Bladder stones in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Bladder stones are stones that develop in a dog’s bladder.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Bladder stones can develop in any dog.^[1] Some dogs are much more prone to bladder stones, including Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Dalmatians and Bulldogs.^[1] Straining to pee but nothing coming out is an emergency because your dog will not be able to pee.^[1]

Signs

Straining to pee
Pain, such as whimpering or yelping, while peeing
Peeing in very small amounts
Peeing more often
Blood in the urine
Peeing in the house
Drinking more
Straining to pee but nothing coming out
Vomiting
Low energy

Causes and risk factors

Miniature Schnauzers
Dachshunds
Dalmatians
Bulldogs

How a vet finds out

Blood tests
Urine tests
X-rays
Ultrasound

How vets treat it

Surgery
Antibiotics
Diet change
Medication

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Straining to pee ; Pain (whimpering or yelping) while peeing ; Peeing in very small amounts ; Peeing more often ; Blood in urine ; Peeing in the house ; Drinking more ; Straining to pee but nothing coming out ; Vomiting ; Lethargy (low energy)”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What signs can bladder stones cause in dogs?

Signs can include straining or pain while peeing, peeing in very small amounts or more often, blood in the urine, peeing in the house, drinking more, vomiting and low energy.^[1]

Can any dog develop bladder stones?

Yes. Bladder stones can develop in any dog, although some dogs are more prone to them, including Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Dalmatians and Bulldogs.^[1]

How might a vet check for bladder stones?

A vet may ask questions about your dog, feel your dog’s tummy, and use X-rays or an ultrasound of the bladder to confirm bladder stones.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages