Dog Peeing Blood: Essential Tips for Best Care

If you’ve noticed blood in your dog’s urine, your stomach probably just dropped. That’s a normal reaction—seeing blood anywhere from your pet is scary. But here’s the thing: dog peeing blood isn’t always an emergency, though it always needs attention. Sometimes it’s a simple urinary tract infection (UTI). Sometimes it’s something more serious like bladder stones or a tumor. The point is, you need to know what you’re dealing with, and fast.

I’ve been a vet tech for over a decade, and I can tell you that hematuria (the fancy term for blood in urine) is one of those symptoms that sends owners into panic mode—but panic doesn’t help your dog. What helps is understanding what causes it, when to rush to the ER, and what your vet will actually do about it.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common causes of dog peeing blood, what tests your vet will run, treatment options, and honest talk about costs and recovery. Let’s get your dog feeling better.

What Causes Dog Peeing Blood?

Dog peeing blood can stem from a bunch of different problems, and figuring out which one is the job of your vet. But knowing the common culprits helps you communicate better with them and understand what’s happening.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the most common reason dogs pee blood. Think of it like this: bacteria get into the bladder, cause inflammation, and boom—you see blood in the urine. UTIs are especially common in female dogs because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to travel up. According to the American Kennel Club, UTIs affect roughly 14% of dogs at some point.

Bladder Stones (or uroliths) are another major cause. These mineral deposits form in the bladder and literally scratch the bladder wall as your dog moves around. Imagine tiny rocks bouncing around inside—that’s going to cause bleeding. Some breeds are predisposed to stones (Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Pugs), and diet plays a role too.

Kidney Disease can also show up as blood in urine. This is more common in older dogs and is serious because it means the kidneys aren’t filtering properly. The blood loss might be minor, but the underlying issue is significant.

Prostate Problems in male dogs can cause hematuria. The prostate sits right under the bladder, and when it gets infected or enlarged, bleeding can occur. This is something we see more in intact (non-neutered) males.

Tumors in the bladder or urinary tract are less common but definitely possible, especially in older dogs. These can bleed directly into the urine.

Bleeding Disorders or clotting problems can make your dog bleed into the urine as part of a broader bleeding issue. If your dog is on blood thinners or has a clotting disorder, this is worth mentioning to your vet immediately.

Trauma or Injury to the abdomen or pelvis can damage the bladder or urethra. If your dog was hit by a car, fell hard, or had an accident, this could explain the blood.

Medications like certain chemotherapy drugs or blood thinners can cause hematuria as a side effect.

There’s also something called idiopathic hematuria, which basically means “we don’t know why your dog is bleeding into the urine.” It sounds frustrating (and it is), but sometimes dogs bleed a little and then it resolves on its own. Your vet will rule out the serious stuff first.

Is It an Emergency?

Real talk: not every case of dog peeing blood requires a midnight ER visit, but some do. Here’s how to tell the difference.

• Your dog can’t urinate at all (this is a urinary blockage and is life-threatening)
• Your dog is straining hard but only passing a few drops
• There’s massive amounts of blood—like the urine is mostly blood
• Your dog is vomiting, lethargic, or acting seriously ill
• Your dog is in obvious pain when urinating
• Your dog has a fever (over 103°F)
• Your dog is on blood thinners and suddenly bleeding
• Your dog has a history of clotting disorders

• There’s a small amount of blood in the urine but your dog seems otherwise normal
• Your dog is urinating normally but you notice blood occasionally
• Your dog has mild discomfort but is eating and drinking
• This started after an injury but your dog isn’t in distress

The difference is basically: is your dog in immediate danger or acute distress? If yes, ER. If no, but something is clearly wrong, call your regular vet and get an appointment ASAP—usually same day.

Pro Tip: Take a photo of the bloody urine if you can. Sounds gross, but your vet will want to know how much blood we’re talking about. A tiny bit looks different than a lot, and it helps with diagnosis.

How Your Vet Diagnoses It

Your vet isn’t going to guess. They’re going to run tests, and understanding what they’re looking for helps you know why each test matters.

Urinalysis is the first and most important test. Your vet will collect urine (usually a free-catch sample, meaning they catch it mid-stream) and send it to the lab. The lab checks for:

• Red blood cells (confirms there’s actual blood, not just discoloration)
• White blood cells (suggests infection or inflammation)
• Bacteria (indicates infection)
• Crystals (can lead to stones)
• Protein (kidney issues)
• pH levels (affects stone formation)

Urine Culture is the follow-up if infection is suspected. This grows out the bacteria so your vet knows exactly what antibiotic will work best. This takes 3-5 days, but it’s worth the wait because it means no guessing on antibiotics.

Abdominal Ultrasound is the gold standard for seeing what’s actually happening in the bladder. Your vet can spot stones, masses, bladder wall thickening, and other problems. This is non-invasive and gives tons of information. If your vet suspects stones or tumors, they’ll likely recommend this.

Abdominal X-rays can show some bladder stones (the mineral-dense ones), but ultrasound is usually better. X-rays are cheaper and faster, so sometimes vets start here.

Blood Work (CBC and chemistry panel) checks kidney function, looks for signs of infection, and rules out bleeding disorders. If your dog is older or has other health issues, this is important.

Blood Pressure Check might seem random, but high blood pressure can cause bleeding into the urine, especially in older dogs or those with kidney disease.

Your vet might not need all of these tests. A young dog with a UTI? Urinalysis and urine culture might be enough. An older dog with a history of stones? They’re probably going straight to ultrasound. The point is, your vet will tailor the workup based on your dog’s age, history, and symptoms.

Treatment Options Explained

Treatment depends entirely on what’s causing the dog peeing blood. There’s no one-size-fits-all fix, but here are the main approaches.

If it’s a simple UTI, antibiotics are the answer. Your vet will prescribe based on the urine culture results. You’ll give them for 7-14 days, and most dogs feel better within 2-3 days. The key is finishing the full course even if your dog seems better—stopping early can lead to resistant bacteria.

If your dog has stones, diet is huge. There are prescription diets designed to dissolve certain types of stones (especially struvite stones) over weeks to months. Your vet will recommend a specific diet based on the stone type. Some dogs improve with just diet; others need surgery.

If stones are too large to dissolve or if there’s a tumor, surgery is necessary. A cystotomy (bladder surgery) removes the stones or masses. This is more invasive and expensive, but sometimes it’s the only option. Recovery is usually 10-14 days with activity restriction.

This sounds simple, but it works. More water means more dilute urine, which reduces irritation and helps flush out bacteria. Adding water to food, using a fountain (dogs love moving water), or just encouraging drinking helps.

If your dog is uncomfortable, your vet might prescribe pain medication. This isn’t just about comfort—it helps your dog relax and urinate fully, which aids recovery.

Some vets recommend cranberry supplements or probiotics to support urinary health and gut flora. The evidence is mixed, but they’re generally safe and might help, especially for recurrent UTIs. Talk to your vet before starting anything new.

If kidney disease is the culprit, treatment focuses on slowing progression. This might include a kidney-friendly diet, blood pressure medication, and regular monitoring. It’s not a cure, but it can add quality years to your dog’s life.

Safety Warning: Never give your dog over-the-counter antibiotics or pain meds. What works for humans or other dogs might be dangerous for yours. Always wait for your vet’s prescription.

Home Care During Recovery

After diagnosis and initial treatment, your job is to support recovery at home. This is where you actually make the difference.

I know, antibiotics are a pain to give. Hiding pills in peanut butter, crushing them in wet food, or using a pill gun—whatever works. But missing doses or stopping early can sabotage treatment. Set phone reminders if it helps.

Let your dog out more often than usual. Every 2-3 hours is ideal during recovery. More frequent urination means the bladder empties more completely, which reduces irritation and infection risk. If you work long hours, consider a dog walker or doggy daycare temporarily.

Leave water bowls in multiple rooms. Some dogs drink more from moving water, so a fountain might help. The goal is dilute urine, which is less irritating.

If there’s discharge or dried blood, gently wipe with a warm, damp cloth. You can also use dog-safe wound cleaning techniques if your vet recommends it. Keep the area dry to prevent secondary infections.

Keep a mental note (or write it down) of how often your dog pees and what the urine looks like. Is the blood decreasing? Is your dog urinating more normally? This tells you if treatment is working.

If your dog had surgery, follow your vet’s activity restrictions strictly. If it’s just a UTI, light activity is fine, but avoid intense exercise for a few days.

If your dog stops eating, vomits, or the bleeding gets worse despite treatment, call your vet. Sometimes initial treatment isn’t working and a different approach is needed.

Prevention Tips That Actually Work

Once your dog has had a UTI or bladder issues, you want to prevent it happening again. Here’s what actually makes a difference.

Dilute urine is your friend. Encourage drinking by adding water to meals, using fountains, or just refilling bowls frequently. Some vets recommend adding a bit of low-sodium broth to water to make it more appealing.

Don’t make your dog hold it for long periods. A dog holding urine for 8+ hours is at higher risk for UTIs. If you work long hours, hire a dog walker or use doggy daycare a few days a week.

If your dog has a history of stones, ask your vet about prescription urinary health diets. These are formulated to prevent stone formation. Regular dog food doesn’t cut it if your dog is prone to this.

Annual exams (or twice yearly for older dogs) catch UTIs and other issues early. Your vet can also check for early signs of kidney disease or prostate problems.

Female dogs are more prone to UTIs partly due to anatomy, and intact males have higher prostate issues. Spaying or neutering reduces these risks (though it’s not the only factor).

Some parasites can affect urinary health. Keep up with flea, tick, and worm prevention. If you suspect your dog has worms, learn the signs and get treatment promptly.

If your dog has diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or other conditions that increase UTI risk, staying on top of those helps prevent urinary issues too.

Cranberry supplements, D-mannose, or urinary probiotics might help prevent recurrent UTIs. The science isn’t definitive, but they’re generally safe. Always check with your vet first.

What This Will Cost You

Let’s be honest: treating dog peeing blood isn’t cheap. Here’s what you’re likely looking at.

Initial exam: $75-$150. Urinalysis: $50-$100. Urine culture (if needed): $75-$150. So you’re starting at roughly $200-$300 for diagnosis.

A course of antibiotics usually costs $30-$80 depending on the drug and duration. Not terrible, but it adds up if you need multiple rounds.

This is where costs jump. Abdominal ultrasound runs $300-$600 depending on your vet and location. If a specialist does it, you’re looking at $500-$800 or more.

Cheaper option at $150-$300 for abdominal X-rays, but ultrasound is usually better for urinary issues.

Basic bloodwork (CBC and chemistry): $150-$300. More extensive panels cost more.

This is the big one. Cystotomy (bladder surgery) for stone removal or tumor removal: $1,500-$4,000+. This includes anesthesia, surgery, pain management, and monitoring. Emergency surgery costs even more.

If your dog needs special food for stone prevention: $50-$100+ per month depending on the brand and your dog’s size. This is ongoing.

A simple UTI? You might spend $300-$500 total. Bladder stones requiring diet management? $500-$1,500 per year. Surgery? You’re easily at $2,000-$5,000+.

This is why pet insurance matters. If your dog has a history of UTIs or stones, look into plans that cover urinary issues. Some plans cover 70-90% of costs after a deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dog peeing blood always serious?

– Not always, but it always needs attention. A simple UTI is common and treatable. But it could also be stones, kidney disease, or a tumor. The point is, you can’t know without seeing a vet. Even if it turns out to be minor, getting it checked is the right call.

Can I treat a UTI at home without antibiotics?

– No, not really. While increased water and frequent urination help, a bacterial UTI needs antibiotics to clear. Trying to treat it at home risks the infection spreading to the kidneys, which is serious. Get your dog to the vet.

How long does it take for the blood in urine to go away?

– It depends on the cause. With a simple UTI and antibiotics, you might see improvement in 2-3 days and complete resolution in 7-10 days. With bladder stones, if you’re using diet to dissolve them, it can take weeks to months. After surgery, bleeding usually stops within a few days.

Can male and female dogs both get dog peeing blood?

– Yes, both can. But the causes differ slightly. Females are more prone to UTIs due to anatomy. Males are more prone to prostate issues. Both can get stones, kidney disease, or tumors.

Is dog peeing blood contagious to other dogs?

– If it’s a UTI, the bacteria itself isn’t really contagious in the way you’d think, but poor hygiene can spread it. If it’s stones, kidney disease, or a tumor, it’s not contagious at all. Just practice good hygiene and don’t let dogs share water bowls if one has an active UTI.

What should I do if my dog pees blood and then it stops?

– Don’t assume it’s resolved. Even if the bleeding stops, the underlying problem (infection, stones, etc.) is still there. You still need to see a vet. Ignoring it can lead to bigger problems down the road.

Can diet prevent dog peeing blood from happening again?

– For some causes, yes. If your dog is prone to bladder stones, a prescription urinary diet can help prevent them. For UTIs, diet alone doesn’t prevent them, but staying well-hydrated helps. For other causes like tumors or kidney disease, diet won’t prevent them but might help manage them.

How often do dogs get recurrent UTIs?

– Some dogs get one UTI and never again. Others are chronic and get them multiple times a year. Females are more prone to recurrence than males. If your dog is having recurrent UTIs, your vet might recommend preventative measures like supplements, dietary changes, or even long-term low-dose antibiotics.

Can I give my dog over-the-counter pain relief for urinary pain?

– No. Don’t give ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other human pain meds—they can damage your dog’s kidneys. If your dog is in pain, call your vet. They’ll prescribe something safe like tramadol or gabapentin.

What’s the difference between a little blood and a lot of blood in urine?

– A little blood might indicate a mild UTI or early stages of another problem. A lot of blood could suggest severe infection, a large stone, or a tumor. Either way, it needs vet attention, but the amount helps your vet prioritize urgency and testing.