Seeing your dog poop blood and refuse food or water can be deeply alarming. These symptoms often signal an urgent issue affecting your dog’s digestive tract or overall health.
We outline the common causes of a dog pooping blood and not eating or drinking, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Dog Pooping Blood and Not Eating or Drinking? — Why It Happens
When a dog is passing blood in their stool and also refusing to eat or drink, it usually points to gastrointestinal distress or systemic illness. Infections such as parvovirus, intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, stress colitis, or something more serious like internal bleeding or gastrointestinal tumors could all be contributing factors.
Dehydration from not drinking can quickly worsen any of these conditions, making prompt evaluation essential.
Common Causes of Pooping Blood and Not Eating or Drinking?
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that mainly affects puppies but can also infect unvaccinated adult dogs.
It targets the gastrointestinal tract, leading to severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and refusal to eat or drink.
Dogs with parvo often become rapidly dehydrated and weak, with a distinct foul odor from the stool.
Immediate veterinary care is essential, as untreated parvo can be fatal.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)
HGE causes sudden and severe bloody diarrhea and vomiting, often without a known cause.
Affected dogs may stop eating or drinking almost immediately due to discomfort and nausea.
The stool often looks like raspberry jam and may be accompanied by lethargy or signs of abdominal pain.
While the condition can be treatable, it progresses quickly and is potentially life-threatening without fluid therapy and veterinary care.
Intestinal Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms can all irritate the intestinal lining, causing blood in the stool and loss of appetite.
Puppies are particularly vulnerable, but adult dogs can be affected too, especially if their environment isn’t regularly cleaned.
If your dog is not drinking, they may become weak or dizzy due to the blood loss and dehydration.
A stool test from your vet can identify parasites, and deworming treatments are typically effective.
Read more: Dog Not Eating and Drinking a Lot of Water (Is it serious or just dehydration?)
Foreign Object Obstruction
Dogs who ingest bones, toys, or other non-digestible items may suffer from a blockage in their gastrointestinal tract.
This can lead to bleeding, especially if the object scrapes the intestinal lining, and will often result in vomiting and refusal to eat or drink.
Your dog may pace, whine, or show signs of abdominal discomfort as the blockage progresses.
In many cases, surgery is needed to remove the obstruction.
Gastrointestinal Tumors
Cancers of the digestive tract can cause both visible blood in the stool and a progressive decline in appetite.
As tumors grow, they can ulcerate or interfere with digestion, leading to vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration.
These are more common in older dogs, and the symptoms often develop gradually but worsen over time.
Veterinary imaging and biopsies are needed for diagnosis, and treatment may involve surgery or chemotherapy.
Dietary Indiscretion or Toxins
Dogs that get into garbage, spoiled food, or household toxins may suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation or poisoning.
This can cause blood in the stool along with nausea, vomiting, and refusal to eat or drink.
Common culprits include chocolate, grapes, rodenticides, and fatty leftovers.
Rapid treatment improves outcomes, especially if the toxin is identified early.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Pooping Blood and Not Eating or Drinking
If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, remove any access to food for a few hours to rest the gut, but always offer fresh water.
Encourage small sips of water or offer ice cubes if they’re not drinking. This helps prevent dehydration while being gentle on the stomach.
Avoid giving any over-the-counter medications unless directed by your vet, as they can worsen internal bleeding or toxicity.
If your dog is still alert and only mildly affected, a bland diet (like boiled chicken and white rice) may help once vomiting and bleeding have stopped.
Keep your dog in a calm environment and monitor stool consistency, color, and frequency for your vet.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek immediate veterinary care if:
The bloody stool is bright red or looks like coffee grounds
Your dog is vomiting repeatedly or can’t hold down water
They appear lethargic, weak, or are shaking
The symptoms have lasted more than 12–24 hours without improvement
Your dog is a young puppy, senior, or has pre-existing health conditions
Time is critical when blood loss or dehydration is involved. Delaying care can make treatment more complex or even life-threatening.
Read more: Old dog pooping blood and not eating (What it means)
Key Takeaway
If your dog is pooping blood and not eating or drinking, it’s a clear sign something is wrong—and fast action matters.
Many of the potential causes are treatable, but only with prompt veterinary diagnosis and care. Don’t wait it out. Keep your dog hydrated as best you can, document their symptoms, and reach out to your vet immediately to give them the best chance at recovery.