Dog Blood in Stool

By Dr. Ritu Krishnatreye, BHMS
Dog blood in stool

Seeing blood in your dog’s stool can be a frightening experience.

While occasional bleeding can be non-specific and is probably not a cause for concern, frequent episodes of bleeding during defecation can be serious.

Medically known as melena or hematochezia, the blood in the dog’s stool can be dark colored and tarry, or fresh and bright red in color. 

Let’s look at the various causes of blood in a dog’s stool, and then at ways to remedy the situation. 

5 Causes of Blood in a Dog’s Stool

1. Parasites

Parasites are the most common cause of blood in feces of older dogs. The condition may be associated with other symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy and diarrhea.

Hookworms and roundworms are the two common worms for bloody stools in pets. Your vet will be able to advise you on which de-worming medication your dog needs.

2. Eating habits

Each of the following can also cause bleeding in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

• Overeating
  
  
• An abrupt change in a dog’s diet
  
  
• Eating indigestible objects like bones, sticks and toys

3. Inflammation

Infections may cause an inflammation of the colon, rectum or anus This may lead to erosion and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Your vet should be able to offer a treatment for the infection to get your dog back to normal.

4. Cancer

For older dogs, canine cancers such as colon cancers can cause dogs to pass dark black stools.

Colon cancer is a serious condition and should be managed immediately. In case of any abnormal growth, surgery is advised.

5. Constipation

This is a common reason for a dog to have blood in its stool.

As in humans, when a dog continually strains to defecate, hemorrhoids may develop, which can result in blood appearing in a dog’s stool.

Trying to pass large, dry stool can cause anal fissures, resulting in bloody stools. 

It is important to deal with constipation before it results in other problems.

There are numerous things that may cause a dog to become constipated. Here are the most common.

• Dehydration – your dog isn’t drinking enough water
  
  
• Too little fiber in the diet
  
  
• A physical condition that restricts the passage of stool through the colon

Constipation is a troublesome condition, which if not treated on time can lead to numerous health issues, including the blood in stool effect. Therefore, it is important to resolve the problem when it is first observed.

5 Ways to Overcome Dog Constipation

1. Change his diet

The easiest way to treat dog constipation is by increasing the fiber in your dog’s diet.

• Look for a dog food product that contains good amount of fiber.
  
  
• Include canned or fresh pumpkin, vegetables and fresh meat in their diet.
  
  
• Feed less dry dog food. Feeding a dog a lot of dry food can cause dehydration and constipation. 

2. Get him to drink more

To help your dog stay hydrated, make sure he has fresh water every day. Drinking an appropriate amount of water will help to relieve constipation and promote healthy digestion. 

3. Make sure he gets some exercise

Play with your pet or take him for a walk. Exercise helps in keeping your dog active and it helps to keep his digestive system moving to avoid the frustration of blood appearing in your canine friend's stool.

4. Keep your dog groomed

Proper grooming also prevents ingestion of indigestible substances in your pet. Keep your pet’s hair trimmed and short to avoid hairballs.

For long-haired dogs, it is possible for hair to mat around his anus, which can obstruct defecation. Keep the anal area clipped short.

5. Add a little magnesium to his drinking water

One of the best ways to overcome constipation is with a magnesium supplement. A good one, and very inexpensive is quite a good impact on your dog's health. This is besides all the relief it might provide for constipation.

Just add one drop into drinking water for every 2 pounds of weight. For larger dogs, add 1 ml for every 30 to 40 pounds of weight.

Conclusion, dog blood in stool

There are numerous things that may cause blood in a dog’s stool.

Solve any constipation problem to maintain healthy digestion and to avoid the complications caused by dry, hard stools.

(Return from Dog Blood in Stool to Home Remedy for Dog Constipation)