The ideal urine pH should be 7–7.5 in dogs or 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.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Patricia M. Dowling, DVM,MSc, DACVIM, DACVCP