Let’s be honest. There are some things in life we never want to deal with. And for dog owners, seeing blood in your pet’s pee is definitely one of them. 

In the worst-case scenario, it could mean something serious - but don’t panic just yet. It’s good to know that this isn’t always life-threatening.

There are actually a bunch of reasons for why your dog is peeing blood and might be straining when doing so. So, let’s break it down, figure out what’s going on, and most importantly, talk about what you can do to help.

How old is your pooch? Dogs can have blood in their pee at any age, but how old they are can help point to the cause. For example, in younger dogs, it’s often linked to familial hematuria, which is a hereditary condition. On the other hand, if your older dog is showing this symptom, the most common culprit is cancer.

Gender also matters here. Female dogs are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), and those can sometimes lead to blood in their urine.

The medical term for blood in the urine is hematuria, and it can signal a range of underlying causes – some mild, and others more serious. These might include UTIs (often in females), hereditary issues (younger dogs), or cancer (older dogs).


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The most obvious sign is the blood itself, which might change your dog’s pee to shades like amber, red, orange, or even brown and bright red. Your dog might also start peeing more often than usual or show signs of discomfort, like tummy pain. In some cases, you might even see bruising under their skin caused by tiny blood vessel leaks.

However, sometimes blood in the urine isn’t obvious, especially if there isn’t much of it. You might not even notice a difference in the color of their pee unless it’s tested during a routine check-up or while you’re actually looking into another health issue.

Oh, one other thing – if your dog has eaten beet recently this can affect the color of their pee. If they aren’t showing any of the other tell-tale signs, it’s worth thinking back to what they’ve been eating before you hit the panic button – it might save you a lot of stress!

Age aside, there are plenty of other reasons why your dog might have blood in their urine. Here are some common causes:

Sometimes blood shows up because of an infection – whether it’s in your dog’s bladder, kidneys, prostate, or urethra. These areas can become vulnerable to bacteria, especially if your dog’s immune defenses are weakened. Older pooches and those with conditions like diabetes are more at risk, so keep an eye out for signs of trouble.

Both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors are pretty common in dogs. While most don’t cause issues unless they’re in sensitive areas, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you notice any growths on your dog get your vet to check them out quickly to rule out anything serious.

Kidney or bladder stones could also be the culprit. These form when minerals in your dog’s pee clump together into tiny crystals, and if they get large enough they form a stone, which can cause a lot of discomfort. A major warning sign is if your pup seems to be in pain when peeing – don’t wait, call the vet!

If you’re dog’s peeing blood and straining, it might be a sign that they’ve ingested something toxic. Rat poison is a common example, but poisoning can also come with other symptoms like lethargy, coughing, breathing troubles, or an unwillingness to exercise. If you suspect poisoning, get help right away.

Urinary tract infections happen when bad bacteria get into your dog’s urinary tract. Blood in their urine is often a key symptom, alongside difficulty peeing, losing bladder control, and being in pain while peeing. You might also notice a stronger-than-normal smell or your dog obsessively licking around their urinary opening.

Dogs are often getting into trouble (which is a reason why many of us love them so much!) so if they’ve recently experienced physical trauma, it could explain why your dog’s peeing dark red blood, for example. Report any injuries to the vet – they’ll want to evaluate what’s going on internally.

Male dogs can suffer from prostatic diseases, with seven possible types that could lead to blood in their urine. These include:

As well as blood in their urine, you might notice symptoms like trouble peeing, a weak urine stream, or even difficulty pooping.

Female dogs bleed when they’re in heat, and while the blood isn’t technically in their urine, it can look that way, since it comes from the same area. This is a natural part of their cycle but can sometimes confuse dog owners.

If your dog is showing symptoms of peeing blood, don’t delay – it’s crucial to get them to the vet quickly, especially since some of the underlying causes can be very serious. Here’s how the vet might go about pinpointing the issue:

Be ready to give a full rundown of any symptoms your dog has had. If they’ve recently been injured or eaten something they shouldn’t have done, let your vet know – it’s all useful information.

The vet will examine your dog closely to look for signs of swelling, tenderness, or growths. They’ll likely run a complete blood count too, which can reveal any odd levels of red or white blood cells, platelets, and other key markers like calcium or phosphorus.

Your dog’s pee will be tested for pH levels, minerals, blood cells, hemoglobin, protein, and glucose. If there’s a high concentration of minerals, it could mean crystals or stones, and the vet might examine those under a microscope.

Male dogs may need an ejaculate sample to check for prostate-related issues. For female dogs, the vet might perform a vaginoscopy or cystoscopy to assess their genital health.

If the vet suspects a tumor, they might order an ultrasound or X-ray. Sometimes a biopsy is needed to confirm whether the tumor is benign or malignant.

How your vet treats your dog will really depend on the diagnosis. Their first priority will be stabilizing your pup, and from there, they’ll tackle the root cause of the problem.

Stabilizing in this case might involve giving intravenous fluids to rehydrate your dog or even a blood transfusion if their red blood cell count is dangerously low.

If your dog has an infection — like in their bladder, kidneys, or urinary tract — the vet will probably prescribe antibiotics. The specific type will depend on where the infection is and whether your dog has any history that might influence the treatment plan.

Bladder or kidney stones? These can sometimes be managed with a special diet low in protein, phosphorus, and magnesium, which helps promote acidic urine. The vet might also recommend increasing your dog’s water intake, but in more severe cases, they may need to remove the stones either surgically or through less invasive methods.

Treatment for tumors depends on their location and the vet’s diagnosis. They might even refer you to an oncologist for specialized care.

If poisoning is the culprit, the treatment will depend on what your dog ingested. For example, if it’s rat poison and they’re experiencing vitamin D poisoning, they’ll need to stay on an IV drip until their electrolyte, calcium, and phosphorus levels are back to normal.

The vet might also give them a phosphate binder, like aluminum hydroxide, to help remove the excess phosphorus more quickly.

If trauma caused the blood in your dog’s urine, the treatment will depend on where the damage is on their body and how severe it is.

Prostate problems can come from different causes, so treatment varies:

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No matter what’s caused the blood in your dog’s urine, the most important thing you can do is follow your vet’s advice when it comes to care and monitoring. If the issue turns out to be related to diet, the vet will recommend a proper food plan. Always check with them before adding any nutritional or vitamin supplements.

And here’s one thing you can always do – make sure your pup has plenty of fresh, clean water. Keeping them well-hydrated is a small but critical way to help support their recovery.