Types of Anemia in Dogs and How To Treat It at Home

Written by Jennifer Geer
Published: February 28, 2023
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Does your dog suddenly act lethargic or tire easily while playing? If so, your pet may be suffering from anemia. Anemia isn’t a condition by itself but is due to underlying issues. 

Anemia can happen in your dog when your dog’s body isn’t producing enough hemoglobin (a protein inside red blood cells) or when your dog suffers a severe loss of blood. Conditions such as cancer, parasites, or stomach ulcers can cause a dog to lose blood, or it can be the result of an injury or accident.

There are four common types of anemia in dogs. Your veterinarian needs to uncover the cause of your pet’s anemia before recommending treatments. One way you can help your dog at home is to feed your pet a diet rich in iron. 

Let’s look at the types of anemia common in dogs and what iron-rich foods are safe for dogs to eat.

What Is Anemia and What Are the Main Types?

Anemia is not a condition by itself but is actually a symptom of another disease or illness. When humans or pets become anemic, there is a cause behind it.

There are four common types of anemia in dogs. The type your dog may have will depend on the underlying condition causing the anemia.

Blood loss anemia. Accidents, injuries, ulcers, internal parasites, cancer, or other health issues can cause a dog to lose a lot of blood, resulting in anemia. It will be obvious if your dog experienced an injury and is having fast blood loss. However, ulcers or parasites can cause slow blood loss, which may need vet tests to determine.

Hemolytic anemia. This type of anemia happens when your dog’s immune system fights and destroys its own healthy red blood cells faster than the dog’s body can create new red blood cells. This can be caused by toxins, genetic issues, or other underlying disorders, such as cancer.

Aplastic or non-regenerative anemia. When your dog’s body doesn’t make enough red blood cells, your dog can develop anemia. This type of anemia can be caused by kidney disease, toxins, bone marrow disease, parasitic diseases, certain medications, or cancer treatments. 

Methemoglobinemia. Genetic issues or toxins usually cause this form of anemia. Medications meant for humans, such as ibuprofenacetaminophen, and benzocaine can lead to an overproduction of methemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin’s job is to carry oxygen through the blood, but methemoglobin is a type of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen.

More About Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the protein inside the red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen. Red blood cells are also responsible for removing carbon dioxide from your body. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and are replaced about every three months.

Dog laying down on floor

Anemia isn’t a condition by itself but is due to underlying issues. 

©iStock.com/stonena7

What Are the Signs My Dog Might Be Anemic?

Symptoms of anemia can vary in dogs. For example, you may notice your dog has less energy or tires easily while playing. A tell-tale sign to look for is in your dog’s mouth. Pale pink or white gums can mean anemia.

Some common symptoms to watch for include:

  • Fatigue, weakness, and lethargy (your dog tires easily while playing or on walks)
  • Pale pink or white gums
  • Decreased appetite
  • Black stools
  • Weight loss
  • Swelling in the face or jaw
  • Fast pulse, rapid breathing
  • Vomiting
Dog with pale, white gums

A tell-tale sign to look for in your dog is pale pink or white gums which can be a sign of anemia.

©Mangpor_nk/Shutterstock.com

What Causes Anemia in Dogs?

Many different underlying conditions can cause anemia in dogs. Furthermore, certain dog breeds, such as cocker spaniels, may be susceptible to anemia. 

Some of the most common conditions to cause anemia can include:

  • Blood loss from parasites
  • Blood loss from trauma, accident, or injury
  • Cushing’s disease
  • Tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease)
  • Poor nutrition (diet lacking iron-rich foods)
  • Cancer
  • Toxins or ingesting certain medications
  • Intestinal bleeding
  • Canine distemper or other infectious diseases
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Kidney disease
  • Other chronic diseases that may affect red blood cells

How Is Anemia Diagnosed?

Your vet will ask you for a history of your dog’s symptoms and activity levels. Although symptoms may point to anemia in your dog, a blood test will confirm the diagnosis. Vets typically run a test called a packed cell volume (PCV) to find the percentage of red blood cells in the dog’s bloodstream. If your dog’s blood shows levels under 35%, they are considered anemic.

Another commonly run test by vets is a complete blood cell count (CBC.) This test can determine the severity of anemia. Additionally, your dog’s vet may want to check red blood cell counts (RBC) and hemoglobin counts, in addition to running other tests to check sugar levels and organ function. 

There are many other specialized tests your vet may want to run to help determine the underlying disease and severity of the anemia. Testing will help your vet know if your dog is losing red blood cells, or if his body is actually destroying them (which could mean hemolytic anemia.)

Finally, your vet may want to test iron levels in your dog’s blood since a lack of iron is another cause of anemia.

Veterinarian drawing blood from dog

Your veterinarian will want to run blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of anemia.

©Dragon Images/Shutterstock.com

What Other Tests May a Vet Run for Dogs with Anemia?

If your dog is found to be anemic, your vet will want to find the underlying cause to determine the best treatment plan.

For example, a fecal test can determine if a parasite is causing anemia. A urinalysis or biochemical profile can give information on your dog’s organ health or electrolyte levels. (Electrolytes are essential minerals important to many functions in the body.) A high white blood cell count might point to leukemia. Sometimes, tests such as bone marrow biopsies, ultrasounds, or X-rays may help reveal the cause of anemia.

What Are the Treatment Options for Anemia in Your Dog?

If your dog is diagnosed with anemia, the treatment will need to cure or alleviate the underlying condition. Sometimes treating anemia can be quick and simple. Other times, a more serious condition causing anemia may require multiple treatments, checkups, follow-up visits, or even surgery. 

Based on your dog’s illness, your vet may recommend the following treatments:

  • Change in current medications
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Parasitic medications or deworming
  • Antibiotics
  • Bone marrow transfusion
  • Blood transfusion
  • Surgery
  • Gastrointestinal medication
  • Immunosuppressive drugs
  • Chemotherapy
  • Potassium phosphate supplements

Is Anemia Life-Threatening?

The prognosis depends on what’s causing anemia and what treatments are available for your dog. Unfortunately, anemia can be a symptom of some very serious conditions. If your dog shows signs of anemia, it’s important you contact your vet as soon as possible.

How Can I Treat My Dog’s Anemia at Home?

Your vet will provide you with a treatment plan, but you can ask your vet if adding fresh food containing iron would be beneficial for your pet.

Some foods that are iron-rich and safe for dogs include:

Another home treatment can include vitamin C. This vitamin helps the body absorb iron from the intestinal tract. However, how much vitamin C to give your dog depends on your dog’s size. It can range anywhere from 500 to 2,000 milligrams per day. Ask your vet if vitamin C is a good idea for your pet, and if so, how many milligrams should your dog take?

Remember to check with your vet before giving your dog new foods, medications, or supplements. Liver is high in vitamin A, and too much may cause diarrhea. Sardines can be high in sodium and oil, which can make your dog sick. Too much spinach can lead to kidney problems, and serving it raw can be hard to digest. Your vet can help you determine the proper amount of iron-rich foods that are best for your pooch.

Dog eating out of a bowl

Some possible home treatments for anemia may include feeding your dog iron-rich foods and giving them vitamin C.

©Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock.com

Can I Prevent My Dog from Developing Anemia?

Sadly, some of the conditions that can cause anemia are not possible to prevent. However, there are plenty of ways you can help keep your dog healthy, which also helps to prevent your dog from developing certain types of anemia. 

These preventions include:

  • Offering a healthy diet
  • Providing your pooch with plenty of exercise
  • Using year-round parasitic medication to protect against heartworm, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
  • Keeping toxins and human medications out of reach of your pooch
  • Bring your dog to your vet for yearly wellness examinations

Anemia is a serious, but often treatable condition. If you notice your dog has signs of anemia, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet as soon as possible.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Prystai/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Jennifer Geer is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on animals, news topics, travel, and weather. Jennifer holds a Master's Degree from the University of Tulsa, and she has been researching and writing about news topics and animals for over four years. A resident of Illinois, Jennifer enjoys hiking, gardening, and caring for her three pugs.

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