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As a pet parent, it’s a great idea to monitor all aspects of your dog’s health. This includes any changes in your dog’s urine. Changes in your dog’s pee can be an indication that he’s developed a condition that needs to be checked by the vet.
Has your dog’s pee begun to smell like iron? Are you worried your dog could be sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog has concerning symptoms like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at different causes of pee that smells like iron and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
What Makes a Dog’s Pee Smell Like Iron?
If you notice that your dog’s pee smells like iron, this could mean there’s blood in his urine. Blood has a metallic smell, similar to iron. There are several different reasons a dog’s urine may contain blood.
1). Urinary Tract Infection
One of the most common causes of blood in the urine is a urinary tract infection (also called a UTI). An infection can start just about anywhere within the dog’s urinary tract, between the bladder and kidneys.
An infection is usually caused by bacteria, such as E. coli, but can also be caused by a fungal infection. Both of these types of infections can lead to blood in the urine.
2). Kidney Disease
Another common cause of urine that smells like iron is kidney disease. The kidneys work to filter waste products and toxins from a dog’s system. When the kidneys are unable to function correctly, these waste products build up in the dog’s body. When this happens, the urine may be more concentrated and smell like iron.
Kidney disease can strike a dog of any age; however, it’s more common in older dogs.
3). Other Conditions
There are other medical conditions that can cause pee to smell like iron. These include metabolic diseases (kidney failure, kidney/bladder stones), cancer, and more. Even a change in diet may cause a dog’s urine to smell like iron.
What to Do If Your Dog’s Urine Smells Like Iron
If your dog’s pee smells like iron, you may notice other symptoms in your dog. For instance, he may cry when urinating, need to urinate more frequently, his urine may be red or brownish (possible indication of blood in the urine), and more.
These symptoms are all indications that your dog needs to see the vet as soon as possible. The longer the underlying cause goes untreated, the higher the chances your dog could develop a more serious medical condition.
So, if your dog’s pee smells like iron, then be sure to call the vet. They have the knowledge and experience to figure out what’s causing the iron smell in your dog’s urine. What’s more, the sooner your canine companion is treated, the sooner he can feel better!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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