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Yes. Pets sometimes require transfusions as well, so it's helpful to know their blood type. If they've had any blood tests, the vet should have that information on record.
Feline blood types are classified into three categories: A, B, and AB. Approximately 90% of domestic cats in the U.S. have type A blood, while B is typically found in certain exotic purebred cats. AB is the rarest type. None of these types are universal donors for cats.
Canine blood types are represented by 'DEA,' or Dog Erythrocyte Antigen, and are divided into eight groups: DEA 1.1 DEA 1.2 DEA 3 DEA 4 DEA 5 DEA 7 DEA 8
Dogs that are DEA 1.1 positive are considered universal recipients, while those with DEA 1.1 negative blood (60% of greyhounds fall into this category) are universal donors.
When an animal requires an emergency blood transfusion, the first step a vet takes is to look for potential donors within the clinic. If none are found, they will then reach out to local animal blood banks. Dogs can be regular blood donors if they weigh at least 55 pounds, are spayed (for females), and have never been pregnant. Pregnancy can introduce antibodies to the dog’s blood, which may cause the recipient to reject it. However, fewer animal blood banks have regular cat donors since cats must be anesthetized for the donation. Fortunately, as most cats are type A, if blood is needed, another feline in the clinic can often provide a quick solution.
