Q. Our dog’s urination is now causing burn spots in the lawn. I have seen supplement pills sold on many websites to neutralize the acid in their urine and prevent burning the lawn. Have you seen any adverse side effects from dogs using these pills?

A. Thank you for your question.  

I personally have never had a patient that has had any side effects from using products that alter the pH of a dogs urine. 

The only side effects I can forsee with altering a dogs urinary pH, are crystal and calculi formation or if the urine is too alkaline it can increase the risk for urinary tract infections. 

Many dogs will develop crystals in their urine and different crystals form at different pH levels.

We try to make the pH more acidic with diet, and sometimes medication, when dogs develop struvite crystals and stones. 

These are the only reasons I would want to alter a dog's pH level.

Personally, I would not use those products to alter my dogs pH unless there was a medical reason affecting the pet's health. There are natural remedies that may be safer and just as effective.

I know that people have recommended adding Brewer’s yeast to the diet.

I have also heard that watering the area where the dog urinated can dilute the urine concentration so it will not burn the lawn.

But I would try to find a solution that did not involve medicine, except for maybe Brewer’s yeast.

We do not sell any products that alter the pH of urine on our website, because I haven't used them on any of my patients. We only sell on our website what we actually sell in our veterinary clinic.