Green Dog Urine: What Does it Mean & What Should I do?

Score for Seniors:
Activity Level:
Weight: Pounds

Author:

green urine sample in a laboratory

This article was updated on January 19th, 2024

Why Your Dog’s Urine May Be Green

Dog urine is a product of the kidneys filtering the dog’s blood to remove toxins and other substances. Green dog urine is typically a result of excess bilirubin in the blood being filtered out by the kidneys, into the urine.

Green-Colored Urine Often Signals a Serious Medical Condition

Green-colored dog urine is rare, but if seen, may signal a serious medical condition in your dog. Truly green dog urine is a result of a substance called bilirubin being in very high levels in the blood and then being filtered out by the kidneys.

High levels of bilirubin in the blood are a result of either liver and gallbladder disease, or the destruction of red blood cells by the body’s immune system.  

Important: Check that your dog’s urine is really green.

Dr. Whittenburg explains:

“Dark yellow urine may appear green when voided on carpet or other household surfaces. Dark yellow urine is typically a sign of dehydration, and the urine is more concentrated than normal. However, this is typically a benign condition, and your dog simply needs to drink more.”

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

Veterinarian Director at SeniorTailWaggers.com


View our dog urine color chart.

What Should You Do If Your Dog’s Urine or Pee is Green

If you are concerned because your dog’s urine appears green colored, you should first evaluate how they are feeling overall.

If your dog shows other signs of illness: If the dog is vomiting or feeling unwell, you should take them to their veterinarian to be evaluated.

“If possible, you should take a sample of the urine to your vet in a clean container. Many owners use soup ladles to catch urine from their pets. If your appointment is not until the next day, refrigerate the sample in a clean container.”

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

Veterinarian Director at SeniorTailWaggers.com

If your dog feels fine and acts normal: If your dog seems to have green-colored urine but feels fine, is eating, and not showing any signs of illness, you should encourage them to drink and hydrate themselves. In addition to offering plenty of fresh water, you can feed them canned or moist food, add water to their kibble, and offer ice cubes as a treat to encourage hydration.

Keep an eye on your dog’s urine and see if the increase in water consumption leads to a more normal-colored urine. If not, it is time to see your veterinarian.

Related post: Dog Pee Color Chart: What Abnormal Urine Colors Mean

What Does Normal Dog Urine Look Like?

Normal dog urine looks exactly like normal human urine. The urine should be light yellow and clear. Cloudiness, things floating in the urine, red, brown, or green color, and a foul smell are all causes for concern.

Most Frequent Urine Colors (Dog Urine Color Chart)

dog urine color chart

Related posts:

Author

  • Dr Whittenburg, Hospital Director

    Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a Veterinarian Director at 'Senior Tail Waggers' and Director and Owner of Kingsgate Animal Hospital, a full-service animal hospital in Lubbock, TX. She graduated from Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and has over 17 years of experience working as a veterinarian & hospital director.

Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.