Alkaline Foods for Canines

Like humans, the canine body functions best at a slightly alkaline cellular pH. The pH of something refers to how much hydrogen is present; for instance, something with a high pH is considered acidic (e.g. vinegar) and something with low pH is basic or alkaline (e.g. baking powder). The foods your pet eats determine his pH level.

  1. Health Benefits

    • The kidneys, lungs and liver all work to naturally eliminate toxic acids from the body; however, consuming too much acidic food stresses these organs. Feeding your dog more alkaline foods will help balance his pH and protect him from diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, kidney failure and cancer. Acidosis, or the condition of being too acidic, also makes it difficult for your dog to absorb nutrients and minerals in his diet, and decreases the energy production of cells.

    Types of Alkaline Foods

    • You might be surprised at how many dogs enjoy raw vegetables.

      In general, fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent alkalizing foods. Many dogs enjoy broccoli, carrots, peas, and pumpkin (pure canned or cooked fresh) both alone or mixed with other food. When choosing grains, go for the whole grain options, which are less acidic than processed ones. Try integrating alkaline foods into your dog's diet gradually. Put some raw broccoli on top of his kibble, or mix pureed pumpkin into wet food.

    Acidic Foods to Avoid

    • Lamb is a less acidic alternative to beef.

      Most commercial dog food is high in meat and gluten, which means that it is also highly acidic. For this reason, either purchase more alkaline dog food (read the ingredients label and look for vegetables, certain meats, and whole grains) or switch to a home-cooked diet. Meat, particularly red meat, is acidic, and should not comprise the majority of your dog's caloric intake. However, a moderate amount of turkey, chicken and/or lamb is healthy when balanced with whole grains and alkaline fruits and vegetables. In addition, beans and dairy produce are also acidic; moderate them in your dog's diet.

    Health Risks

    • Increasing the alkalinity of your dog's diet shouldn't pose any major health risks. However, when you look for fresh foods to give your pup, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states that you should never feed dogs avocados, chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts, onions, raisins, grapes, salt, yeast dough or garlic