Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Urine pH measures how acidic or alkaline urine is. In dogs and cats it varies with diet and time of day, and is often roughly in the range of 6 to 7.5. Alkaline urine can favor struvite crystals and may occur with some urinary infections, while acidic urine can favor calcium oxalate. A single pH reading isn’t very meaningful on its own, and home test strips are often inaccurate. Your vet interprets pH alongside the rest of the urinalysis.
What affects urine pH
- Diet (meat-based diets tend to make urine more acidic)
- Time since the last meal
- Urinary infections with certain bacteria
- Some medications and kidney conditions
Link to stones
- Struvite: forms more in alkaline urine
- Calcium oxalate: forms more in acidic urine
- Prescription urinary diets balance these risks
Why not to adjust pH at home
- Home strips can be inaccurate
- Acidifying supplements or vinegar can promote other stone types
- Treatment depends on the actual stone or crystal type
See a vet for
- Straining, frequent urination, or blood in urine
- Crystals on a urine test
More: pet urine color and urinary diets.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Urinalysis
- Lulich JP, et al. ACVIM small animal consensus recommendations on the treatment and prevention of uroliths in dogs and cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2016
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.