Reviewed By Joana Garrido DVM
Anemia in dogs is a clear indicator of an underlying health issue. The recovery process can be lengthy, depending on the severity of the condition. In this article, we’ll explore the best foods to nourish an anemic dog. But before diving into the list, let’s understand the various types of anemia, their causes, and effective treatment methods.
What Is Anemia in Dogs?
Anemia in dogs is a health condition referring to the insufficient number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or both in circulation. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide in the body. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a protein inside the red blood cells. It picks up oxygen from the lungs, which will be distributed to the rest of the body by the red blood cells. Rather than being a specific disease, anemia in dogs is a symptom of an underlying ailment. To resolve this condition, its catalyst should be identified and addressed.
What Are the Different Types of Anemia in Dogs?
Depending on the root cause of anemia in dogs, it can come in various forms such as:
1. Blood Loss Anemia in Dogs
It occurs when a dog suffers from severe blood loss due to factors like:
- Internal and external parasite infestation
- Physical trauma resulting from an injury or accident
- Stomach ulcers
- Bleeding disorders
- Surgery
Severe blood loss anemia in dogs must be given immediate medical attention. If affected dogs lose over 30% to 40% of their total blood volume, they may go into shock, which can be fatal.
2. Aplastic or Non-Regenerative Anemia in Dogs
This type of anemia is brought on by chronic diseases that suppress red blood cell production. These include ailments like bone marrow disease, chronic kidney disease, toxicosis, and parvovirus. Aplastic anemia in dogs can also be a side effect of taking chemotherapy drugs and certain medications. Nutritional deficiencies are also potential culprits of this condition.
3. Methemoglobinemia in Dogs
As an oxidized form of hemoglobin, methemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen. Normally, it is present in small amounts in the body. However, certain hereditary health issues or exposure to toxins, including some medications may result in the overproduction of methemoglobin in the blood. This leads to methemoglobinemia in dogs.
4. Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs
It refers to the destruction of red blood cells. An autoimmune disorder known as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is often its common cause. However, other health issues can trigger its development, like genetic disorders, toxin exposure from ingestion of raw or concentrated forms of onions and garlic, and hypophosphatemia.
What Causes Anemia in Dogs?
Different types of diseases can trigger the manifestation of anemia in dogs. Aside from the health issues mentioned above, other common causes of this condition include:
- Cancer
- Cushing’s disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Infectious diseases, including canine distemper and parvoviruses
- Poor nutrition
- Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease
What Are the Most Common Signs of Anemia in Dogs?
The most visible indicator that a dog has anemia is having pale gums, eyes, or ears. Lack of energy may also be observed due to poor blood circulation. Other symptoms of anemia in dogs include:
- Increase heart rate
- Fast pulse or rapid breathing
- Inappetence
- Vomiting
- Bloody stools and urine
- Pale mucous membranes
- Weight loss
Anemia is not the only thing to worry about when your dog exhibits these clinical signs. Determining its root cause is another problem that needs to be addressed. So take your dog to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis.
How Is Anemia in Dogs Diagnosed?
The veterinarian will run through your dog’s entire medical history first and then conduct a series of diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood smear
- Bone marrow evaluation
- Complete blood count
- Fecal test
- Radiographs
- Ultrasound
- Urinalysis
Other lab examinations may be needed, like tumor biopsy, serology for infectious agents, and endocrine test to check for underlying health issues aside from anemia in dogs.
How Is Anemia in Dogs Treated?
The treatment for anemia in dogs will depend on its severity and underlying cause. Severely anemic dogs require a prompt blood transfusion to prevent fatalities. Blood samples and blood typing will be taken beforehand for the safe transfer of blood. If anemia in dogs is caused by parasite infestation, deworming or anti-parasite medications will be provided. Antibiotics will be prescribed for infectious diseases. The veterinarian will likely give anemic dogs with autoimmune diseases immunosuppressing drugs or steroids. Surgical procedures may be carried out for tumors and traumatic wounds. In some cases, discontinuing the use of certain drugs will be recommended.
7 Foods for Anemic Dogs on the Road to Recovery
Supplementation of iron and vitamin C-rich foods helps Fido slowly regain stable health. Iron is essential in the production of red blood cells, while vitamin C promotes better iron absorption in the body. Here are some of the best foods good for dogs recovering from anemia:
1. Liver
Animal liver is an excellent source of heme iron for dogs. This type of iron is more bioavailable, meaning your furry pal’s body absorbs it better. Beef liver and chicken liver house high concentrations of iron. Thus, opt for these varieties if they are sold in your area. Raw chicken liver provides 9 milligrams of iron per 100 grams of serving. On the other hand, dogs can acquire 5 milligrams of iron per 100 grams of raw beef liver.
Since organ meats like liver are excessively rich in nutrients, avoid overconsumption to prevent nutritional imbalance and vitamin toxicity.
2. Lean Meats
Lean meats are some of the top sources of heme iron. In a study, researchers have recorded the total iron content of selected lean meat cuts from different animals, which goes as follows:
When choosing lean meat, go for parts containing adequate levels of heme iron. Choose the rump of beef, the leg and loin of lamb, the thigh of chicken, or the loin and rump of pork.
3. Anchovies
Do not underestimate anchovies. Despite their small size, they can help manage anemia in dogs because of their iron content. For every 100 grams of raw anchovies, they provide nearly 4 milligrams of iron to dogs. They also pack high levels of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and healthy fats. These tiny fishes can be served raw or cooked. If you opt for the latter, mind how you cook them. Research shows that grilling anchovies resulted in significant losses of heme iron while boiling. Boiling is the most preferable cooking method since it does not cause heavy iron loss.
4. Spinach
Certain vegetables like spinach house ample amounts of iron for dogs. 100 grams of boiled spinach contains almost 4 milligrams of iron. However, unlike meats, the type of iron produced by plant-based foods is non-heme, which has lower bioavailability. Dog owners can improve the absorption rate of non-heme iron by supplementing their dog’s diets with foods rich in vitamin C.
Take caution when using spinach to mitigate anemia in dogs resulting from kidney-related issues. This vegetable is high in oxalic acid, which is a compound known for causing kidney stone formation.
Boiling greatly reduces the concentrations of this harmful substance. But if you do not want to take any risk, it is also fine to skip feeding spinach to dogs with urinary and renal problems.
5. Hearts of Palm
This vegetable comes from the core of certain types of palm trees such as the coconut and acai palm, hence its name. Every 100 grams of hearts of palm contains nearly 2 milligrams of iron. They are significantly loaded with potassium and contain good amounts of beta-carotene, folate, and phosphorus. Avoid canned varieties of this vegetable since they contain high levels of sodium. You can source fresh hearts of palms from some specialty stores. But they are easier to find and purchase online.
6. Rose Hips
Vitamin C is one of the nutrients with the highest concentrations stored in rose hips. A 100-gram serving of these berries contains over 400 milligrams of vitamin C. Take note that dogs rarely require additional vitamin C supplementation because their bodies are capable of synthesizing this nutrient. However, certain factors like illness and stress can affect the natural production of vitamin C. Should you decide to give Fido rose hips, do so in moderation to avoid excessive vitamin C intake.
7. Kakadu Plums
Kakadu plum is a fruit native to Australia that packs a strong punch of vitamin C. Out of all the vitamin C sources, it boasts the highest concentrations. This small fruit is said to have 100 times more vitamin C content than a whole orange. The recorded levels of vitamin C in kakadu plums range from 1000 to over 2000 milligrams per 100 grams. One of their best qualities is their high antioxidant content. They have naturally occurring phenolic compounds that boost the immune system and hinder the development of diseases causing anemia in dogs.
Anemic dogs have different dietary needs. Before you introduce any of these foods to your dog, reach out to a veterinarian and ask for their opinion. They will assist in choosing the most appropriate dietary choices for your dog’s health condition.
FAQs About Anemia in Dogs
1. What Is the Main Cause of Anemia in Dogs?
There is no single main cause of anemia in dogs. This condition can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as:
- Genetic disorders
- Poisoning
- Parasite infestation
- Infectious diseases
- Chronic health problems
The underlying issue causing anemia in dogs must be properly diagnosed and treated to prevent this ailment from persisting or recurring.
2. Can Fleas Cause Anemia in Dogs?
Fleas and other ectoparasites especially ticks can cause anemia in dogs when allowed to thrive. The same outcome may happen during cases of severe intestinal parasite infestation. Making sure that dogs do not miss taking monthly antiparasitic preventatives is the easiest way to prevent this problem from taking place.
3. Can Anemia in Dogs Be Cured?
Anemia in dogs can be cured, but the prognosis will depend on the severity of the condition as well as its root cause. Severe anemia in dogs brought on by autoimmune disease, cancer, poisoning, or acute trauma has lower chances of favorable results. If your dog is showing clinical signs of anemia, get him checked by the veterinarian straight away. Early diagnosis allows for timely treatment, which increases the likelihood of your dog recovering completely.
4. How Quickly Can a Dog Recover from Anemia?
It can take weeks or months for a dog to recover from anemia. If the prognosis is poor, your dog’s duration of recuperation may extend to years. However, do not give up. Always keep in touch with the veterinarian about your dog’s progress. Strictly follow the instructions given for the treatment process. Also, talk to them about adding iron and vitamin C-rich foods to his diet, which can help hasten red blood cell production.
Summary
Anemia occurs when there is something amiss in your dog’s health. Its sudden existence can be caused by a variety of issues, such as poor nutrition, undiagnosed diseases, and parasite infestations. The best way to get rid of anemia in dogs is by addressing its main cause. Once your dog is on the road to recovery, help his body regain normal amounts of red blood cells by feeding him foods containing loads of iron and vitamin C with the veterinarian’s approval. Download our CanDogsEatIt app to learn more natural ways to care for a sick dog back to health.
