Just like humans, pets who are admitted to the hospital for emergency or trauma may need to have a transfusion of blood to save their lives. This blood comes from donated blood from other pets.  

It is important to raise awareness about pet blood donation, as blood supplies used to save dogs and cats are always needed. Just one dog blood donor can give between 400 to 500 grams of blood which could save up to three lives and can be stored for up to five weeks.  

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital has set up a blood donation program right in our hospital to make it easy for your pet to donate and be a hero – and the initial donor screening and typing profile, examination, and bloodwork is no charge to you!

What are the eligibility requirements to be a pet blood donor? 

Requirements for cats and dogs vary slightly; however, the main requirement is that the animal is old enough and big enough to be able to give enough blood. They also must be free of disease, parasites, up to date on all vaccines, and eat a commercially formulated food. And they cannot have received a blood transfusion in the past. 

Here are the specific requirements for each species: 

Dogs: 

• Must be between the ages of 1-8 years. 
• Must weigh at least 22.7 kg or 50 lbs. 
• Must be spayed or neutered. 
• Cannot have received a previous blood transfusion in the past. 
• Must be up to date on all vaccines and be receiving regular flea/tick/heartworm/deworming preventative medications. 
• Must be fed a commercially formulated dog food (i.e., not raw fed). 
• Must not be receiving any long-term treatments for chronic conditions. 
• Must have an agreeable temperament.

Cats: 

• Must be between the ages of 1-8 years. 
• Must weigh at least 4.5kg or 10 lbs. 
• Must be indoor only. 
• Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the past. 
• Must be up to date on all vaccines. 
• Must be fed a commercially formulated cat food. 
• Must not be receiving any treatments for chronic conditions. 
• Must have an agreeable temperament that allows for administration of mild sedation.

Do dogs and cats have different blood types? 

Yes, and they are also different from humans.  

Dogs 

Dogs have more than 12 blood groups, and their red blood cells may contain any combination of these since each blood group is inherited independently. The most important of these is called Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1.1. Approximately 40% of dogs are positive for DEA 1.1. You can read more about blood groups and blood transfusions in dogs in the Merck Veterinary Manual, here.

Cats 

Cats have 4 known blood types, A, B, AB, and mic. Type A is most common (about 99% of cats are Type A). Certain breeds have a higher prevalence of Type B. Type AB is rare. There are no universal donors among cats, because they naturally have antibodies against the blood group antigen that they lack. You can read more about blood groups and blood transfusions in cats in the Merck Veterinary Manual, here.

What benefits are there to signing your pet up to become a blood donor?

If your pet is a good fit for our donation program, your pet will receive: 

• A full physical exam 
• Yearly routine blood work 
• Urine and fecal tests
• A toy or treat for your pet after each donation
• Parasite preventative medications 

Owners can also feel great about knowing that your pet has saved others’ lives! 

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please feel free to  email us at blooddonation@bbvsh.com. 

For more information, please visit our Blood Donor page and watch this video of our staff describing te joys and benefits our blood donor program. 

How do I participate in the pet blood donor program? 

If you think your dog/cat fits the requirements, and you would like to meet with our team for bloodwork and an examination, please fill in this application form.