Uric acid is a breakdown product of numerous animal species and an end product of purine metabolism. In dogs, around 75 percent of uric acid is excreted via the kidneys. Uric acid is also found in small amounts in saliva, sweat and intestines. The human body excretes around one gram of uric acid per day. In dogs, this value decreases according to body size. Uric acid should not be confused with urea. The latter is of great importance for numerous biological processes.
If the uric acid level in the body rises, this can be balanced out in animals by feeding them a low-purine diet. As part of the cell nucleus, purines are found in foods that have a lot of cells. These include innards, poultry skin, mackerel and anchovies. Due to a genetic defect, owners of Dalmatians are particularly careful about uric acid when BARFing . The spotted dogs usually produce too much uric acid in their kidneys, which is why the level is constantly monitored. When BARFing, there are numerous ways to ensure that food is low in purines. The focus is on high-quality muscle meat and special types of fish such as cod. For detailed information, we recommend visiting a veterinary practice.
