Madeleine Hull
Dogs can experience digestive issues, acid reflux, fevers, and vomiting when fed a diet that is highly acidic. Acidifying agents should be used carefully as excessive levels can lead to metabolic acidosis. To avoid this, some dog owners opt for an alkaline-based diet, which is primarily plant-based and avoids sugar, dairy, wheat, and other high-gluten grains. This type of diet is said to put more oxygen in the blood, minimize cellular degeneration, settle digestive upsets, and reduce scratching. Alkaline-based diets for dogs include ingredients such as apples, potatoes, alfalfa, kelp, and parsley.
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What You'll Learn
Alkaline diets for dogs
An alkaline diet for dogs is a style of eating that measures and takes into consideration the pH of food. To be considered an alkaline food, the pH of the food must be higher than 7. The pH level is one of the most important balance systems of the body. Fluids in the body function to provide digestion, lubrication, protection, nutrients, and oxygen transportation. Overall levels of acidity or alkalinity are measured on a pH scale and must be carefully controlled in each body.
The body functions on a variety of pH levels. Many of the most important sections of the body require alkalinity for proper function. These include the brain, saliva, heart, tissue, liver, pancreas, and intestines. The sweet spot for dogs is a pH level of 7.1-7.4. If your dog’s pH is in this golden area, it’s health is at its best possible state.
Alkaline-promoting foods are staples in the diet, while acidic foods with a pH lower than 5.2, like beef, pork, eggs, wheat, and blueberries, are excluded from their products entirely. Foods that may increase dietary alkaline levels include apples, celery, bananas, beans, potatoes, alfalfa, and broccoli. Natural apple cider vinegar, unsweetened cranberry juice, and vegetable juices can also increase dietary alkaline levels. In addition to the vegetables, your dog’s body will benefit from a raw food diet that includes bones and organ and muscle meat. You can supplement the meat with greens, such as kale, parsley, romaine, spinach, or spirulina algae, to further boost its alkaline level.
Canine Caviar, the first and only alkaline dog food producer, strongly advocates feeding your pets alkaline-promoting foods for their incredible healing properties. By feeding your dog foods that are above 7 on the pH scale, like kelp, parsley, and alfalfa, you are promoting a proper pH balance in their body, leading to good health and natural healing. The fluid in a dog’s body is slightly alkaline, and if pH levels of their blood, lymph, and cerebral spinal fluid reach an acidic level, dogs risk contracting degenerative diseases in the tissue.
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Acidic foods to avoid
If your dog is struggling with acidic foods, you should consult your vet. They may suggest an alkaline-based diet, which takes into consideration the pH of food. To be considered an alkaline food, the pH of the food must be higher than 7.
Some foods that are considered safe for dogs and can be implemented into their diets to promote an alkaline diet include apples, celery, bananas, beans, potatoes, alfalfa, and broccoli. You can also add alkaline-based foods to your dog's current food, such as apples, potatoes, and alfalfa.
If your dog is prone to acid reflux, softer dog foods are a good alternative. Soft foods decrease the amount of work their digestive enzymes must do to digest their food. Fresh food may also be more palpable for a dog that is struggling with their appetite after a bout of acid reflux.
Some foods that can cause acid reflux in dogs include:
- Oily or spicy foods
- Foods with allergens and preservatives
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Lemons, oranges, and limes
- Lemonade and other acidic drinks
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Supplements to acidify urine
The ideal urine pH for dogs is between 7.0 and 7.5. If your dog has a urine pH level higher than this, it may be beneficial to acidify their urine to prevent issues such as struvite crystals, bladder stones, and infections.
Urinary acidifiers such as Vetoquinol Methigel can help to promote normal bladder and urinary function, prevent crystal formation, and maintain a low pH level in your dog's urine. This gel supplement can be added directly to your dog's food or placed on their nose to stimulate taste interest. It is designed to be used in conjunction with prescription food and has been found to be effective, especially for older dogs.
It is important to note that chronic urine acidification can be harmful and should only be implemented after a complete evaluation by a veterinarian. Additionally, some sources claim that apple cider vinegar alkalizes the urine instead of acidifying it, so further research and consultation with a veterinarian is necessary before administering any supplements.
Meat products can also help to acidify urine, while a diet high in citrus fruits, vegetables, or dairy products will increase the alkalinity of the urine. Adjusting your dog's diet to acidify their urine should be done gradually and with the guidance of a veterinarian, as extreme changes in pH levels can have significant impacts on your dog's health.
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Commercial diets for acidifying urine
Some commercial diets that have been studied for their effects on urinary pH in dogs include the S/O diet and the u/d diet. The S/O diet was found to significantly decrease urinary pH, while the u/d diet induced a more durable postprandial alkaline tide due to the presence of the alkalizing agent calcium carbonate.
There are also some commercially available alkaline dog food brands, such as Canine Caviar, that promote the use of alkaline-based diets for dogs. These diets focus on feeding dogs foods with a pH above 7, such as kelp, parsley, and alfalfa, to promote a proper pH balance in their bodies. Canine Caviar offers several products that are said to support a strict alkaline dog diet, including their Limited Ingredient Diet Open Meadow Holistic Entrée Dry Dog Food and their 97% Salmon Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Supplement.
It is important to note that while some dogs may benefit from an alkaline-based diet, especially those with sensitive digestive tracts, others may struggle with acidic foods. If your dog is having difficulty digesting their food or any acidic treats, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.
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Natural ways to acidify urine
While having a slightly acidic body urine is normal and necessary to prevent the growth of bacteria, having highly acidic urine is now thought to be less effective at restricting bacterial growth in the urinary tract and can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, it is beneficial to keep your urine pH neutral. Here are some natural ways to acidify your urine:
Diet
Changing your diet is the easiest way to make your urine alkaline. Eating the right kinds of vegetables, fruits, protein, and carbs will be a great start. A vegetable-rich diet is a great way to decrease the pH of urine. Some vegetables that can help are corn, white beans, and salads. You can also eat non-citrus fruits, proteins, and carbs. Citrus fruits will have an alkalizing effect on urine despite being acidic. With the exception of lemons, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalizing effect in the system.
Drink Cranberry Juice
Drinking 12 ounces of cranberry juice per day may be an effective treatment to acidify your urine.
Drink Cola
Ask your doctor whether drinking cola would be a sensible way to acidify your urine.
Take Betaine as a Supplement
Betaine is an amino acid available as a dietary supplement from health and nutrition stores. Taking a 650 mg supplement three times a day with meals has been shown to acidify urine. You can also try eating foods such as beets, broccoli, grains (wheat bran or quinoa), and spinach. These are relatively high in betaine, but you will need to eat several servings each day to get enough of the amino acid.
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Frequently asked questions
An acidifying dog diet is a diet that uses therapeutic foods or supplements to lower the pH level of a dog's urine, keeping it within a healthy acidic range.
A dog might need an acidifying diet if they are suffering from a condition that can be treated by urinary pH manipulation, such as urolithiasis.
An overly alkaline diet can cause crystals to form in a dog's urine, which can lead to kidney stones and other serious health issues.
Ingredients that can be used to acidify a dog's diet include calcium sulphate, l-methionine, dl-methionine, and ammonium chloride.
