Introduction
Urine pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of a dog’s urine. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. The normal urine pH range for healthy dogs is typically between 6.5 to 7.0. If a dog’s urine pH falls outside of this normal range, it can indicate an underlying health condition.
There are two main categories of abnormal urine pH in dogs: acidic urine (below 6.5) and alkaline urine (above 7.0). An acidic urine pH is most commonly caused by metabolic or renal tubular acidosis. Alkaline urine can be caused by bacterial urinary tract infections, certain medications, or conditions like Addison’s disease. Abnormal urine pH affects the solubility of certain crystals and compounds in a dog’s urine, which can lead to urinary tract issues like infections, stones, or crystal formation.
Measuring Urine pH
The urine pH in dogs can be measured using either urine dipsticks or electronic pH meters. To obtain a urine sample from a dog, the vet will often use a technique called cystocentesis, where a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder to obtain pure urine. This avoids contamination from environmental factors. A mid-stream free catch sample can also be obtained when the dog voluntarily urinates, but care must be taken to avoid getting the sample from puddles on the floor.
Urine dipsticks provide a quick, inexpensive way to measure pH. The test strip contains indicators that change color depending on the pH. By comparing the color change to a standard chart, the pH can be determined. However, urine dipsticks only measure to the nearest whole pH unit. Electronic pH meters provide a more accurate reading by measuring pH to the nearest 0.01 unit. The urine sample is placed on the electrode, and the change in electrical potential determines the hydrogen ion concentration, which is then converted into the pH value.
According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, the normal urine pH range for dogs is 6 to 7.5. Values outside this range could indicate an underlying health condition. Overall, electronic pH meters tend to be more accurate than urine dipsticks for measuring pH.
Causes of Low Urine pH
There are several potential causes of abnormally low urine pH in dogs:
Kidney disorders like chronic kidney disease can make it difficult for the kidneys to excrete acids and regulate pH, leading to acidic urine (1).
Metabolic conditions like diabetes mellitus can result in ketoacidosis, which produces excess acid and causes acidic urine (2).
Liver disease can impair the liver’s ability to process ammonia, which is important for acid-base regulation, resulting in low urine pH (3).
Certain infections, especially in the urinary tract, may cause pH changes and acidic urine. Bacterial infections can produce acids that lower urine pH (4).
Other factors like diet, dehydration, tumors, toxins, Addison’s disease, and Rickets can also contribute to abnormally acidic urine and reduced urine pH in dogs (5).
Symptoms of Low Urine pH
There are several symptoms associated with low urine pH in dogs, which can indicate a health problem. Some key symptoms to watch for include:
Increased drinking and urination – Dogs with acid urine often experience an increase in thirst and need to urinate more frequently. This is caused by the kidneys trying to dilute and flush out excess minerals and acids. According to the Whole Dog Journal, increased urination may be one of the first symptoms noticed.
Changes in urinary habits or discomfort – Straining, crying, or other signs of discomfort when urinating can indicate irritation and inflammation in the urinary tract from acidic urine, as noted by Barking Buddha Pet. Dogs may have difficulty fully emptying their bladders.
Loss of appetite, lethargy – Metabolic acidosis from low urine pH causes nausea and lack of energy. Dogs may seem listless and uninterested in food according to the Animal Medical Center of Chicago.
Vomiting, diarrhea – The gastrointestinal tract can also be affected by acidosis. Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms, creating further dehydration and mineral loss.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing low urine pH in dogs begins with a urinalysis. The urine is tested with a dipstick to measure the pH level. Normal dog urine pH is typically between 6.5-7.5 (source). A pH below 6.0 indicates an abnormally acidic urine.
The veterinarian may also run other urine tests to check for signs of infection, crystals, or other abnormalities. A urine culture can identify a bacterial urinary tract infection that may be causing the low pH. Blood tests can check kidney function and look for other systemic issues (source).
Medical imaging such as x-rays or ultrasound may be used to get a closer look at the urinary tract and kidneys. This can identify structural problems, bladder stones, or tumors that could potentially lead to urine acidification.
Treatment
Treatment for low urine pH in dogs focuses on addressing the underlying cause, making dietary changes, and giving medications or supplements if needed.
If there is an underlying condition causing the low pH, such as diabetes or kidney disease, treating that condition is crucial. Proper management of diseases like these can help bring the urine pH back into the normal range.
Dietary changes are often recommended, as certain foods can make urine more alkaline. Feeding a diet rich in moisture and minimally processed proteins may raise urine pH. Your vet may prescribe a therapeutic food formulated for urinary health.
If diet changes alone don’t work, your vet may prescribe potassium citrate supplements or medications like methionine to help alkalinize the urine. These can help bring your dog’s urinary pH into a healthier range.
Dietary Management
There are several dietary adjustments that can help manage low urine pH in dogs:
Prescription dog foods formulated for urinary health, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet c/d Canine Urinary Stress, can help restore normal urine pH and reduce crystal formation. These foods are typically high in moisture and contain ingredients to promote a healthy urinary environment.
Supplements like potassium citrate can alkalinize the urine and raise pH levels. Consult with your veterinarian on dosage guidelines based on your dog’s specific needs. Too much potassium can be dangerous.
Avoid diets high in plant proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables, which can make urine more alkaline. Stick to low residue diets with moderate protein and fat from animal sources. Limit high oxalate foods like spinach, rhubarb and beets which can contribute to crystal formation.
Providing ample fresh water, adding broths, switching to canned food, and decreasing sodium can help dogs stay optimally hydrated and dilute urine, preventing crystallization.
Have your veterinarian periodically check your dog’s urine pH when making dietary changes to ensure levels are normalizing.
Lifestyle Changes
There are a few lifestyle changes that can help manage low urine pH in dogs.
First, providing your dog with increased access to water can help dilute the urine and raise the pH. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water. Taking your dog on more frequent walks and providing access to water both indoors and outdoors can encourage increased water consumption.
Additionally, providing your dog with more frequent opportunities to urinate can help flush out the urinary tract and prevent urine from becoming too concentrated and acidic. Take your dog outside to relieve themselves at least 3-5 times per day. Watch for signs they need to urinate like circling, sniffing, or whining. Allow them ample time to fully empty their bladder each time.
According to Urine Trouble – Whole Dog Journal, increased access to water and more frequent urination can help naturally increase urine pH in dogs with low pH levels.
Prognosis
The prognosis for low urine pH in dogs depends on the underlying cause. In cases of simple dietary issues, the prognosis is good once the diet is adjusted to help normalize urine pH. With prompt treatment for metabolic disorders, infections, or other medical conditions causing acidic urine, the prognosis is often positive.
For recurring or chronic cases of low urine pH, the prognosis depends on the ability to manage symptoms and prevent complications through medications, supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes. While low urine pH can often be managed well with treatment, cases that do not respond to treatment or have an underlying condition that cannot be cured may have a guarded prognosis. Regular veterinary monitoring and followup testing helps ensure dogs with low urine pH are properly managed.
Overall, the prognosis for low urine pH in dogs is often favorable when the underlying cause is identified and properly treated. With dedicated management of the condition, most dogs can live comfortably despite having persistently acidic urine.
Prevention
There are several steps dog owners can take to help prevent low urine pH in their pets:
Get annual vet checkups to monitor kidney health. The vet can run tests to assess kidney function and watch for any changes over time. Early detection of potential kidney issues allows for earlier treatment and prevention of complications like low urine pH (cite url).
Avoid exposing dogs to toxins and unhealthy foods. Things like antifreeze, heavy metals, grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, and avocados can damage kidneys. Keeping dogs away from these items reduces kidney stress (cite url).
Ensure adequate hydration. Making fresh, clean water abundantly available encourages drinking. Consider adding water to dry kibble or switching to wet food to increase moisture intake. Dogs with kidney issues may need increased fluids, so follow vet recommendations (cite url).
