Why does my cat's urine smell like ammonia? Is it a health concern?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Ragdoll | Female | spayed | 6 lbs
Why does my cat urine smell like ammonia.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 11th, 2017
Urine is mostly water and urea which is a waste product of protein breakdown. Urea can develop into ammonia NH3 > NH4 which is why your cat litter smells like ammonia. You should empty out the litter completely more frequently (less deep litter with frequent cleaning is preferable for your cat). If your cat is older you should consider taking her in for blood testing to check her kidney function. There is a new test called SDMA which can detect early kidney disease.
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 12th, 2017
Your kitty may be suffering from diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease ur a urinary tract problem. Please take him to a veterinarian for an exam. The vet will need to do blood tests which will point out where the problem lies. He will also do a urinalysis. Depending on the underlying problem, Cougar will need to take Antibiotics and receive fluids if dehydrated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 14th, 2018
Dehydration (causing the urine to be even more concentrated than normal), infection, diabetes, and kidney failure would all change the smell of Stormy's urine. I would recommend a vet visit for a full blood work and urine panel to see if any medical cause can be found.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
my husband empties about half of the box of litter into the litter box. I tell him I don't think it's a good idea, I constantly smell the ammonia from the box, even though we clean it every day. We have 2 cats. I find by adding to much litter the u
I have two cats. A boy and a girl. When I change the litter box, the urine in the box is very pungent. What could this be from? I just want to make sure my babies will be ok.
I have an elder female cat. I know she has some aging issues, but looks relatively good. I have recently notice her urine no longer smells like cat urine. It has no smell to almost a light sweet smell. Not at all unpleasant as in normal cat pee.
My male cat drinks a lot more now and his urine REEKS of ammonia
My 10 year old cat's urine oder is different. It now has a kind of fruity smell.
what xan cause my cat's urine to smell bad?
We have a 5 yr old male cat, not fixed, some yellow stool, recently strong ammonia smell from litter box no weight loss, he's generally moody anyway, so hard to tell about behavior change.
I have a 9 year old female collie mix who’s urine seems to be smelling a little stronger of ammonia or something of the sort. She is not showing any signs of discomfort, loss of appetite, or lack of energy! Her dog food is Instinct, the chicken rec
My cat "pees" this liquid but I don't think it's actually pee it doesn't smell either. What could this be?
My kitten is 4 months old bottle feed for the first two in the last week his urine smells so bad it makes me sick and we live in a small apartment please need to know asap
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