Vet Guide to Ammonium Chloride in 2025 🐾

Hi, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc—founder of Ask A Vet. This detailed guide discusses ammonium chloride, a urine acidifier used in veterinary medicine to help dissolve bladder stones, support toxin removal, and manage urinary alkalosis. We'll cover dosing, administration, side effects, safety, and monitoring for dogs and cats. Let’s get started! 💧🩺

📘 What Is Ammonium Chloride?

Ammonium chloride is a urine acidifier prescribed to lower urine pH, dissolve certain crystals/struvite stones, promote excretion of ionized toxins, and support the efficacy of some antibiotics :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

✅ Veterinary Uses in 2025

• Dissolve struvite bladder stones or crystals in dogs and cats
• Enhance clearance of toxins via renal excretion
• Improve efficacy of pH-dependent antibiotics in UTIs :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Correct metabolic alkalosis in certain medical conditions :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

📐 Dosing Guidelines

Doses vary depending on formulation and patient:

• Oral tablets or powder: typically 3–4× daily (e.g., 80–1000 mg tablets), depending on weight and vet guidance :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Liquid oral solution (e.g. compounded 400 mg/5 mL): 400 mg (5 mL) orally twice daily :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Effective dose reported: 100 mg/kg PO for dogs, ~20 mg/kg PO for cats :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• IV form used in hospital for immediate therapy :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

⚠️ Species & Health Precautions

• Cats & dogs with CKD or liver disease: use caution due to limited excretion :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Avoid in animals with urate stones; can worsen certain stones :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Avoid if severe vomiting, respiratory acidosis, or pulmonary disease present :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Use with caution in cardiac or fluid-overloaded patients, and in pregnant/lactating animals :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

🛑 Side Effects & Risks

• Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting), injection-site pain if IV :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Elevated respiratory rate, metabolic acidosis, depression, arrhythmias in overdose scenarios :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Possible calcium oxalate crystalluria in cats due to acidic urine :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Hyperventilation and electrolyte disturbances :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

💊 Drug Interactions

Ammonium chloride may interact or reduce absorption of:

• Antibiotics: aminoglycosides, erythromycin, tetracyclines, penicillin G, methenamine, nitrofurantoin :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Antacids (aluminum hydroxide), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, opioids (methadone), aspirin, quinidine, chlorpropamide :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}

🔬 Monitoring & Follow-Up

• Check urine pH daily (goal <6.5) using pH strips :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Monitor blood pH and electrolytes periodically to ensure acid-base balance :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
• Perform routine renal panels and liver checks if used long-term
• Monitor for crystalluria and adjust if signs of calcium oxalate appear :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

📅 Missed Dose Instructions

If a dose is missed, give when remembered unless close to the next one—never double up :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

🚨 Overdose & Emergency Protocols

Overdose signs include marked respiratory changes, metabolic acidosis, arrhythmias, or neurological depression. Seek emergency vet care or call Pet Poison Helpline immediately.

🏡 Real-Life Use Cases

🐶 Dog with Struvite Bladder Stones

• Initiate ammonium chloride tablets 3–4× daily with hydration support
• Monitor urine pH daily; adjust dose until crystals dissolve and pH remains below 6.5
• Re-check radiographs after 2–4 weeks to confirm stone resolution

🐱 Cat with Urinary Alkalosis and UTIs

• Use 20 mg/kg PO twice daily; add acidifying diet and ensure adequate water intake
• Confirm urine pH and bacterial culture; complete full antibiotic course

🐴 Large-Animal Emergency Support

• In livestock, ammonium chloride is dosed via feed (≤0.5%) or drenches (e.g., goats) to prevent urinary stones :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
• Often used short-term (3-month max at 1%) in ruminants :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give human ammonium chloride supplements to pets?

Human supplements are not ideally dosed for pets—always use vet-prescribed formulations or compounds guided by dose and monitoring.

How long can my pet use it?

Dietary forms at ≤0.5% can be safe long-term. Medical doses should be limited to treatment periods and constantly monitored :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

Is ammonium chloride safe for kittens?

Oral forms are contraindicated in kittens; injectable used only under strict supervision :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.

Does it mask urinary issues?

No—it adjusts pH but doesn't cure infections or underlying causes. Use alongside antibiotics or dietary interventions.

📌 Final Takeaways

• Ammonium chloride is a useful urine acidifier for dissolving struvite stones and supporting toxin elimination in dogs and cats.
• Typical dose: tablets/liquid 3–4× daily or 400 mg/5 mL liquid twice daily; adjust per urine pH.
• Monitor urine pH, acid-base balance, and kidney function during use.
• Avoid in severe kidney/liver/pulmonary disease, urate stones, or urinary obstruction.
• Watch drug interactions and never double doses if missed.

Need help designing a urinary management plan for your pet using ammonium chloride? Ask A Vet provides 24/7 vet guidance tailored to your pet’s needs—download our app today for personalized care. 🐶🐱❤️