When your dog is pooping blood and coughing at the same time, it can be alarming and overwhelming. These symptoms suggest that something serious could be affecting both the digestive and respiratory systems.
Acting quickly to understand and address the causes is crucial for your dog’s health.
We outline the common reasons your dog is pooping blood and coughing, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Table of Contents
Dog Pooping Blood and Coughing — Why It Happens
When a dog is both pooping blood and coughing, it often signals a severe underlying illness. This may include infections like parvovirus or kennel cough, parasitic infestations that affect both the intestines and lungs, poisoning, or even heart disease.
Sometimes, advanced cancer or bleeding disorders can cause blood in the stool while also weakening the respiratory system. These conditions can quickly escalate without prompt treatment.
Common Causes of Dog Pooping Blood and Coughing
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral infection, especially in puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It attacks the lining of the intestines, causing bloody diarrhea.
Dogs with parvo often become weak and dehydrated quickly. While parvovirus mainly targets the gut, the infection and dehydration can also weaken the lungs, leading to coughing or difficulty breathing. Rapid veterinary intervention is critical for survival.
Read more: Dog Pooping Blood and Grass (What it means)
Parasites (Hookworms and Lungworms)
Intestinal parasites such as hookworms attach to the intestinal lining and cause bloody stools. At the same time, lungworms invade the respiratory system, causing persistent coughing.
If a dog has a mixed parasite load, both symptoms can appear together. Worm infestations also cause weight loss, weakness, and anemia, making your dog look visibly unwell.
Poisoning or Toxin Ingestion
Certain toxins, such as rat poison (anticoagulants), can cause internal bleeding throughout the body. Dogs that ingest these poisons may cough up blood or have blood in their stool.
They may also become lethargic, weak, or collapse. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment, as poisons interfere with the dog’s ability to clot blood.
Heart Disease
Dogs with advanced heart disease or heart failure often cough due to fluid buildup in the lungs. At the same time, reduced circulation and oxygen supply can lead to gastrointestinal distress and bloody stools.
In some cases, medications for heart disease may also irritate the stomach, causing bloody diarrhea.
These symptoms usually appear in older dogs but can affect younger ones with congenital heart conditions.
Severe Respiratory Infections
Conditions like kennel cough or pneumonia can cause a persistent, harsh cough. If the infection spreads through the bloodstream, it may damage other organs, including the intestines, which can result in bloody stools.
Dogs with pneumonia may also struggle with fever, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing.
Cancer
Cancers of the digestive tract, lungs, or systemic cancers that spread throughout the body can present with both coughing and bloody stools.
Tumors in the intestines often ulcerate and bleed, while lung tumors or metastatic cancers may cause a persistent cough.
Unfortunately, cancers in dogs are often advanced by the time symptoms like these appear.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Pooping Blood and Coughing
If your dog shows both of these symptoms, it’s important to act quickly. Make sure your dog has access to fresh water, as both diarrhea and coughing can lead to dehydration.
Keep your pet calm and rested, as activity can worsen coughing or bleeding.
Do not give human medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can worsen bleeding. If you suspect poisoning, try to identify the source (such as rat bait) and bring the packaging to the vet.
For puppies, keep them isolated from other dogs to prevent the spread of infections like parvovirus.
Temporary fasting (skipping one meal) may help give the digestive system a rest if diarrhea is severe, but veterinary evaluation is still necessary.
Supportive home care can help stabilize your dog, but professional diagnosis and treatment are essential.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
You should contact a vet right away if your dog is coughing and pooping blood. These combined symptoms are rarely minor and often indicate emergencies such as poisoning, parvovirus, or advanced heart disease.
Go to the vet immediately if your dog:
Has large amounts of blood in their stool.
Is coughing persistently or bringing up blood.
Appears weak, lethargic, or collapses.
Refuses to eat or drink.
Shows labored breathing or pale gums.
Prompt treatment can make a life-saving difference, especially in cases of poisoning, infection, or heart failure.
Read more: Dog Pooping Blood and Lethargic (Why you should act fast)
Key Takeaway
When a dog is pooping blood and coughing, it signals a potentially severe health problem. Causes can range from infections and parasites to poisoning, heart disease, or cancer.
At-home care may help stabilize your pet, but veterinary evaluation is urgent. Staying alert, acting quickly, and seeking professional help can give your dog the best chance for recovery.