How does the urine pH level affect the risk of struvite stone formation in cats?

The acidity of urine in cats is in normal condition when it is slightly acidic (6.5-7). Urine pH is directly related to the composition of the diet and can be in the range from 5.5 to 7.5. An alkaline or acidic reaction of urine is a favorable factor for the formation of uroliths of various types. Increased acidity in cat’s urine - pH value above 7.0 - promotes the active formation of struvites.

Factors that can increase urine pH:

1. Unbalanced diet.

Deficiency of certain nutrients, particularly sulfur-containing amino acids (such as methionine), can lead to increased urine pH.

2. Urinary tract infections.

There are bacteria that provoke infections and produce urease, a special enzyme. The level of ammonia in the urine is increased because of this, and its acid-base balance shifts towards alkali.

3. Kidney diseases.

In animals with kidney failure, the acid-base balance in the urine is disrupted, and cause of that it becomes higher.

Struvite stones are formed when the pH of the urine changes and the concentration of magnesium, phosphorus and ammonia increases. But the formation of stones is also influenced by other circumstances: the presence of a genetic predisposition, the structure of the urinary tract, etc.

The pH level of a cat's urine and the composition of trace elements in its diet are closely related. Knowing the concentration of key elements, you can estimate the approximate pH level. This will help you to choose the optimal nutrition for your cat.

One of the main factors when choosing food is the effect of proteins on the acid-base balance in the pet's body. It is also important to remember that a variety of protein sources in the diet is beneficial for the health of the urinary system.

As a rule, proteins found in meat and fish decrease the pH level of urine. This happens because more sulfuric acid is formed during their processing. Sulfuric acid appears when sulfur-containing amino acids - methionine and cysteine - are oxidized. The amount of these amino acids is greater in products of animal origin. Therefore, if there is a lot of animal protein in the diet, more sulfuric acid is excreted in the urine, and the pH level decreases.

The pH of the cat's urine is increased if there are plant proteins in its diet, which can increase the pH of the urine due to the low content of sulfur-containing amino acids. This is especially dangerous for cats, that are predisposed to the formation of stones in the urinary tract.

It is important to monitor the balance of animal and vegetable proteins in the cat's diet to maintain the health of your pet. Food with a high content of animal protein helps to maintain a more acidic urine environment, which has a positive effect on health.

Urine pH in cats can be effectively predicted using the cation-anion balance (CAB) index, which takes into account the intake of certain cations and anions in the diet. It is shown by the researches that urine pH is influenced by the balance of these ions in the diet.

Cations: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) shift the pH of urine towards the alkaline side.

Anions: phosphorus (P), chlorine (Cl) and sulfur (S) (sulfur-containing amino acids: methionine and cysteine) — towards the acidic side.

The CAB index is calculated using the formula:

CAB (mmol/100 g Dry matter) = 50*Ca + 82*Mg + 43*Na + 26*K – 65*P –28*Cl – 64*S

Urine pH is calculated using the formula:

pH = (CAB * 0.021) + 6.72

This calculation allows us to determine the probable pH level of urine based on the composition of the diet. However, it is necessary to take into account individual differences in metabolism and the health status of each individual cat, which may affect the accuracy of the forecast. The actual urine pH level can also be influenced by additional factors: the state of the urinary track system or concomitant cystitis.

The dissolution of struvite stones occurs at a urine pH of 6.2-6.5.

The optimal pH range for preventing the formation of stones is 6.6–6.8.

With the help of a routine urine analysis, the owner can monitor the health of the cat. Today, this is an important part of responsible pet care.

You can do the test at a veterinary clinic or first collect a urine sample yourself.

It is best to collect samples in the morning before feeding for the most accurate determination of urine pH. Morning urine typically has a lower pH because the kidneys are in a minimal filtration mode at night and the urine becomes more concentrated. A cat's urine pH will be higher if the sample was collected within the first 2-6 hours after feeding. It is also important to ensure that the animal is calm during urine collection.

In order for the test results to be informative, it is also necessary to store the sample correctly. Urine should be placed in a special container and transferred to the laboratory no later than two hours after collection. If this is not possible, the sample can be stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 24 hours.

It is important to remember that only a veterinarian can make an accurate conclusion about the health of your pet based on the pH level, urine density and other data and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Veterinarians use diet therapy to prevent the formation of struvite stones and dissolve existing ones. This method is based on adjusting the pH of urine by changing the composition of the diet. Acidification of urine significantly increases the solubility of struvites and in some cases may be sufficient for their dissolution.

Various supplements or diets are used to acidify urine. Many therapeutic diets are designed taking into account low magnesium and phosphorus levels and acidification of urine, which is extremely important for the dissolution of struvites.

Acidifying components such as DL-methionine, ammonium chloride, calcium sulfate dihydrate, and phosphoric acid are usually used to achieve the desired pH level. Studies show that highly acidifying diets significantly decrease the urine pH.

Specially formulated acidifying diets can effectively maintain urine pH below 6.5, which helps to prevent the formation of struvite crystals. Diet plays an important role in maintaining optimal urine pH, and proper nutrition helps to prevent and treat urinary tract problems in cats.

Elato Holistic Vet Special Urinary dietary food was developed by veterinarians and nutritionists to support the health of cats with problems in the lower urinary tract. This food helps to dissolve struvite stones and reduces the risk of their recurrence.

The probable urine pH when calculating the catione-anion balance of Elato Holistic Vet Special Urinary feed = 6.3.