Blood donation in animals still not widely known despite high demand

Dogs and cats can donate blood to help multiple animals in need, with clinics calling for more healthy, vaccinated donors.

In Quebec, the demand for blood products is high during the summer months, but did you know that your pet can also donate blood? Your dog or cat could save the lives of many other animals, especially since the need is becoming increasingly critical due to the growth of the animal population in recent years.

A dog’s blood donation can save six animals, and a cat’s blood can save up to three. Like humans, animals have blood types, so multiple donors are needed to ensure compatibility with recipients.

Summer is a time when the need for blood products is greater and blood shortages can occur.

There are three main causes of anemia, explains Vincent Gauthier, a veterinarian at the Laval Vet et Nous Veterinary Centre, a 24-hour emergency and referral centre.

The first is due to blood loss during hemorrhage; the second is due to the destruction of red blood cells by the immune system, which can be caused by several fairly common diseases; and the third is related to a lack of red blood cell production by the bone marrow.

In summer, the increase in demand is mainly due to hemorrhages that occur when the animal has been involved in a trauma, whether due to a fall or being hit by a vehicle.

“Indeed, these types of cases are more common in summer, so by default there are slightly more large-volume transfusions. Of course, apart from that, there are other causes of transfusions or anemia that are common throughout the year. So it’s still quite a reality all year round, but a little more pronounced during busy periods such as the summer,” says the vet.

Blood donation in animals remains relatively unknown

Patrice Lavoie has six dogs at home, two of which are blood donors. The others are not eligible due to their insufficient weight.

He recently posted on social media to promote blood donation in animals, which caused quite a stir among his friends and family.

“It’s really a subject that people know little about, and since I made that post, a lot of people on social media have asked for more information and said they would be willing to donate. So yes, it should be better known,” he said in an interview in June.

Lavoie is director of public relations and outreach at Héma-Québec, which is solely responsible for human blood products in Quebec.

For animals, there is a Canadian blood bank and others in the U.S. and Europe whose mission is to provide blood products—mainly from dogs—to veterinary hospitals and clinics.

“Given that transfusion needs are often greater in referral centres and emergency centres, it is still common practice for each of these centres to have their own blood bank to supplement their inventory as needed. This is especially true for us in Canada, where we generally cannot purchase blood for cats. So we always have to have our own cat donors to be able to provide the necessary blood products,” explains Gauthier.

Lavoie understands the challenges of blood collection, even though animals are not his area of expertise.

“I am aware of the importance of blood donation in general, and then one of my dogs had an accident. A month later, he needed two units of plasma. It really made me realize how true it is that you never know when you might need a transfusion yourself, but I experienced it first-hand with one of my pets,” he says.

On the other hand, there is no permanent bank for other pets, but there may be occasional needs, particularly for exotic birds, rabbits, hamsters, etc. When there is a need for these animals, the vet contacts a register of potential donors.

As a general rule, for all species except dogs, blood donations are made under sedation. Dogs do not need this or may be given a mild sedative by mouth.

Animals can donate safely every four to six weeks, but veterinarians generally space donations every three to four months. As with human blood drives, there are animal “super donors,” and there are also families who have had several dogs or cats in their lifetime, each of which has donated for several years.

Blood donation in animals is free of charge; however, if your pet needs a transfusion, the bill can range from $1,000 to $1,500, which includes tests to determine its blood type and the transfusion itself.

By Katrine Desautels

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The Canadian Press’s health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial decisions.

- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 28, 2025.