can cat pee smell like ammonia?

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Sonique
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can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by Sonique »

The past couple times I've cleaned the litter box it's smelled like ammonia... my cats seem fine, they're eating, drinking and play just like normal. But I wanted to be sure, I've read that yes it can smell like that, but again I want to be sure. Please let me know, thanks
Sonique
MJ
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Re: can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by MJ »

It can smell like that a lot. Sometimes it means you're not cleaning the litter often enough/have too many cats using one box. Some cats also have particularly smelly pee.

But if it's sudden and you don't think it's because of the litter box being extra dirty, it might be an indication that something is wrong? I'm not sure. I'm sure someone who knows more can give you an idea if it sounds like a problem to them. :P
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Traci
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Re: can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by Traci »

If it sits there for a certain length of time, yes. Please make sure you're scooping the litterbox daily, and thoroughly cleaning and rinsing the boxes at least once a week. If there is residual urine in the box that you're not getting by scooping, and you can smell urine or amonia, it's time to thoroughly clean the box, but don't wait just for that to happen, clean it regularly, because it is unsanitary for the cats if you don't.

On another note, if you notice urine that is very dark yellow or orange or blood-tinted pink or red, or if the urine is cloudy or unusually clear and in excess, get cats to a vet for a full exam and urinalysis/bloodwork immediately. Unusually colored urine, strong urine smell or urine that smells unusually sweet, can all indicate health problems.
..........Traci
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Sonique
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Re: can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by Sonique »

yikes, once a week? I've been doing it about once a month >.>

Okay I'll be doing it once a week from now on. There was some pee clumped in the bottom that I don't think I was getting. It was probably where the smell came from... but they have their box all clean now.

now if I could only get LUcy to loose some weight =/
Sonique
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Traci
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Re: can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by Traci »

Please, please please, ONCE a week, from now on. If you don't keep it clean often, the cats will avoid it altogether. (and it's not healthy for them to have an unclean litterbox)

How overweight is Lucy? Have you addressed this with your vet? How old is she?
..........Traci
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Sonique
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Re: can cat pee smell like ammonia?

Post by Sonique »

Lucy is a little bit overweight... she's not HUGE or anything. She's actually lost a bit. I've been monitoring her foot intake. She's... two years I believe. Sorry didn't mean to make you worry about that.

anyway, yes once a week from now on.
Sonique
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