A sudden change in the smell of cat urine is often the first warning sign for the owner. If the tray began to exude an unbearable ammonia stench or a sweetish, putrid hue appeared, this indicates a profound change in the animal's body. Ignoring the symptom can lead to the development of chronic pathologies of the kidneys and the urinary system.
Normally, the smell of discharge in a healthy cat is specific, but not repulsive. It becomes sharp due to an increase in the concentration of nitrogenous compounds or the appearance of bacteria. urine It is an indicator of health and its change requires immediate attention. In this article, we will discuss physiological and pathological causes, as well as methods of correction of the pet's condition.
Do not rely on air fresheners or new fillers. They only mask the problem as the disease progresses. You need to understand the root cause in order to choose the right strategy. Timely diagnosis This prevents expensive treatment in the hospital.
Physiological causes of changes in smell
Stink is not always indicative of a deadly disease. Often the cause lies in the natural processes of the body. In uncastrated cats and unsterilized cats, the smell increases many times during sexual activity. It's about the emissions. pheromoneThe animal uses to mark the territory.
Another reason could be diet. If you feed your pet cheap economy-class food with a high content of soybeans and corn, the quality of urine inevitably deteriorates. Cheap proteins are poorly absorbed, and the products of their breakdown are excreted through the kidneys, creating a caustic ammonia spirit.
Dehydration is a frequent guest in the hot season or when feeding dry food without access to water. Concentrated urine has a darker color and smells sharp. In this case, it is enough to establish a drinking regime.
Stressful situations also affect the chemical composition of secretions. Moving, having a new family member or changing fillers can trigger a temporary change in smell. However, if the situation does not normalize after 2-3 days, a veterinarian consultation is required.
Install a drinking fountain for cats: moving water encourages animals to drink more, which reduces urine concentration and the risk of stone formation.
Urinary pathologies
The most common and dangerous cause is urolithiasis (ICD). Salt crystals (struvites or oxalates) injure the bladder mucosa. In response to inflammation, blood, protein and bacteria enter the urine, which gives it a putrid smell.
β οΈ If the cat sits in the tray often, but the urine does not excrete or drips a drop with blood - this is an emergency. Urethral blockage in cats is fatal in 24-48 hours.
Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) of a bacterial nature also changes the aroma of secretions. Bacteria begin to multiply actively, breaking down urea to ammonia. This process is called ammonia fermentation. Without antibacterial therapy, the infection rises higher, affecting the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
Diabetic nephropathy is another serious diagnosis. With diabetes, acetone appears in the urine, giving it a characteristic sweetish, sweet smell. This condition requires immediate correction of glucose levels.
Hidden symptoms of ICD
In addition to the smell, pay attention to the animalβs position. If a cat goes into the tray hunched, squeezes his paws or meows complaining when urinating - these are signs of pain. Also, the cat can begin to pee on soft surfaces (sofa, bed), trying to relieve pain when the abdominal muscles are strained.
Infectious and systemic diseases
The smell can change not only because of kidney problems. Systemic infections, such as calicivirosis or chronic renal failure (CKD), leading to the accumulation of toxins in the blood (uremia). The body tries to remove them in all available ways, including the lungs and skin, but the main load falls on the urine.
With CKD, the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood. Creatinine and urea accumulate in the urine. The smell is getting heavy, rotten. Often this is accompanied by vomiting, weight loss and dull coat. Diagnosis requires a biochemical blood test.
Helminthiases (worms) in the advanced stage can also affect the metabolism. The products of the vital activity of parasites poison the body, making the secretions more toxic and odorous. Regular deworming is an obligatory part of prevention.
Diagnosis: analyses and surveys
Before we start treatment, we need to understand what we are fighting. A veterinarian will prescribe a set of studies. Self-diagnosis by color or smell is impossible and dangerous.
The table below shows the main diagnostic methods and their goals:
| Method of research | What reveals | Normal performance |
|---|---|---|
| General urine analysis | Bacteria, crystals, blood, density | Absence of bacteria, pH 6.0-7.0 |
| Ultrasound of the bladder | Rocks, sand, wall thickening | Smooth walls, lack of suspension |
| Blood biochemistry | Kidney function (creatinine, urea) | Creatinine to 150 ΞΌmol/L |
| Bakposse urine | Type of infectious agent | Sterility (no growth of flora) |
It is important to collect the material for analysis. Urine should be collected in a sterile container immediately after urination. If you use a non-absorbent filler or a special mesh, this will make the task easier. At least 5-10 ml of liquid is required for analysis.
Ultrasound is the βgold standardβ for detecting rocks and sand that are not always visible on X-rays (e.g., struvites are X-ray-transparent).
Treatment and therapy
Treatment is prescribed strictly according to the results of tests. If the cause is bacteria, a course is needed. antibiotics. It can not be interrupted, even if the symptoms disappear on the second day, otherwise there will be resistance of microorganisms.
With urolithiasis, antispasmodics are used (to relieve pain and facilitate the outflow of urine) and special diets. Diet therapy is a lifelong process. Class feeding Hill's Prescription Diet or Royal Canin Urinary They are able to dissolve certain types of stones and maintain the pH of urine in normal.
In severe cases, when the stone overlaps the urethra, catheterization under anesthesia or surgery (urethrostomia) is required. This is a complex procedure, after which careful care of the suture and control of urination are required.
βοΈ Checklist for cystitis treatment
Prevention and care of the tray
To avoid recurrence, hygiene rules must be followed. The tray must be clean. Cats are clean animals, and if the tray is dirty, they can tolerate to the last, which contributes to the concentration of urine and the development of bacteria.
The ideal cleaning scheme: removing solid fractions and lumps 1-2 times a day, completely replacing the filler and washing the tray with disinfectant (no chlorine!) once a week. Use fillers with antibacterial effect or silica gel granules, which better absorb moisture and odors.
β οΈ Warning: Never use chlorine-containing products (White) to wash the tray. Chlorine vapors are toxic to cats, and the residual smell can scare the animal away from the tray, forcing it to look for another place.
It is also important to monitor the weight of the pet. Obesity is a direct route to diabetes and joint problems, which makes it difficult to go to the tray. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to stagnation of urine.
How to clean the smell if the cat peed past?
Use enzyme odor destroyers (enzyme cleaners). Conventional chemistry only masks the smell for the person, but the cat senses the mark and will write there again. Enzymes break down uric acid crystals at the molecular level.
When you need to go to the clinic urgently
There are red flags, which count for minutes. If you notice the following symptoms, do not wait for morning or Monday:
- π Complete absence of urine in the tray for more than 24 hours (stomach hard, painful).
- π Urine color "meat slops" (bright red or brown).
- π Vomiting combined with refusal of water and lethargy.
- π Severe pain when trying to take a cat in your arms in the abdomen.
Delay in the case of a blockage of the urethra leads to rupture of the bladder, kidney failure and death from uremia. In such cases, delay is tantamount to a refusal of assistance.
Remember that cats are masterful at hiding pain. If you notice that the smell has changed, then the process is already underway. Be careful of your pets, because their health depends on your observation.
Preventive examination by a veterinarian once every 6 months (with ultrasound and blood test) for cats older than 7 years allows you to identify kidney problems at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.
Can I give a cat human cystitis medicine?
It is strictly impossible to give medicines without a doctor's prescription. Many human drugs (for example, paracetamol, aspirin, some antibiotics) are deadly to cats due to the peculiarities of their metabolism. Dosage is also calculated individually by weight.
Why does urine smell like fish when the cat doesnβt eat fish?
The smell of fish or rotten often indicates the presence of certain bacteria (such as Proteus) that break down urea. Also, this smell can give a high protein content in the diet or problems with the pancreas.
How often should I change the filler to avoid smell?
The clumping filler requires daily removal of lumps. Full replacement depends on the type: clay is changed once a week, wood - as it is absorbed, silica gel - once every 2-3 weeks, provided that the used granules are regularly mixed and removed.