How to Lower the pH of Cat Urine

Reviewed by Natalie Punt, DVM

Last Updated: August 28, 2024 Approved

Cats’ urine is naturally a little acidic, with an average pH value of around 6.0–6.5.^{[1]
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Research source} If their urine becomes too alkaline, the cat may be at risk for a variety of urinary illnesses, often grouped under the umbrella category of feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD). Struvite urinary crystals are a particular risk, with urinary blockage being a life threatening emergency needing immediate veterinary treatment. Lowering urine pH can often dissolve a cat's remaining struvite bladder crystals. To lower the cat’s urinary pH, feed it wet (eg canned) food, and make sure that it’s drinking plenty of water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Altering Your Cat’s Diet

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1
Feed your cat several small meals during the day. Giving your cat a single large meal every day will boost the alkalinity of their urine. To avoid this, plan to feed your cat 4–6 small meals throughout the day. This will even out their body’s intake of nutrients and calories, and should prevent a spike in the cat’s pH alkalinity.^{[2]
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- For example, give your cat a small scoop of food at 8am before you leave for work and another at 5pm when you get home. Then give the cat 2 more scoops of food later in the day, around 7pm and 10pm.
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Give your cat wet food instead of dry food (kibble). In nature, cats get the majority of their water from the food they eat. Domestic cats are healthiest—and have the best urinary tract health—when they also receive plenty of hydration through their food. If you currently feed you cat kibble, switch the dry food out for a high-quality wet food.
- For comparison, kibble contains from 6–10% water, semi-moist food contains about 35%, while wet food contains at least 75% water.^{[3]
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- Wet food supports kidney and urinary health in cats, due to the extra moisture content^{[4]
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Dampen your cat’s kibble if they’re resistant to eating wet food. Cats are notoriously picky eaters, and it can take time for a cat to change their diet. If your cat doesn’t take to the wet food right away, you can add more water content to its dry food to get the cat used to a wetter meal. Scoop up a handful of water, and use your fingers to sprinkle it over the bowl of dry kibble.
- Cats that will not or cannot eat wet food may have water given to them via a syringe^{[5]
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- To further entice your cat, try sprinkling the water from canned tuna over their dry food instead of using tap water.
- Use this technique as a way to transition your cat from kibble to wet food.
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Transition your cat to their new diet over a period of weeks. Switching your cat from 1 type of diet to another overnight will upset your cat’s stomach if you. Instead, take a period of 4–6 weeks to gradually transition your cat from their current diet to the new one. Begin switching foods by serving your cat a mixture of 75% old food and 25% new food. Gradually increase the ratio of new food, until your cat is eating 100% new.
- Make sure that your cat is eating a normal amount of food during the transition process.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Increasing Your Cat’s Hydration

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1
Place 3–4 additional bowls of water around your home. A major component of lowering your cat’s urinary pH is keeping them well hydrated. If you only have 1 water bowl, your cat may find it inconvenient to drink often. So, place additional water bowls around your home to make it easy for your cat to drink often. Aim for 1 bowl in every room of your house (living space, kitchen, bedroom, etc.).
- Remember to keep the water in all of the bowls fresh. Refill the water daily.^{[6]
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- Consider purchasing a fountain for your cat to drink from.^{[7]
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  Research source} They are more apt to drink from moving water placed away from the eating area, which will increase water intake.
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Watch your cat’s litter box for increased urination. As your cat increases its hydration, it will start to urinate more often. Check its litter box at the end of each day. The number of urine clumps should be greater than before you increased your cat’s hydration. So, if you notice that your cat has begun to urinate 2 or 3 times as often as they used to, it’s a good sign that their hydration has increased and their urinary pH is low.
- If your cat is on wet (eg canned) food and drinking plenty of water, but their urination hasn’t increased, talk to your veterinarian.
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Discuss your cat’s urinary health with your vet. Your vet may have specific recommendations to make about ways to lower your cat’s urinary pH, including dietary changes that you can make. They’ll be able to advise you as to the best type of food for your cat to eat, and how to switch foods. If your cat shows signs of FLUTD, describe the symptoms to the vet and ask how you can help your cat return to health.
- The vet may prescribe medication to clear up your cat’s urinary tract problems.
- You can talk to your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to ensure you are giving your cat healthy food.^{[8]
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- Usually, a high protein diet is suitable for cats.^{[9]
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- You can use a variety of brands and flavors to provide nutrition instead of relying on one company.^{[10]
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Ask the vet to measure your cat’s urinary pH. Your cat’s urine should be measured for pH as soon as it’s evacuated from the animal’s bladder. For this reason, the urinary pH needs to be measured in the vet’s office. The vet may use a catheter to do obtain a urine sample. Once the vet has measured the pH, they’ll be able to inform you as to whether its alkalinity is too high or not.^{[11]
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- It would be ineffective to collect a urine sample from your cat while at home, and then bring the sample to your vet later in the day.

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What measure of pH is too high for a cat? My cat's alkaline level seems high.

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A pH of 6.6 or above is considered too high.

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A vet may suggest temporarily lowering acidity to 6-6.3 pH to help dissolve struvite crystals in cats, but this can cause calcium oxalate stones over time^{[12]
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Cats with a high urine alkalinity (low urine acidity e.g. urine pH over 6.6) are at higher risk for developing struvite crystals in their urine, which lead to the formation of potentially life-threatening bladder stones.^{[14]
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Cats with a high urine acidity (e.g. urine pH under 6.0) are a risk of forming calcium oxalate bladder stones, which can be life threatening and may require surgery.^{[15]
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