MSD Manual

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Professional Version

Controlling Urine pH

By

Patricia M. Dowling

, DVM, MSc, DACVIM, DACVCP, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2015 | Modified Nov 2022

The ideal urine pH should be 7.0–7.5 in dogs and 6.3–6.6 in cats. If the urine pH remains below these values after diet modification, potassium citrate at 80–150 mg/kg/day, PO, divided bid-tid, can be given to increase the pH. Ammonium chloride (200 mg/kg/day, PO, divided tid) and dl-methionine (1,000–1,500 mg/cat/day, PO) are the urinary acidifiers of choice. Chronic urine acidification, and ensuing acidosis, can be harmful and should not be instituted without complete evaluation of the animal.

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