Normal Feline Urine PH

A cat on a natural carnivorous diet has slightly acidic urine.

Urine pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the urine on a scale of 1 to 14. A pH of seven is neutral, while lower numbers indicate acidity and higher numbers indicate alkalinity. According to Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education.com, a normal cat's urine pH is usually slightly acidic, with a range of 5.5 to 7.

Features

Healthy adult cats usually have a urine pH of 5.5 to 7.0, although variations might occur even in healthy cats. According to Pet Health and Care, a cat owner should aim for his cat to have a urine pH of between 6.0 and 6.5, because pH levels above or below this range could result in the formation of crystals in the urinary tract.

Identification

Identification of the pH of feline urine involves a process called urinalysis. Pet owners can obtain a urine sample for analysis from a clean litter box with non-absorbent litter. A veterinarian can obtain a more sterile sample through a urinary catheter or a procedure called cystocentesis, in which the vet inserts a needle into the bladder and extracts urine. Analysis of urine sample could involve observation, chemical analysis and inspection through a microscope. Urinalysis can reveal the characteristics of a cat's urine, including pH, concentration, glucose level and bacterial presence.

Considerations

A cat's urine pH fluctuates due to factors such as stress and excitement. When a cat suffers stress, its nerves and glands become more active, increasing its metabolism and lowering urine pH. In contrast, anxiety could cause excessive panting and increase a cat's urine pH. For example, a trip from home to the veterinarian could increase a cat's urine pH. The level of pH also tends to be lower immediately after eating. In effect, abnormal levels of urine pH might not indicate a health condition.

Significance

If a cat's urine pH levels are too high or too low, crystals might form in its bladder or urethra, causing irritation, bleeding, infection or blockage, according to the Pet Health & Care website. The cat might cry during urination, avoid using the litter box or pass bloody urine.

Prevention/Solution

According to the Pet Health & Care website, abnormal pH levels might be caused by a poor diet. Cats, carnivorous animals by nature, have slightly acidic urine on a natural diet. To achieve similar levels of urine pH, cat food manufacturers might add acidifying agents. The Max's House Animal Rescue website recommends regular meals consisting of slightly acidifying food for feline urinary health. A cat should have access to water at all times to ensure adequate water intake and frequent urination, which will dilute the urine and prevent crystals from forming.

References

• "The Journal of Nutrition"; Feline Reference Values for Urine Composition; Y. H. Cottam, et al.; June 2002
• Pet Health & Care: How can I Make Sure That My Cat’s Urine pH Level Is Fine Without Taking Him to the Vet?
• Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education.com: Urinalysis: Testing a Urine Sample
• Max's House Animal Rescue: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease; Chris C. Pinney