Urine leaves the body (either dogs urine or human) as an acid with a pH that is typically between 5 and 6. It is sterile containing no harmful bacteria, pathogens or microorganisms unless the dog has a urinary or bladder infection.
- The principle ingredient in urine (from dogs) is uric acid.
- Urine also contains urochrome (yellow pigment)
- Cholesterol (lipids)(animal fats)
- Urea
- And other ingredients.
The exact make-up of urine will vary depending on the dog’s diet, health and other factors. The urine begins to change immediately upon leaving the body. The urine comes in contact with bacteria on the skin along with microorganisms in the carpet and elsewhere. The warm acid conditions offer a perfect breeding ground for bacteria which begin to flourish. Uric acid begins to be broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia is highly alkaline (base).
A strong concentrated alkaline can damage dyes and create a permanent color loss. Be aware that what appears to be a urine stain may actually be color loss that can not be corrected by cleaning. The urine odor can still be removed and you can sometimes correct the color loss with carpet dying techniques or patching. But cleaning will not restore color that has been removed.
As the dogs acidic urine reacts with the ammonia that is being created it forms alkaline salt crystals (white residue). When dry urine is re-moistened it gives off ammonia gas. The odor of ammonia gas is one part of the distinctive odor that helps us to identify and locate dogs urine. The other component of urine’s odor is off-gassing from bacteria that grow abundantly in warm, dark places with a never-ending food supply. The pet urine feeds the bacteria daily!
The complex composition of urine and the many chemicals formed as the urine is decomposed by bacteria present a challenging situation. With time, some of these complex organic compounds can actually become part of the fiber.
Even if the bacteria are killed the ammonia and other chemicals still produce an odor. This is the reason that more than a sanitizing agent is necessary to neutralize odors from dogs urine.
there are many white stains on out concrete path from my dogs urine. Is this reaction white the concrete or a tomach problem.
thanks
paul
Paul
The reaction is neither a stomach problem or a reaction to the concrete but a condition created from the urine. When urine leaves the body human or mammal it is slightly acid (or acidic on the ph scale). The urine begins to change as soon as it leaves the body. Uric acid in the dogs urine is broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia is high alkaline on the ph scale. The reaction from the acidic urine and the ammonia creates alkaline salt crystals. This is the white residue left on the concrete from the dogs urine. A good acid pretreatment wash will neutralize the alkaline salt crystals (white residue). Once neutralized it wash’s off easily with water or another neutral cleaner. If the urine has penetrated deeply into the concrete you may want to use an enzyme digester or oxidation product to deal with any smell or other residue. But the acid cleaner will remove the alkaline salts (white residue) left from the dog urine on the concrete.
there are many white stains on out concrete path from my dogs urine. Is this reaction white the concrete or a tomach problem.
thanks
paul
Paul
This is fairly common. When dog urine first leaves the dogs body is slightly acidic on the PH scale. Immediately after leaving the dog it comes in contact with other elements in the environment and it begins to change and form alkaline salt crystals. In most cases these alkaline crystals are the white stains your referring to. These alkaline crystals will also show up on carpet and other materials. It is not limited to concrete. They do become obvious quicker on concrete though. When urine is fresh and acidic in nature you use an alkaline product to neutralize it. When it has become alkaline you use an acid base product to neutralize it. http://www.removeurine.com has a product called “Severe Urine” designed for this. If you are also dealing with a urine odor problem this is a separate issue from the alkaline salts. Severe Urine is designed to help with odor also. Hope this answers your question.
Is there a safe way to dye a dogs urine so I can tell which of 2 dogs is urinating in the house?
I understand Methylene Blue will turn urine blue in humans but you should check with your Veterinarian about whether it is safe for your dog. You could also separate the dogs for a couple days. That should let you know which is urinating in your house.
Fantastic post, I have got six Whippets myself.
My Pom is on Hills ud as she has had stones removed.
Now her acid level is higher then it should be. Can I give her raw hide as a treat? She only gets dog food.
Thank You,
M.Seavers
When urine leaves the body the normal ph is between 5-6. If your Pom’s acid level is higher than this you should check with your veterinarian. There are several possible causes for this and depending on the cause the solution varies. We do not deal with health issues here. Only removal and cleanup.
Thanks
Great post however , I was wanting to know if you could
write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.
Thanks!
We took our dog that was leaving this huge white stains everywhere outside. We breed and not one other male or female has this residue. We brought him in for an ultrasound and spin up of his urine. Besides a normal sediment, there were no crystals and he saw no obstruction of stones. It just freaks me out that he leaves such large white stains, but told nothing wrong with him, we will see, I think they are missing something, this thread eased my mind a bit on it. Thank you all….Great input