Urine Acidity and Alkalinity
Urine is normally acidic, with a pH of about 6 (pH range 4.8-8). Foods ingested can change the acidity or alkalinity of the urine. Foods that will acidify the urine: cranberry, meat, and high-protein diet. Foods that will alkalinize the urine: dairy products, legumes, and citrus products.2 The urinary pH can be affected by the various acid-base disorders. Determination of the urinary pH is often used in the setting of a urinary tract infection. In general, acidic urine deters bacterial colonization.3
Acidifying Urine In Cats
Many cats with urinary tract problems have alkaline urine. Simply by acidifying urine slightly you may improve and sometimes eleiminate the problem. One easy way to this is to add methionine, an amino acid, right into the food.
First check the urine. Your veterinarian can do it for you or you can do it yourself using a simple litmus paper test. You purchase litmus strips through science, laboratory, or chemical supply stores, or ask your local pharmacist. The small strips determine acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Pink is acid. Blue is alkaline. Lavender is in between. You want to make urine slightly on the acidic side, so lavender to pink is the desired color. Simply place the strip in the litter box where the cat has just urinated.
Safety First
Always be sure to check the urine first before doing this. If your animal is already on a special acidifying diet, the urine may be acidic enough and you don't want to increase the acidity.
Cranberry Extract to Acidify Urine
To acidify the urine and dissolve crystals in cats with recurrent urinary obstruction problems, an extract of cranberry in tablet form can be used. A high-level good quality protein diet in combination with the extract works excellently. Dissolution of crystals can be expected within 24 hours. Cats may remain on this program indefinitely with no adverse effects.1
Acidifying Urine in Dogs with Urinary Incontinence
Dogs develop struvite calculi (stones) when their urine is alkaline and is saturated with magnesium and phosphate. Dogs may also have a urinary tract infection for struvite stone formation. some dogs produce alkaline urine despite being fed diets or drugs to acidify urine. These dogs can develop struvite calculi without infection.4 Acidifying your dog's urine can often improve, and sometimes eliminate, incontinence. One simple way to acidify the urine is to add methionine to the diet. For mild cases, this method alone may solve the problem. For severe incontinence, you will probably have to consult with your veterinarian.
First, check the urine using a simple litmus paper test. Simply place a strip in a spot where the dog has just urinated. Pink is acid. Blue is alkaline. Lavender is in between. You want to make urine slightly on the acidic side, so lavender to pink is the desired color. Keep in mind that urine turns more alkaline with time, so test the urine as soon as possible. If you have any doubts, bring the animal or a sample of the urine to your veterinarian for more precise testing.1
References
1. The veterinarians' guide to natural remedies for cats. Martin Zucker
2. Textbook of basic nursing. Caroline Bunker Rosdahl, Mary T. Kowalski
3. Basic Skills in Interpreting Laboratory Data. Mary Lee
4. Home-prepared dog & cat diets: a healthful alternative. Donald R. Strombeck
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