Dog Pooping Blood? Here’s What To Do ASAP

Sometimes blood in dog poop is obvious, but other times it may not be. It depends on where the blood is coming from.

Bright Red Blood (Hematochezia)

In some cases, you might see bright red blood that looks like streaks or clots mixed with the stool. This is called hematochezia, and typically has a “fresher” look, like it’s more recent—because it is, according to Bethany Hsia, DVM, mobile veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet, in Clovis, California.

Bright red blood usually indicates bleeding in the lower digestive tract, like the colon or rectum.

Black, Tarry Stool (Melena)

Black, tarry stool, also called melena, is a sign of blood that’s already digested. This stool is dark (almost black), sticky, and might resemble coffee grinds.

Melena typically comes from the upper digestive tract, like the stomach or small intestine.

There are many possible causes for blood in your dog’s stool, and the type of blood-hematochezia versus melena can give clues about the causes, but it’s important to check with your veterinarian to rule out anything serious.

Here are some of the most common causes of each type of bloody stool, according to Dr. Hsia and Stacie Atria, DVM, holistic veterinarian and founder of Lotus Veterinary Alternatives in Alachua, Florida.

Hematochezia (Bright Red Blood)

• Colitis (inflammation of the colon): This can be caused by stress, inflammatory bowel disease, and/or food allergies.
• Infections: These can be viral (parvovirus), bacterial (salmonella, clostridium) and/or parasitic (hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, giardia).
• Tumors or polyps: Growths in the lower part of the digestive tract, like the colon or rectum, can get irritated and bleed.
• Trauma: Constipation and straining to poop can irritate the rectum. And when dogs strain to have a bowel movement, there can be blood in the stool.
• Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS): Also known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), AHDS is one of the most serious causes of diarrhea in dogs and is considered a medical emergency.
• Clotting disorders: Clotting disorders, including toxins (rodenticide poisoning) and diseases of the kidneys, liver, and immune system, could cause bloody dog poop.

Melena (Dark, Tarry Stools)

Typically, the causes of melena, or black, tarry stools, are from issues with the upper digestive tract.

If you notice these changes in your dog’s stool, seek prompt treatment. The sooner you address the underlying cause, the better.

Common causes of dark, tarry stools include the following:

• Gastrointestinal ulcers: Ulcers in the small intestine and/or stomach can cause bleeding, and as the blood passes through the digestive tract, it turns black and tarry.
• Medications: Some medications, like steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause blood in the stool as a side effect.
• Severe infections: Systemic infections, like parvovirus, can cause widespread internal bleeding.
• Pancreatitis: In severe cases, pancreatitis can cause bloody stool and vomiting.
• Ingested blood: Sometimes blood that’s digested because of injuries in the mouth or throat can eventually come out in the stool.
• Bleeding disorders: Uncontrolled bleeding, due to health conditions like thrombocytopenia or clotting disorders, may be the underlying cause.
• Acute trauma: Major trauma, like getting hit by a car, can cause bleeding in the GI tract that comes out in your dog’s poop.

Other common causes of dark, tarry stools include intestinal parasites, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver and kidney failure.

When in doubt, don’t wait. If your dog is pooping blood, Dr. Hsia says you should call your vet immediately for guidance.

Seek emergency veterinary care if your dog is vomiting, depressed, and/or passing large amounts of blood—as these can also be symptoms of something more serious. Your dog can also quickly get dehydrated.

Whatever you do, don’t try to treat things at home. It’s important to determine the underlying cause so you can figure out the appropriate next steps.

Treatment depends on the cause, but there are a series of steps most vets will take to uncover that cause.

1. First, your veterinarian will take a history to see if there have been any changes to your dog’s diet, changes to medicines and/or supplements, exposure to toxins, or any dietary indiscretion.
2. Your vet will then recommend diagnostic testing that may include a fecal exam, blood testing, and/or imaging, like X-rays or an ultrasound.
3. Depending on what your vet finds, the next step may be additional tests, like an endoscopy, to look for ulcers, tumors, or other physical obstructions.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, and this might involve:

• Dewormers for intestinal parasites
• A bland diet, probiotics/prebiotics
• Antibiotics
• Antacids
• Medication to help with vomiting

If your dog is dehydrated, fluid therapy, either given under the skin or intravenously, will be recommended. In severe cases, like ingestion of a foreign body or a tumor, surgery may be needed.

You may not be able to completely prevent your dog from pooping blood. But there are a number of things you can do to keep your dog as healthy as possible and reduce the risks.

• Keep up with preventive care. Be proactive with your dog’s health by getting regular checkups and making sure their vaccinations are up-to-date. Additionally, give your dog year-round heartworm medication that also offers protection against intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks. Your vet will recommend the best medication for your pet.
• Minimize exposure to harmful substances. Atria says it’s also important to minimize exposure to harmful substances, like cleaning supplies, rodenticides, and trash. Rodenticide exposure needs to be treated as soon as possible and can be fatal with delayed and/or improper treatment. It’s also worth noting that if your dog gets into something they’re not supposed to, like discarded bones or fruit pits, it can make a blockage more likely.
• Provide the proper nutrition. You’ll also want to make sure you’re feeding your dog a healthy, balanced diet. If you notice your dog seems constipated or is struggling to pass stool, talk to your veterinarian to see if they recommend adding a fiber supplement (like Vetnique Labs® Glandex®), increasing water consumption, or changing to a high-fiber diet (like Hills® Prescription Diet® w/d Multi-Benefit). It’s important to also rule out any underlying causes, like arthritis, that could make it more difficult for your dog to have bowel movements.
• Consider probiotics/prebiotics. Consult your veterinarian about adding probiotics/prebiotics (like Nutramax® Proviable®) to help support your dog’s gut health. Consider exercising your dog more with longer or more frequent walks to help get their digestive tract moving.