We all know that humans have blood types that fall within one of eight categories: A Positive, A Negative, B Positive, B Negative, O Positive, O Negative, AB Positive, and AB Negative. But have you ever wondered if animals have blood types? We have! So we did a little research to find out.
Many animals do have different blood types and can even donate blood or receive blood transfusions, just like humans. And just like humans, animal blood types are determined by the presence or absence of different antigens on the surface of their red blood cells. However, their blood type systems vary by species and differ from human blood types. Let’s take a look at blood types in some of the most common pets.
Blood Types in Dogs
Dogs have more than eight different antigens, or blood types. Dog Erythrocyte Antigens are labeled as DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and very often the majority dogs within a specific breed with fall within the same blood type. Like their O Negative human counterparts, dogs with a DEA 1.1 negative blood type are considered universal donors.
Blood Types in Cats
Cats only have two possible antigens—A and B (and rarely, AB)—but they aren’t the same A and B antigens found in human blood. Unlike humans and dogs, there is no universal donor or recipient for feline blood, but the overwhelming majority of domestic cats have type A blood.
Blood Types in Rabbits
It might surprise you to learn that rabbit and human blood are substantially similar, especially in platelet functionality. Rabbits have a variety of blood antigens and some are similar to those found in human blood. The most common blood groups for rabbits is the H1-H2 system where rabbits can be classified as H1, H2, H1H2 (having both H1 and H2), or H0 (lacking both H1 and H2). Sound familiar? Human blood types AB have both A and B antigens while blood types O lack both A and B antigens. While the H1-H2 system is the most common classification type for blood in rabbits, they do have other blood groups including Z, Y, X. and W.
Blood Types in Birds
Astonishingly, chickens have thirteen different blood groups! These systems are identified as: A, B, C, D, E, H, I, J, K, L, N, P, and R. However, unlike their avian counterparts, parrots do not have recognized blood types, though research into avian blood groups is ongoing.