pH SHOULD BE ?

Fang takes Carpon to dissolve his struvite crystals and is doing fine. I have finally ordered some PH stripes so that I can measure his PH. I am not sure what it should be. Normal, on the site, is 6.5 to 7.5, I think. does that mean his should be below 6.5?, or should it be in the normal range?

It should be 6.5-7.5, yes. My vet likes to see the pH at 7.0. Anywhere in the 6.5-7.5 range is fine though.... So, 6.4 is too low, 7.6 is too high.

For a cat, I believe 6.0-6.5 is good...6.2-6.4 would be close to "perfect".

Hmmmm Natalie and I posted at the same time and with different answers.

OK, now I am confused, I got two different answers. Maybe the question should be, what is a good PH to discourage the development of struvite crystals, and if it is acidic, is it good to continue long term in an acidic condition?

I have always had the same information as Beandip. A cat's urine should be between 6.0-6.5. Urine is supposed to be acidic.

a pH of 7 is neutral, anything over 7 is basic and way too high, for urine.

Perhaps you should call your vet! Mine said that 7.0 is fine....

Originally Posted by gailuvscats

OK, now I am confused, I got two different answers. Maybe the question should be, what is a good PH to discourage the development of struvite crystals, and if it is acidic, is it good to continue long term in an acidic condition?

Click to expand...

For your first question, I still believe that's 6.0-6.5. This article agrees with that

http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=2729

The rx struvite diets shoot for 6.2-6.4 AFAIK so that's why I said that would be the most "perfect" range.

To my knowledge, keeping it above 6.0 keeps kitty out of the calcium oxalate crystal range so yes, for a struvite prone cat to be in the 6.0-6.5 range long term is fine.

Mine also said 7.0 was excellent. Of course, Pippin has both kinds of crystals so we have to do a balancing act. Too acidic and he forms calcium oxylate, too alkaline and he forms struvite. I think if he only has the struvite, you are supposed to go more acidic.
You may want to ask your vet what range she/he wants you to aim for.

Devlyn

Just google feline uring pH and you will get a plethora of articles stating the optimal range as being 6.0-6.5. Below 6.0 it becomes too acidic and calcium oxalate crystals can form.

her is another article to support Beandips information from
http://www.felineinstincts.com/artic...formation.html


"Studies have shown that the urine pH plays an important part in preventing the formation of struvite crystals. Cats with these crystals have been found to have a high alkaline urine pH. (6.6 or higher) Another type, calcium oxalate crystallization, can occur in cases of an over acidic urine pH.(below 6.0) It is recommended to maintain a urine pH is between 6.0 - 6.5 to prevent crystal formation.

It is important to realize that though struvite crystals are a potentially deadly symptom. Maintaining a proper urine pH will help to prevent the formation of crystals, but does little to help fight off infection and promote healing. "

Thank you for the links.they were very informative. Now I just have to get Fang to pee on a stick.

My vet stated 6.0 was perfect .. 6.0-6.5 being the target ... 7 is neutral but not a great idea for MOST cats

I posted a similar question a month back or so. There may be some more useful info in this thread.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=127561

Originally Posted by beandip

For a cat, I believe 6.0-6.5 is good...6.2-6.4 would be close to "perfect

Click to expand...

I have always read that 6.0-6.5 is "normal". This is the range my vet likes to see. Yes, a cat's urine should be on the acidic side.

One more web site to consider.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/FLUTD.htm

I have a large neutered longhair yellow Tabby that passes a bit of blood occasionally.  I tested it when he peed in the bath tub and it was 5  !  That seems a bit too acid to me.  We take baking soda daily to stay around 7 and I run 6.5 without it. (cancer doesn't do well in basic urine)  I suppose humans are different and cats get lots of protein.  Opinions, please.  Keith williams

6.0-6.5. One vet I talked to said 7.0 was OK, but I got the feeling that ideally it should be around 6.5 to be safe if your kitty has had struvites.

When you test be aware that urine pH fluctuates widely throughout the day. My kitty tests around 6.5 with occasional blips at 6.0 and 7.0. Try to get midstream urine.

Ritz developed sturvite crystals at around pH level 7 or 7.5.

I would imagine there is some variance depending on your cat's definition of 'normal'.

Recently her pH had been hovering around 6.5 which, as my vet said, is high for a cat fed raw (as I do).  (A high protein diet acts as a natural acidifier.)

Last week I took her to the vets for a suspected UTI.  Turns out she does have a UTI  but it is bacteria in nature, and her pH is now 6.  The vet said 6.0 is fine.  I personally would not want it any lower because, while sturvite crystals are serious, they can be controlled by diet.  Oxalate crystals cannot and only surgery can get them out.

Cat food companies also have target urine pH numbers. They tend to be 6.2-6.5. A few go for 6.0 or higher than 6.5.

What I would like to know is what kind of measure are you guys using? I just have the strips from a medical supply & don't see how I could ever find out if it's 6.4 or 6.2. On mine it's either red 2.0, orange 4.0, yellow 6.0, green 8.0 or blue 10.0. Trying to estimate what the value is is very hard for me.

When I was feeding dry, my male had something on his pee area, I took him to the vet & they told me he had crystals in his bladder. So of course I got the prescription food to help. I immediately stopped the dry & kept testing him every time he peed, his urine got more acidic so I stopped the prescription food & it stayed. I then started incorporating raw food at least once a day & his ph maintained. 

My cat had a freak out a couple days ago so I started researching & one of the symptoms was urinary issues. So I tested him & it was green, I can't even estimate because the numbers go from 6 yellow to 8 being dark green. It was lighter green but with a hint of yellow. It definitely wasn't 8 or maybe it was since I have to figure out if the colors on a wet piece of paper match colors that are on a plastic curved bottle. Lame.

This post is so old, I hope someone sees my reply!

There are strips that are more sensitive.  I found these on Amazon  

Excellent! Thank you very much