Most pets these days are not eating a species appropriate diet. “Species appropriate diet” is the current buzz word to say our dogs and cats need to eat meat. Instead most pets eat foods based on corn and other byproducts of the human food industry. Don’t get me wrong, I love sweetcorn, but the corn in petfood is what is no longer acceptable to sell to livestock owners at the grain co-op. Corn is used as a protein source in our pets foods. I do not eat corn for protein, do you?
So why should our dogs and cats eat food using corn for protein? And, what is the side effect of eating too much corn and not enough real meat? Our dogs and cats have a urine pH that is not acid enough. Our dogs and cats who eat meat as their number one protein source have nice acid urine. Acid inhibits bacterial growth. So if for some reason one of our pets gets a little bacteria in their bladder, normal acid urine will can kill that bacteria. But if our dog or cat is eating a food based on corn, the bacteria does not die; instead the conditions are right for bacterial growth. If the bacteria stay there for long, crystals form salt around the bacteria and make crystals (struvite). If these crystals build long enough, they can get so big as to block male cat or become a stone needing surgical removal.
Prescription diets that help prevent bladder problems acidify the urine through the use of chemicals. Why not do it naturally with food? So, feed meat to our dogs and cats – either a raw diet or a diet of balanced cooked food. Keep the urine acid, not too acid, and prevent bacterial overgrowth.
Dear Cathy;
Thanks for this article. My Moose (female) 13 years developed a staph infection about 1 year ago. She was treated with one round of antibiotics. I then went to my holistic vet who has put her on 4-5 different products for crystals/small stones that have aggravated her bladder a bit (blood in urine). She has been on a meat based diet, no grains for most of her life. She get probiotics, enzymes, joint support and 1500 mg of Vitamin C. This started happening when she was switched to SOJO food with first ingredient of sweet potato. I have changed her food again but cannot get her Ph below 7. I bought your book a few days ago and am very excited to put all my four legged babies (2 dogs, 7 cats) on these great recipes but I do have one concern. Your recipes include grains (rice, spaghetti etc.) and I am concerned about grains causing more inflammation. She has a bit of arthritis. Can I substitute these grains/or should I? with maybe more beans (protein) or meat? I am not sure where they would find corn, rice, wheat, flour in the wild. Is it the starch, is it the flour and sugar that are causing us all to have so many issues with inflammation.
Hi Betsy!! Looks like you found me two places. I will cross-post because I think your question is very important. Grains are in the recipes for calories. So, you will have to add more calorie rich foods to make up for the grains you will take out. Great substitutions usually are sweet potato or quinoa (a whole food seed prepared after soaking). But, your girl has some special needs going on and I’d avoid higher carb veggies like the sweet potato. Beans and lentils will work nicely. To get pH lower, you may need to check her oral pH too. If they are both too alkaline, consider adding something for stomach acid production – like Betaine. It can be a challenge to get that pH down. Cranberry supplements can help too. I’ve read pros and cons with vitamin C supplements – some are just a ton of sugar to make them sweet and counter productive. Amazon.com has oral pH strips so you can test at home. Let me know if I’ve left anything out.