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View Full Version : What does cat urine smell like on a normal basis?


shodamuda
Dec 16, 2011, 08:23 PM
I am wondering what cat urine normally smells like. Twice I've come home to some brownish liquid on the kitchen counter. I've smelled it and it smells a little like a broth of sorts. I thought cat urine has an ammonia smell but this stuff does not have any indication of ammonia. I also have a Whippet and started wondering if she may be doing that. Thanks for any info or ideas.

paleophlatus
Dec 19, 2011, 03:05 PM
You're correct... cat, dog, mouse... all urine has an acrid ammonia smell to it, and the older the urine is, the more ammonia smell. Cat urine, especially males, is even more pronounced and unpleasantly strong. Unless your nose frequently deceives you, or simply deserts you, entering a room that a cat has urinated in will be immediately detected.

As to what that brownish liquid is, what volume is it? Most dog or cat urine, even if just marking, will be fairly small, but still more than a few drops.

Sorry, but I don't think it would be urine, but I'm not there to see, so could be wrong. Still, you may think about doing some household detective work.

shodamuda
Dec 19, 2011, 03:21 PM
It is about a cup or little more of liquid. Found more than once in same area on floor near the door in a corner and on the counter top. Thanks

Wondergirl
Dec 19, 2011, 03:27 PM
It could be cat vomit. Sometimes they will throw up a liquid, sometimes a brownish one, depending on what they have recently eaten. Cat vomit could also be a white foam or foam with a dark wad (hairball). (I should start a museum featuring all the different kinds of cat vomit I've cleaned up.)

One-eighth or maybe one-fourth cup is about the most I've had to clean up. If it's urine, taking a sniff would tell you right away.

A cup is a lot though. Are you sure something isn't leaking? Or something got spilled?

paleophlatus
Dec 19, 2011, 04:46 PM
I think Wondergirl is on to something.

You threw me by not mentioning the floor, just on the counter. But a cup, or more? That's a lot of urine from a cat. Brownish urine is from an animal with a bit of blood in it, coming from higher up, like possibly the kidney. Still will have a urine smell, but be a little different than straight, normal urine.
This would make a little more sense, but being found on the counter makes me think it's NOT from the cat. (unless you routinely find the dog on the counter)

Or are grossly overestimating the volume of urine. Take a cup of milk and pour it on the floor or counter and compare sizes?

Better yet, watch both pets for frequency of having to use either the litterbox, or go outdoors. Many times housebroken dogs will, if things get past their tolerance, 'go' close to the door they usually go outdoors through. Alternately, go out with the dog and observe what she passes. If you are stealthy and careful you may be able to slip a container under her as she goes and compare results, or collect a sample for the vet if she looks to be 'the one'.

If Wondergirl convinces you it isn't urine, but vomit... then forget my suggestions. Otherwise, you may be in for a trip to the vet's if it continues.

And Wondergirl... I have seen enough examples of cat vomit that I prefer not to see your museum, should you open one up. Even though I'm sure it would be interesting to a truly curious-about-that-sort-of-stuff person.

Valletwo
Dec 22, 2011, 08:23 AM
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