Seeing blood in your dog’s stool will probably make you assume the worse. However, that is not always the case. If your dog is pooping blood but otherwise seems healthy, you may be wondering what’s going on.
Why Is My Dog Pooping Blood But Acting Fine?
If your dog is pooping blood but acting fine, it is due to inflammation in the lower GI tract. This is often a symptom of ongoing issues such as diarrhea, dietary intolerances, food sensitivities, or infections. The blood is often bright in color and there is just a small bit on the surface of the stool.
The lower GI tract in dogs can become inflamed for many reasons, such as dietary intolerances, food sensitivities, or infections. The most common symptom of an inflamed GI tract is vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Treatment options can vary depending on what the underlying cause is. However, the best way to start dealing with bloody stool in dogs is to feed them a bland diet. A bland diet for dogs is a type of diet that consists of simple, easy-to-digest foods.
Bland diets are usually recommended by veterinarians when a dog’s digestive system is inflamed or irritated and they need to rest the digestive tract. This type of diet typically includes boiled white rice with boiled lean meat such as chicken.
If at any time your dog is pooping blood and starts not to feel fine, it is time to visit the veterinarian. Dealing with inflammation of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to infection in a dog can come with its challenges.
To properly care for your canine companion and help them become healthy, it is important to first understand what type of infection they have been exposed to and how their body is responding. Your vet will be able to provide a thorough examination and the right treatment plan that includes appropriate medications, diet planning, and lifestyle changes.
Can a Dog Poop Blood And Be OK?
Yes. It is possible for a dog to poop blood and be OK because the bloody stool could be caused by stress(moving to a new home) or dietary issues stemming from a sudden change of food. This type of bloody stool presents itself as small bits on the surface of the stool (not mixed in) and goes away as soon as you adjust their diet (switch to bland).
It is concerning to see your pup suffering the symptom of pooping blood. Fortunately, it is possible for a dog to poop blood and still remain healthy in certain cases. Conditions such as stress, or dietary issues stemming from a sudden change of food can both cause blood in the stool.
This usually happens when the lower GI tract gets inflamed. While it isn’t detrimental, it is a symptom of ongoing issues that have to be addressed. A dog that poops blood but seems to be ok should be switched to a bland diet. Monitor their situation closely if it’s not improving or in case things go wrong.
If this persists when the upset has been dealt with, however, then it’s important to take the dog to visit their vet. An experienced professional can help to diagnose the cause and offer suitable treatments if necessary.
Will The Blood In Dog Stool Go Away On Its Own?
In most cases, blood in dog stool will not go away on its own. It requires human interference which can vary from something simple as changing their diet to something more advanced as testing and treating for parasites and bacteria (most common ones: Giardia, Isospora, and Campylobacter jejuni).
If your dog has blood only on the surface of the stool, it can be treated by simply changing their diet, or providing a stress-free environment. Again, this is only if the blood is on the surface of the stool and not mixed in. Implementing these changes should fix the bloody stool in a few days.
However, if the cause of blood in your dog’s stool is something more serious, a veterinarian must be included. A bacteria called Giardia causes gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated water or environments. This bacteria is known to attack senior dogs more.
Isospora is a type of parasite that affects dogs, particularly puppies and younger dogs. This parasite is found in contaminated food or water and expels its spores through the animal’s feces or vomit which can contaminate the surface or area where the animal lives. Once ingested, Isospora can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss in infected dogs.
If the blood in a dog stool is caused by Giardia, Isospora, or Campylobacter jejuni, the blood will not go away on its own. The treatment against these bacteria includes antibiotics to prevent further spreading and to heal the host.
What Does Bright Red Blood In a Dog’s Stool Mean?
Bright red blood in a dog’s stool can mean gastrointestinal problems in a form of a foreign object in the digestive tract, parasites, infections in the intestines, and even cancerous growths. The way the dog handles the situation will tell you the severity of the situation.
If the bright red blood in a dog’s stool is caused by a foreign object such as a sharp bone chip or fish bones entering the digestive system, contact the veterinarian to be safe. They can puncture an intestine and cause bloody stool in dogs. This will be accompanied by stomach pain and discomfort.
If the bright red blood in a dog’s stool is caused by parasites, take your dog to the vet. Most parasites are fairly easy to treat. The vet will be able to determine the exact cause of the problem. Then, they will create a treatment plan accordingly. Parasites will often cause your dog to vomit, be lethargic, and have diarrhea.
Bright red blood in a dog stool can be also caused by an infection in the intestines. Infections are caused by a lot of factors including contaminated food, allergic reactions, and parasites. In this scenario, it is important to take your dog to the vet.
Cancerous growths can cause bloody stools. This symptom occurs because the cancerous abnormality affects the colon tissue of the dog’s intestine. It leads to irritation, inflammation, and bleeding. When viewed in a microscope, the cells from the cancerous growth appear misshapen and disorganized compared to healthy cells.
Can Stress Cause Blood In Dog Stool?
Yes, stress can absolutely cause blood in a dog’s stool. This condition is often referred to as stress colitis, and it can be caused by anything from a sudden change or disruption to the dog’s environment or routine, to a big event such as a move or the addition of a new pet. It usually manifests itself as symptoms like mucus or blood in the dog’s stool, stomach distress, and occasional vomiting.
Stress colitis is a gastrointestinal disorder that is typically associated with high levels of stress. It occurs when a dog experiences frequent episodes of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, feelings of bloating and cramping, and other digestive issues in response to overwhelming mental stress.
Stress colitis involves an excessive release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and neuropeptides during periods of high tension that causes inflammation within the colon. Although this condition does not typically go away on its own, dietary changes and relaxation techniques can be helpful for managing it.
Treatment typically involves changing the dog’s diet and managing its stress levels going forward. By properly addressing both physical and emotional health concerns for your pup, you can help make sure that your furry friend is always healthy and happy!
What Do You Feed a Dog With Bloody Stool?
If your dog has a bloody stool, you’ll want to switch them to a bland diet that includes boiled chicken and rice. This will allow their digestion to reset while avoiding ingredients that irritate the gut or are difficult to digest. Of course, protein-rich diets may also be beneficial.
A bland diet for dogs is a great way to provide them with proper nutrition while nurturing an upset stomach. It consists of a combination of boiled white-meat chicken, boiled potatoes, and cooked rice. All prepared without added fat or seasonings.
Additionally, the diet should include some plain yogurt with active cultures to help support digestion and probiotics that can reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids such as ground flaxseed have anti-inflammatory properties and may aid in managing gastrointestinal discomfort. A bland diet is not a meal plan that one would feed their canine companion long term. However, it can offer relief on days when their pup isn’t feeling their best.
