Can My Dog Be a Blood Donor?

by Amber Drake, posted in General Health

Your dog being a blood donor might sound silly. But, there are thousands of dogs each day who need a blood transfusion. Dogs who have cancer, who have been hit by a car, or have another accident or condition, often require blood. And, how do they get it? Usually via blood donor doggies.

There are few blood banks for dogs, though. Most small clinics depend on the help of large clinics when they have a patient who needs blood.

What’s the Process?

The process for a dog blood donor is generally the same as ours. Your dog donates blood and it’s checked for blood-borne diseases. Dogs also have different blood types like we do- so that’s checked too. And, like us, one blood type is universal (O-).

The process usually goes like this:

  1. You visit the clinic.
  2. The blood is taken from the jugular vein in the neck.
  3. Your dog does not require any anesthesia to donate blood. And, the process usually only takes about 30 minutes.

That’s it. Some veterinarians even offer a discount to those who donate blood. So, on your next visit or if your dog ever needs emergency care, you can get it at a discounted rate.

Of course, dogs who are timid or are scared at the vets office are not good blood donor candidates. But, if your dog is outgoing at the vet’s office, and not anxious, he could be a dog who saves another.

What Else Does My Dog Need to Be a Blood Donor?

  • Many veterinarians recommend a dog be a minimum of 50 pounds.
  • The dog blood donor candidate must be healthy, and at a normal weight.
  • Short-haired dogs are preferred because they’re easier to clean and less likely to move bacteria from their fur into the blood.
  • Dogs should also be between 1 and 9 years of age.

How Can My Dog Donate Blood?

If you’re interested in having your dog donate blood, contact one of the blood banks below to find out how:

Or, you can even go talk to your vet and see where the closet blood donation program is.

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