ph testing dogs urine

Question
My 24lb 3 1/2 year old rescue chocolate cocker came to me 3 years ago and was a mess. She was from a kill shelter in Kentucy & previously bred 3 litters of cockapoos then was sent to the kill shelter.  UTI, bilateral infected ears,skin allergies and severely depressed. Urinating in the house & crate. Urinalysis showed struvite crystals. She was put on short term antibiotics, steroid therapy & permanent Royal Canine SO diet.

Fast forward 3 years & she is happy & healthy & the joy of our home.But I must admit lately we have not been strick with her SO diet and she seems sick of it. Will put a bowl of food out in the am & often she wont touch it til after 9pm (we tease that she is on a European dining schedule).

Spoke with our vet to see about changing diet to non prescriptive food. He wanted to repeat UA to see how she was doing on her "not so strict" SO diet. Her UA just came back negative! Yeah... no crystals.

I read an answer by Catherine Lane re: Dog Food for dogs with crystals & she recommended monitoring the dogs urine ph with dip stick. Where would I purchase the dipsticks & what should her ph be?

Also what over the counter dog food should i put my doggie diva on now. The vet said "anything", but I am looking for a more specific answer that will benefit my dog. Any input would be appreciated.

Answer
Hello Brenda,

First of all, let me say thank you for giving her a second chance and a wonderful home.  I have two brands I recommend strongly, both I use and trust so I became a representive with them.  Life's Abundance and Flint River Ranch are excellent foods.  Made with American made ingredients, both of these foods are made, shipped to the warehouse, and then directly to our customers. We pride ourselves in knowing that your pet has a fresh bag of food.  On average, you will receive your pet's food within 6 weeks of being made, it's that fresh!  
I have many customers with urinary issues that do very well on the Flint River Ranch.  Flint River Ranch has developed several premium pet food formulas that may be helpful in the possible prevention of urinary stones, including our Flint River Ranch DryWater premium moist pet food formula, our Flint River Ranch Lamb and Rice premium formula, and our lower-protein Flint River Ranch "Fish and Chips" Premium Pet Food formula with added fruits, vegetables, and essential fatty acids.

For the dipsticks, check out amazon, you can get a bottle of 100 for around $15.

If you want to check out the products I mentioned, please go to my websites http://www.pipschoice.com http://www.frrco.com/120855 and my personal website http://www.spottsgrooming.com

Please let me know if I can help you further.

Susan Potts