View Full Version : Increased ammonia smell in urine
c_y0rk3
Dec 10, 2007, 05:20 PM
I have 3 cats. All nuetered. One of them has urine that has the most potent ammonia smell I've ever been exposed to. I know he's not missing the box. The smell is the worst if one of his clumps break apart during scooping so I know it's not because of the box or the litter. He's perfectly healthy, no infections, not dehydrated, perfectly normal in every other way. Every website I visit blames it on spraying, dehydration, the plastic in the box is soakin it up, etc. I know for a FACT it is none of this and I can't seem to get a good answer. Please help!
stonewilder
Dec 10, 2007, 05:40 PM
My sister had a cat like that as well as my son does. I just assumed it was a male thing since my female cats urine is not that bad. I don't know.
rpg219
Dec 10, 2007, 05:51 PM
Not a male thing, my female is like this too
cindarama
Dec 15, 2007, 08:25 PM
Not an answer
cindarama
Dec 15, 2007, 08:30 PM
I have 3 cats. All nuetered. One of them has urine that has the most potent ammonia smell I've ever been exposed to. I know he's not missing the box. The smell is the worst if one of his clumps break apart during scooping so I know it's not because of the box or the litter. He's perfectly healthy, no infections, not dehydrated, perfectly normal in every other way. Every website I visit blames it on spraying, dehydration, the plastic in the box is soakin it up, etc. I know for a FACT it is none of this and I can't seem to get a good answer. Please help!
I'm looking for an answer to the same question.
oneguyinohio
Dec 15, 2007, 08:42 PM
My idea about this is that it might have something to do with the diet. Take a look at this link about the amonia problem for people, and then apply that to cats.
Bodybuilding.com - Jeremy Likness - What Is That Ammonia Smell When I Sweat? (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm)
Not all of your cats will process the foods the same way, so each will be affected differently.
Wondergirl
Dec 15, 2007, 08:44 PM
Is the cat male? If so, he may have been neutered after he became sexually mature. (Do you know?) If he was neutered before the age of six months, he may just have that odor in his chemical makeup.
If he urinates only in the litterbox, it sounds like it's not that big of a problem. You'll just have to scoop at least once a day.
I have a neutered male cat with strong-smelling urine. There are two more neutered males that use the same boxes. I scoop litter every evening and wash the pans thoroughly once a week (or more often). If I don't, the urine smell smacks me in the face when I come into the house from work.
P.S. I notice it makes a difference when I use certain brands and compositions of litter. The best for us so far seems to be a scoopable litter that has chlorophyll crystals mixed in it. I will post the brand name if you wish.