Symptom · Dogs and cats
Blood in urine: what it means and when to call the vet
Blood in the urine should be checked by a vet within a day. It is often a bladder infection or inflammation, but it can signal stones or, rarely, a tumour. A cat — especially a male — straining with little urine is an emergency.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Bladder infection (more common in female dogs)
- Feline idiopathic cystitis — stress-related inflammation in cats
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Prostate problems in intact male dogs
- Rat poison or clotting disorders
- Tumours in older pets (less common)
What you can do at home
- Collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container if you can
- Encourage drinking
- Note how often your pet goes and whether they strain
What the vet may do
- Urine tests and culture
- Ultrasound or X-rays for stones
- Antibiotics, pain relief or a special diet depending on the cause
Prevention
- Plenty of water, wet food for cats
- Regular chances to urinate for dogs
The details
Red or pink urine is not always blood — beetroot and some medicines can colour urine — but it should be checked. A morning urine sample, kept in the fridge and brought within a few hours, helps your vet enormously.
Questions owners ask
Is blood in urine an emergency?
Usually it is not an emergency, but your pet should see a vet within 24 hours. Go now if you see: straining with little or no urine (possible blockage); vomiting, weakness or collapse; pale gums or bruising elsewhere (possible poisoning with rat bait).
What causes blood in urine?
Bladder infection (more common in female dogs); Feline idiopathic cystitis — stress-related inflammation in cats; Bladder stones or crystals; Prostate problems in intact male dogs; Rat poison or clotting disorders; Tumours in older pets (less common).
What can I do at home?
Collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container if you can. Encourage drinking. Note how often your pet goes and whether they strain.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts