloody poop.

Dietary indiscretion or intolerance

Dogs can be curious (and hungry) creatures. Sometimes that tempts them to eat things they shouldn’t, like table scraps, spoiled or toxic food, and even trash. Other dogs never stray from their food bowl, but may be allergic to something in their food. In both cases — whether because of dietary indiscretion or intolerance — dogs can experience gastrointestinal upset, inflammation, and diarrhea. If this persists, it can cause bloody diarrhea or loose, bloody stools in dogs. This can appear watery and may or may not contain mucus. 

Parasites

Some intestinal parasites, including hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, giardia, and cryptosporidium, can cause significant irritation and inflammation in your dog’s digestive tract. This can lead to bloody diarrhea or mucous in dog poop containing streaks of red blood. 

Such parasites are more likely in shelter dogs, farm dogs, and young puppies and can be hard to treat.

Pancreatitis

Bloody stools are a symptom of pancreatitis in dogs, too. Causes of pancreatitis include dietary indiscretion and eating foods that are high in fat. Some breeds are also prone to developing pancreatitis, including Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Poodles.

This type of diarrhea is often severe and goes along with vomiting and loss of appetite in most dogs.

Infectious causes (including parvovirus)

Some viral and bacterial infections can cause dogs to poop blood. The most famous, and most severe, is parvovirus. In unvaccinated puppies, parvovirus is often fatal, which is why you should always take blood in puppy stool very seriously!

Other bacterial and viral infections that can cause bloody poop and diarrhea in dogs include salmonella (more likely in dogs on a raw diet), E. coli, campylobacteriosis, and canine distemper.

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)

Like pancreatitis, I’ve listed this one on its own even though it can have several causes. Also known as Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome, HGE can cause severe, bloody, watery diarrhea. It can quickly lead to dehydration and even severe blood loss, so it’s one of the more serious causes of bloody stools.

Foreign bodies

Foreign objects – such as swallowed bones, sticks, or gravel – can also cause bleeding as they work their way through your dog’s intestinal tract.

The severity of the issue depends on a few things: where the objects are in the intestines, how much damage they are doing, and whether your dog can pass them.

For example, say your dog raids the trash and eats a small ball of tin foil. That might scrape the rectum as it passes out, causing a small amount of fresh blood that’s not a major concern.

On the other hand, if your dog swallows something pointy, like a stick or broken bone, these could perforate their intestines. That could cause blood in tools so dark it looks black and could result in life-threatening peritonitis. 

Clotting problems (including rat bait toxicity)

Dogs whose blood does not clot properly can experience very serious cases of bloody dog poop. Coagulation disorders can be genetic, due to liver disease, or even caused by a dog eating rat poison (rat bait toxicity). I’ve also seen a dog with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC) have almost pure blood coming from their back end. In most cases, the dog is otherwise ill – you might see your dog throwing up blood too. This is very serious and will require specialized treatment at the vet.

What to Do About Blood in Dog Poop

The first thing you should do if you spot blood in dog poop is to look closely at it. That sounds pretty gross, but taking note of the amount of blood and the color can help your vet figure out what’s wrong. A photo or a sample may also be helpful!

You should also keep track of when you first noticed the blood, as well as any other symptoms that your dog is showing.

For example: Is your dog pooping blood but acting normal? Does your dog seem lethargic? Are they vomiting? How often and how much? Are they eating and drinking regularly? Have they lost weight?

If you’re seeing just a bit of blood in your dog’s poop and your dog is over 6 months old, fully vaccinated, and otherwise in good health, you probably don’t need to rush your pet to the vet. Some cases of bloody dog poop may resolve on their own within 24 hours.

Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water (especially in cases of bloody diarrhea). You can try withholding food for 12 hours to see if that makes a difference. Once your dog is ready to eat again, consider a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and white rice.

Blood in Dog’s Stool: When to Seek Help

If your dog’s bloody stool continues longer than one day or is accompanied by any other signs of illness, then it’s time to contact your veterinarian. They can help determine whether you need a visit or whether to continue monitoring at home.

In certain situations, it’s important to visit your vet as soon as you notice blood in your dog’s stool. These include:

• if your puppy pooping blood is younger than a year old
• if your dog isn’t fully vaccinated against parvovirus and distemper
• if your dog is 10 or older
• if your dog has a diagnosed health condition
• if your dog may have eaten something they shouldn’t have
• if your dog has so much bloody diarrhea they risk becoming dehydrated
• if you think your dog is passing more than a tablespoon of blood. 

Whether your dog requires emergency care or not depends on a few factors. Your vet can tell you whether you need to bring your dog to the office or to the nearest emergency clinic right away.

When you arrive, your clinician will do a physical exam, looking for signs of clotting disorders, liver problems, and dehydration. They may also suggest a blood test, which can help to rule out parvovirus and pancreatitis and check for anemia.

If the stool is black, your vet is likely to suggest further diagnostic tests and imaging. Radiographs (X-rays) and ultrasounds can help spot intestinal perforations and blockages. Your vet may also collect a fecal sample for analysis.

If your dog is showing signs of extreme illness or your vet is worried they’ll go downhill quickly, they may suggest hospitalization for medications and fluids.

Treatment for Blood in Dog Stool

The treatment for blood in your dog’s stool depends on the underlying cause. That’s why it’s so essential to get your pet to the veterinarian for the proper diagnosis.

Depending on what your vet determines, here’s what you can expect in terms of treatment:

If dogs have to stay in the hospital, the treatment for blood in dog stool includes anti-diarrhea medicines, antibiotics, gut-protecting medicines, and fluids. 

If dogs are well enough to go home, they may receive oral antibiotics and anti-diarrhea medicines to help them recover.

Other treatments might be needed too, depending on your dog’s diagnosis. I’ve listed some possibilities below:

• Parasites: Anti-parasitics, often for an extended period
• Pancreatitis: Pain relief and dietary adjustments
• Infectious causes: Antibiotics, and for parvovirus the monoclonal antibody (CPMA)
• Foreign objects: Surgery 
• Clotting problems: Blood transfusions, immune-modulating therapies, or vitamin K, depending on the exact clotting problem noted

Your vet will talk you through potential therapies for bloody stools depending on your dog’s condition. 

How to Prevent Bloody Stool in Dogs

While not all causes of bloody dog poop can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of digestive issues in your dog.

• Get your dog vaccinated and dewormed. Parvovirus is extremely common and often fatal. Early and complete vaccination is one of the most powerful things you can do to prevent bloody poop in dogs. Routine deworming and parasite prevention are also key to keeping your dog’s gastrointestinal system healthy.
• Prevent dogs from eating what they shouldn’t. Keep your dog away from spoiled food, garbage, and harmful objects that could cause irritation or injury to their digestive tract. This could involve training your dog to heed a strong “leave it” command or even muzzling them if they are a repeat offender. 
• Maintain a consistent, healthy diet. Avoid switching dog foods suddenly or frequently, which can contribute to gastrointestinal upset. In dogs prone to pancreatitis, a low-fat diet can help prevent flare-ups. 
• Schedule routine vet visits. Regular check-ups can help catch potential issues early before they become severe.
• Keep harmful substances off limits. Restrict access to toxic substances like rat poison, antifreeze, and plants that are dangerous to dogs.

If you can’t prevent bloody poop in dogs, the best thing you can do is learn how to treat it properly. Seeing blood in your dog’s stool can be frightening. But if you know what to look for and how to respond, you can act quickly to make sure your pet stays healthy.

Always remember: It’s important to take your dog to the vet if you’re worried about them, even if you suspect their bloody stool isn’t too serious. We’d rather see a healthy dog than miss a sick one!