Managing Your Dog's pH Balance: Recognising and Treating Acidity

Did you know the pH level of your dog’s blood is a key indicator of their overall health? A balanced pH is crucial for many bodily functions, while an overly acidic body can lead to various health issues.

The Impact of Chronic Acidosis

An imbalanced pH in dogs, especially when it becomes chronic, can lead to serious health issues. When there’s an excess of acid, the body’s natural buffering systems, such as bicarbonates, can become overwhelmed. This results in acids being absorbed into the bloodstream, where they can cause metabolic disruptions and affect organs like the kidneys and heart. Over time, the body may even start depleting its mineral reserves to rebalance itself, which can weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures in extreme cases.

While the intestines play a central role in pH regulation, other organs like the kidneys, skin, and lungs also help manage acidity. When the body’s natural buffering is compromised, rebalancing the pH quickly is important to prevent further health complications.

The optimal pH balance

Your veterinarian can measure your dog’s blood pH through a blood test. A value below 7.36 indicates acidity. A healthy pH balance is typically maintained through proper diet and regular activity, but any disruption in this balance can impact your dog’s health. Occasional testing is a simple way to keep track of any shifts in pH.

Recognising the Signs of Acidity

A well-known phenomenon here is “licky fits.” The dog gasps to swallow and compulsively licks objects. This is a clear symptom of heartburn that can develop as a result of excess acid. The dog tries to relieve the heartburn by gasping for air and licking. In addition, there are other symptoms, such as:

• eating grass and dirt
• excessive salivation
• hiccups
• heartburn
• itching
• teary eyes
• lip eczema
• hot spots
• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhoea
• fever
• breathing unusually fast or deeply
• heart arrhythmia
• depressed behaviour
• low blood pressure

If your dog shows these signs, it could be due to a pH imbalance and may need dietary or lifestyle adjustments.

Common Causes of Acidity in Dogs

Hyperacidity can stem from a range of causes, including:

• Health conditions affecting organs like the pancreas, kidneys, liver or thyroid gland
• Medications
• Chronic gastritis
• Eating inappropriate foods, such as snow or grass
• Food intolerances
• Stress, which triggers acid production

If there is an underlying disease, it would have to be treated accordingly. If there is no clinical cause found, you should take a closer look at your dog’s diet as this can also play a part.

Meat and dairy provide essential proteins, but too much protein can increase acidity. Monitoring the diet composition is essential, especially for dogs with specific dietary needs.

Stress is also a common factor since the organism is out of balance and produces more acids, which cannot be completely balanced due to the compromised reserves.

Restoring Your Dog's pH Balance Naturally

There are several steps you can take to help restore your dog’s pH balance:

1. Support Gastrointestinal Health

First and foremost, the gastrointestinal tract should be treated and the mucous membrane rebuilt. A healthy gastrointestinal system helps prevent further imbalances. Intestinal cures are the first measure when other diseases are excluded as the cause.

Intestinal cleanses, such as those with Moor Mud, are excellent for gut health as they support the body with valuable nutrients as well as supporting your dog’s intestinal activity and immune system. The organic mass contains a unique composition of ingredients that can only be found in Moor Mud You might also add prebiotics like Jerusalem Artichoke, rich in inulin, which nourishes beneficial gut bacteria. Inulin, an indigestible fibre that contributes to your dog's natural intestinal lining. In this way you can naturally support the mucous membrane and provide food for healthy intestinal bacteria.

2. Adjusting the Diet

In the case of acute acidosis, we recommend feeding the dog home-cooked food for a while and increasing the frequency of the meals.

• Lean meats
• Leafy greens to balance acid
• Bitter greens, which support digestion
• Low-gas vegetables (avoid cabbage)
• Smaller, more frequent meals (at least three times a day)
• Rest when eating, avoid distractions so that the dog does not get stressed
• reduce general stress

Ensure a calm feeding environment, as stress can increase acidity.

For raw-fed dogs, reviewing and potentially revising meal plans with a veterinarian or pet nutrition expert can ensure proper balance. AniForte's team can also help create to create tailored raw feeding plan.  (just email us at hello@aniforte.co.uk)

In acute cases, the vet can give the dog intravenous fluids to rebalance the acid ratio.

3. Fruits and Vegetables to Balance Acidity

As with humans, the dog's acid balance can be balanced with foods that counteract the acids. Salads, fruit and vegetables are the best acid killers here - even for dogs. Here is a list of foods that compensate for excess acidity in dogs and are of course well tolerated by most dogs:

• Greens and herbs: basil, dill, iceberg lettuce, dandelion (also contains a lot of bitter substances), coriander, parsley, sage, leafy greens.
• Fruits: apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, raspberries, plums
• Vegetables: cucumber, carrots, spinach, zucchini, potato

Feed these foods in moderation as supplements to lean meats, which should remain the primary source of protein.

If you notice that your dog’s symptoms are worsening when changing the food, you should definitely consult a specialist you trust.