Harmless or an emergency? When your dog passes stool with blood, the color reveals a lot about the origin of the bleeding. Learn here when bloody diarrhea in your dog is likely harmless and when you should definitely consult a veterinarian.

Discovering blood in your four-legged companion’s stool can be alarming at first. It might be just a few drops, streaks, or the discoloration affecting the entire stool.

The color tells you where the bleeding occurred.

Is it bright red, dark, or black?

What to Do When the Dog Has Diarrhea with Blood?

Anything causing diarrhea can lead to bloody additions. Therefore, “bloody diarrhea in dogs” is not a disease but a symptom. It’s best to take your beloved pet to the vet as soon as possible. There could be a serious illness behind their bloody excretions. Only with a thorough examination can you be on the safe side.

It’s advisable to document your observations in writing. Photos and videos also aid the vet in their diagnosis. Bring a stool sample to your vet appointment.

We’ve compiled a list of 12 common additional symptoms in dogs with bloody diarrhea.

What applies to your furry friend?

7 Reasons for Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs

1. Swallowed Foreign Objects:

It’s possible that your furball has ingested a foreign object at home or during a walk. This could be a toy, packaging material, or a piece of wood, for example. After swallowing, this object, along with the food, enters your pet’s colon. If it’s something sharp, this foreign object can injure the intestinal lining.

This can lead to bleeding in your pet’s intestines. When expelled, the rectum may be injured, causing bloody stool.

Feeding:

Some dog owners practice BARFing for their beloved pets. (The abbreviation BARF stands for “biologically appropriate raw feeding.”) For instance, if you give bones to your dog, bone fragments could injure the intestinal wall.

Or perhaps you’ve recently switched your pet’s food to a different feeding method or type of dog food? A changed diet can trigger digestive problems, as well as food intolerances or allergies in dogs.

Lactose intolerance in dogs is also a possible cause of diarrhea. Some furry friends may not tolerate certain protein sources, additives, and supplements in commercial dog food.

Perhaps the meat source is not of high quality, or the composition of the food is not species-appropriate. Often, dog food contains too many carbohydrates or sugars.

As an omnivore, your four-legged companion – a descendant of wolves – primarily needs meat. With a high-quality, species-appropriate diet, you contribute significantly to their well-being and health.

If you add up the ingredients listed on the can or bag of food, it should add up to 100%. Ideally, all ingredients should be of food grade, meaning suitable for human consumption.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD stands for “Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” It is likely an autoimmune disease where the dog’s intestinal lining becomes inflamed.

If your furry friend is affected, it may experience vomiting and diarrhea. Your companion may also appear generally lethargic and exhausted.

Changes in behavior can also occur. Although the disease is considered incurable, it can be well managed. With a modified diet, you can significantly improve the well-being of your four-legged companion.

Infectious Diseases such as Parvovirus (Parvo) or Leishmaniasis

A viral infection can also be the cause of bloody diarrhea in dogs: Parvovirus infection, also known as Canine Parvovirus (CPV). This disease is harmless to humans but can be life-threatening for your pet.

Puppies and young animals are particularly prone to this severe gastrointestinal infection. Following the infection, there can be bleeding in the intestinal area. If this happens, your pet may pass dark blood.

Have you recently been on vacation with your dog? Leishmaniasis in dogs can lead to vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and gradual weight loss. The transmission of parasites occurs through the bite of sandflies.

Rectal Polyps and Tumors

Polyps are benign intestinal tumors. However, malignant (cancerous) growths can also occur in the intestinal area of dogs. Both can cause slimy excretions and smear bleeding. If your dog alternates between constipation and bloody diarrhea, this possibility should be considered. A colonoscopy (endoscopy) can provide clarity.

Medications

Is your dog currently undergoing veterinary treatment? Is he taking (new) medications? Look at the package insert. It could be a side effect. Sometimes, the intake of cortisone or antibiotics can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. This might be the cause of your four-legged companion’s symptoms.

Worms and Giardia

In the case of a worm infestation, your dog’s body may not be receiving all the necessary nutrients. Regular deworming helps prevent infestations with these parasites. If you are unsure whether deworming is necessary, have your pet’s stool examined by the veterinarian.

Giardia is also a type of intestinal parasite. If you wish, you can perform a rapid test yourself. Alternatively, you can leave this task to a veterinarian: It is best to collect three stool samples to ensure reliable results.

Diagnosis in Dogs with Bloody Diarrhea

The veterinarian will likely first inquire about your observations. How is your furry friend doing? What symptoms does he exhibit? Therefore, precise documentation is very helpful. This conversation is followed by a physical examination. The veterinarian may palpate the anus and rectum, checking for visible injuries or growths. Anal gland inflammation can also leave blood traces in a dog’s stool.

Through a blood test, the veterinarian can determine the overall health of your four-legged companion. If there is suspicion of leishmaniasis, they will likely conduct a corresponding antibody test (ELISA, IFAT).

Ultrasound, X-rays, and colonoscopy could also be used for diagnosis. During an ultrasound, the veterinarian can assess the condition of the organs. Are there any changes or tumors possibly visible?

X-rays reveal whether there is constipation. During a colonoscopy, the veterinarian can, if necessary, take a tissue sample for further examination.

If you bring a stool sample, it can be examined for Giardia, worms, bacteria, and fungi.

Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs: What Treatment Options are Available?

The treatment depends on the cause of the blood in the stool. Therefore, careful diagnostics are necessary. Only when the veterinarian has obtained a comprehensive picture of your pet’s health can they make treatment suggestions.

The measures can be relatively simple. For a worm infestation, an appropriate worming remedy is usually sufficient.

If there is a Giardia infestation, the therapy consists of three components:

If your dog has an injury from a foreign body, surgery may be necessary. However, a dietary change may be sufficient to manage your pet’s digestive problems. In this case, we recommend switching to Anifit’s wet dog food. We are convinced by its high meat content of 90 to 99 percent, and we also appreciate that only high-quality raw materials are used in its production.

The declaration is fully detailed, so you know exactly what ends up in your pet’s bowl.

In the case of digestive problems, it is advisable to additionally perform intestinal rehabilitation. For this, a combination preparation of probiotics (good intestinal bacteria) and prebiotics (a food source for desirable bacteria) is suitable. With Anifit Powerdarm, you help your pet’s intestinal flora regenerate. You can easily add this dietary supplement to their food.

Conclusion

If your dog has bloody diarrhea, there could be many different causes. Please do not take this discovery lightly. While it might be a harmless cause, quick, targeted action may also be necessary. Your veterinarian will assist you in taking the right steps.

Regardless, you support your pet’s health with high-quality, species-appropriate nutrition. The motto “You are what you eat” applies to your four-legged companion as much as it does to us humans.