{"id":13278,"date":"2022-05-11T09:30:59","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T14:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/?p=13278"},"modified":"2024-08-30T13:59:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T18:59:02","slug":"is-my-cats-pee-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/health\/urinary\/is-my-cats-pee-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"Is My Cat\u2019s Pee Normal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your cat is healthy, you probably don\u2019t think much about their pee, other than when the litter box needs changing. But your cat\u2019s urine can actually tell you a lot about their health, including showing signs of infection or a medical condition like urinary stones<\/a> or cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this article we cover all things cat pee and answer some common questions pet parents have about their cat\u2019s urine, including the very popular how to get rid of cat pee smell. First, let\u2019s go over some facts about cat urine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Does Cat Pee Smell Like?<\/h2>\n

If your cat pees in the house, there\u2019s no doubt what the pungent smell is. What causes cat urine to be soooo smelly compared to dog urine?<\/p>\n

Normal cat urine is mostly water (about 95%), but it also contains the natural waste products of protein breakdown that contribute to its distinctive, acidic smell. Urea in the urine is broken down into ammonia by bacteria in the environment, which is why it\u2019s important to scoop your cat\u2019s litter box daily to avoid a strong ammonia stench coming from the box. Cats tend to have more concentrated urine than dogs, which contributes to the stronger smelling urine. But that\u2019s not the only difference.<\/p>\n

Pee from Male Cats Is the Worst!<\/h3>\n

Another reason cat urine smells different to dog urine is the felinine factor. Felinine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is only found in the urine of domestic cats and their close relatives (e.g., bobcats and lynx). You can\u2019t actually smell felinine (it\u2019s odorless) but it\u2019s highly volatile and readily breaks down into stinky compounds. Unneutered male cats have much higher concentrations of felinine which, along with testosterone, typically makes their pee the stinkiest.<\/p>\n

When the Urine Smell Is Different<\/h3>\n

You probably try to avoid smelling your cat\u2019s pee, but it\u2019s important to pay attention (particularly if they also went outside the litter box<\/a>) because a change in smell could be due to a problem with your cat\u2019s health. An abnormal urine odor could be from an infection<\/a>, cystitis<\/a>, dehydration<\/a> or diabetes<\/a>. So it\u2019s a good idea to contact your veterinarian if your cat\u2019s urine smells different than usual.<\/p>\n

What Color Should Cat Pee Be?<\/h2>\n

Normal urine from a healthy cat is a light yellow to amber color. A red color may indicate blood in the urine, and orange urine may be caused by bilirubin (a possible sign of liver disease). The urine should be clear to slightly cloudy. It will appear cloudy or turbid if it contains cells, urinary crystals or bacteria. Cat urine doesn\u2019t contain bacteria unless your cat has an infection.<\/p>\n

What is a Normal Cat Pee Clump Size?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re using clumping litter, you should see pee clumps that range from golf ball to tennis ball size. Again, this depends on your cat\u2019s water consumption and their health. If you notice that the cat litter clumps have changed size or the number of clumps has increased or decreased, contact your vet.<\/p>\n

How Often Should Cats Pee?<\/h2>\n

A healthy, adult indoor cat will urinate twice a day on average. But the number of times they pee each day can change depending on their water intake, the heat and humidity and the moisture content of their cat food. It\u2019s a good idea to pay attention to your cat\u2019s normal daily urination habits so that any change from normal can be spotted. If your cat urinates less or more than usual, contact your vet, as less or more frequent urination could indicate a health condition such as kidney disease or a bladder infection.<\/p>\n

Why Does My Cat Pee Everywhere?<\/h2>\n

If your cat is peeing outside the litter box, you may want to take them for a checkup as inappropriate urination can be a sign of illness. Other reasons adult cats pee everywhere but the litter box<\/a> include:<\/p>\n