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Have you recently noticed that your dog’s pee smell like ammonia? Are you worried the ammonia smell could mean your dog is sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We know it’s scary when you notice concerning symptoms in your dog.
In this article, we’ve put together some information on what causes a dog’s pee to smell like ammonia. We’ll also offer guidance on what you should do if your dog’s urine smells like ammonia. Let’s get started!
Why Does My Dog’s Pee Smell Like Ammonia?
A dog’s normal scent can vary for many reasons; however, if a dog’s urine has a strong odor, then it needs to be checked out. If you’ve noticed your dog’s urine has a strong smell of ammonia, this could be caused by several different health issues.
For instance, a dog’s urine can smell like ammonia because he has developed a medical condition. This could be something like kidney disease, diabetes, or bladder stones.
Another common cause for a strong ammonia smell could be that dog isn’t hydrated enough. Dehydration causes a dog to retain as much water as possible. This means that the dog’s urine will be more concentrated and smell like ammonia. The darker the dog’s urine, the more dehydrated the dog may be.
Has your dog recently started a new diet? If so, then this could be the cause of the strong ammonia odor from his urine. Dogs naturally excrete what they eat, just as we do. It’s possible a new dog food/diet could cause a dog’s urine to take on a different odor, such as ammonia. If your dog’s diet has more fish, vitamin B6, or even asparagus, then his urine could have a strong ammonia smell.
UTIs are another common cause of ammonia smells in a dog’s urine. UTIs are usually caused by a bacterial infection, though they may also be caused by fungal infections. Both can cause urine to smell like ammonia. UTIs that are caused by a bacterial infection are usually treated with a round of antibiotics. This usually clears up the problem.
What to Do If Your Dog’s Pee Smells Like Ammonia
If your dog’s pee smells like ammonia, then it’s time to call the vet. Your dog could have an underlying health issue causing the strong smell. It’s always best to have your dog checked right away because early diagnosis and treatment mean your dog will feel better that much sooner! And his pee will no longer smell like ammonia!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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