Why we include Cranberries in The Canine Cook dog food

Some dogs, particularly females, can be prone to urinary tract infections. These can be just as uncomfortable for dogs as they are for people, and prevention is the key. Having  Cranberry already mixed in the food on a regular basis can prevent the bacteria that cause urinary tract infection from building up in the bladder.

Research has shown that taking cranberry makes the urine and the bladder walls more acidic. Adding cranberry to a complete dog food is an excellent way of ensuring continued protection as you can be sure that an adequate amount is received constantly. Since common urinary tract infections in dogs are caused by bacteria such as E. coli, which function best in alkaline urine, many holistic vets promote cranberry extracts for treating bladder infections. Acidifying the urine with supplements such as cranberry extracts may prove helpful.

However, contrary to early research in people, it now appears that acidification of the urine is not as important as cranberry's ability to block bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Preventing bacterial adhesion to the bladder wall prevents infection and allows the bacteria to be washed out with the urine.