Acidosis in dogs

Have you ever heard of the pH value? It is not only important for cosmetic creams or chemical solutions, but is also a key indicator of the acidity of the blood. This works not only for humans but also for dogs and provides information about the body's acid-base balance. If the four-legged friend's organism is over-acidified, this can lead to health problems.

Effects of prolonged acidosis

A disturbed acid-base balance in dogs should not be taken lightly, especially not if the acidosis has become chronic. If there is an excess of acids in the dog's body over a long period of time, this can cause serious physical problems.

The intestine plays an important role in this process: if the intestinal mucosa is damaged and not strong enough, the acids produced can pass into the blood. This distributes them throughout the body, where the acids can then build up. So-called buffer systems such as (bi-)carbonates are disrupted or not sufficiently present and cannot cope with the excess acids. As a result, the pH value in the blood drops and the dog's acid-base balance is disturbed.

These acids affect the dog's metabolism and electrolyte balance. They can even damage the kidneys and heart. The organism also draws on reserves of minerals to balance the acid-base balance. This leads to demineralization of the bones. The breakdown of minerals causes the bone structure to change and become softer. Increased bone fractures are the result. However, this only occurs with long-term, untreated hyperacidity and is rather rare.

Even though the gut plays an important role, if not the most important, other organs such as the kidneys, skin and lungs also help to regulate the acid balance. It is therefore important to quickly rebalance an over-acidified organism.

Optimal acid-base balance in dogs

You can have the pH value of the blood measured by your vet or veterinary practitioner using a blood test; if it is below 7.36, this is referred to as an acidic pH value of the blood. The lower the value, the higher the acidity in the organism.

Acids are positively and negatively charged in the body, both in humans and dogs, and these must be present in a balanced ratio. Sufficient physical activity and a species-appropriate diet normally regulate this process and keep the acid-base balance in equilibrium. If there is a disturbance, this can have an impact on health. It therefore does no harm to occasionally have this quick and simple test carried out on your dog.

Symptoms of acidosis in dogs

The symptoms of acidosis in dogs go hand in hand. They complement each other and develop over the course of the acidosis. One well-known phenomenon is licky fits. The dog gasps for air in order to swallow it and licks objects compulsively. This is a clear symptom of heartburn, which can develop as a result of excess acidity. By gasping for air and licking, the four-legged friend tries to alleviate the heartburn. Other symptoms also occur.

Typical symptoms of acidosis are

• Eating grass and soil
• Excessive salivation
• regurgitation
• heartburn
• itching
• tearing of the eyes
• lip eczema
• Hot spots
• vomiting
• Nausea
• diarrhea
• fever
• Abnormally rapid or deep breathing
• arrhythmia
• Depressive behavior
• Low blood pressure

Causes of acidosis in dogs

The causes of acidosis can be many and varied. It is therefore important to first investigate the cause of the imbalance in your four-legged friend's body. Possible causes can be

• Diseases - underlying diseases such as problems with the pancreas, kidneys, liver or thyroid gland
• Administration of medication
• Gastritis - chronic hyperacidity
• Snow eating
• intolerances
• Feeding
• stress

If there is an underlying disease, this should be treated accordingly. If there is no underlying disease, you should take a closer look at your dog's diet. An unfavorable composition of the food, especially with BARF, can lead to an imbalance in the acid-base balance. Meat and animal dairy products provide the body with important proteins. If these proteins are broken down, acids are produced. Too much protein therefore also contributes to acidosis in dogs.

Stress is also a common factor. This is because the organism is out of balance and produces more acids, which cannot be fully balanced due to the damaged reserves.

Rebalancing the dog's acid-base balance

There are various measures that can be taken to restore your dog's acid-base balance. First and foremost, the gastrointestinal tract should be nourished and the mucous membrane rebuilt. A healthy gastrointestinal tract can balance the acid balance and prevent a renewed imbalance. Intestinal cures are therefore the first measure when other diseases have been ruled out as the cause. The following are suitable intestinal cures healing moor This natural product contains important nutrients and supports the intestinal activity and immune system of your four-legged friend. The organic mass contains a unique composition of ingredients that can only be found in Heilmoor.

But prebiotics such as Jerusalem artichokes are also healthy food for the gastrointestinal tract. Jerusalem artichokes are rich in inulin, an indigestible fiber that contributes to your dog's natural intestinal mucosa. This allows you to support the mucous membrane naturally and provide food for good intestinal bacteria.

Another measure to regulate the acid balance in dogs is to change their diet. In the case of acute acidosis, we recommend feeding your dog home-cooked food for a while and increasing the frequency of meals.

Change your dog's diet if the acid balance is disturbed:

• Low-fat meat, preferably muscle meat
• Leaf salads to balance acidity
• Feed foods with bitter substances
• Omit flatulent foods such as cabbage
• Feed several times a day/at least 3 times
• Different feeding times
• Rest while eating, avoid distractions so that the dog does not become stressed
• Reduce general stress

Do you bar feed your dog? Then we recommend that you revise the barf meals. You can discuss and analyze the composition with your vet or veterinary practitioner. Alternatively, our veterinary practitioners and animal nutrition experts are also available to support you. In addition, a completely individualized BARF nutrition plan can be created for your dog, of course taking into account all clinical diagnoses.

In acute cases, intravenous fluids can be administered to the dog at the vet to rebalance the acid ratio.

Fruit and vegetables that help with acidosis

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 - even for dogs. Below you will find a list of foods that balance acidity in dogs and are naturally well tolerated by your four-legged friend.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs should be fed in moderation, however, and the main ingredient in a dog's meal should always be lean muscle meat. If you notice that your four-legged friend's symptoms worsen when changing his diet, you should definitely consult a specialist you trust.