Dog food and PH

Question
My 7 year old labrador has been having high ph problems for
about a year.  After removing everything from her diet, we figured out it was the dog food Premium Edge(lamb,rice and veggie) dog food that was causing it to go up to the high
7's.  She was then getting stones.  We finally have the stones, the bladder infection under control and she is clear.  She has been living on CD and distilled water and her peanut butter treats and her ph is down low.  I do not
want to keep her on CD as I dont think it is a very good dog food for her to be on. I much prefer a organic or natural dog food, however, I do not want to do a raw diet.
Can you advise of a good dog food that will keep her ph stable.  My vet wants to just keep her on CD. Someone also mentioned Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, but I have not a clue how to put that into her diet or if it is safe. Thank you so much.  

Answer
Good morning, Julie.

First, I would choose a good, high quality food that is meat based - the lower in carbs, the better.  Foods like Innova, TimberWolf, Orijen, etc.  If you can avoid grains in general and find a higher protein, lower carb food, that would be even better.  Combining this with a high quality canned food is always beneficial.  If you are in a position to feed a good quality canned only diet, that would be ideal for her.

You can also add a probiotic supplement - this is typically very useful in helping to regulate urinary PH.

Do make sure your Lab does consume adequate amounts off water and has the opportunity to urinate frequently to keep the urinary tract flushed out.

You can supplement with cranberry capsules to help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, thereby reducing the chance of stones developing.

You can add the Bragg Apple Cider vinegar to the drinking water or right to the food, but I would hold off to see where her PH levels are.
You can simply pick up urine PH strips at your local drug store and begin to monitor it yourself.  Particularly as you are changing her diet so you know how her body is responding to it.  

Keep in mind that antibiotics do alter the PH so before you begin monitoring her PH yourself, make sure she has been off the antibiotics for at least two weeks prior to testing.  If bacteria is still present, this will also alter her urine PH.

Good luck and do let me know if you have any other questions.

Gail E. Vigneault