My cat’s urine has become pungent. What can be causing this change?

There are several variables that affect the smell of cat urine.

• - A change in diet can change the urine’s concentration. Cats that are on a wet food based diet have more dilute urine than cats that solely eat dry food. This in turn results in less malodorous urine.
• -Kidney disease. 
• -Urinary tract infections result in a more pungent, smelling urine. If your cat is exhibiting signs of difficulty urinating it is likely suffering from a urinary tract infection.

It is always best to consult a veterinarian if you discover a change in the smell of your cat’s urine, and have noted that your your cat has started to behave differently. Take a fresh urine sample (less than a day old) with you to the vets if this is the case.  Most cats will urinate in a clean, empty and dry litter tray. Alternatively you can use un-popped popcorn instead of litter. It is also possible to purchase “Katkor”, a special kind of litter that does not absorbe urine. This product comes with a pipette and a sterile container that you can transfer the urine into. If your cat will use an empty, clean litter tray, transfer the urine into a dry and clean plastic or glass container and refrigerate it until you visit the vet.