As a loving pet parent, one of the jobs we have is monitoring our dog’s health. Monitoring a dog’s health involves checking his teeth, ensuring he gets plenty of exercise & the right food, and more. It also means monitoring your dog and his body habits. While this is not the most pleasant job in the world, it’s one that we need to do to keep our canine companions healthy and happy.
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Have you noticed that your dog’s pee smells like bleach? Are you worried this may be a sign your dog is sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog develops this type of symptom.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what can make a dog’s pee smell like bleach and what you can do to help your dog. Let’s get started!
What Could Make a Dog’s Pee Smell Like Bleach?
The most common causes of a dog’s urine smelling like bleach include UTIs & kidney problems. This problem can also be caused by dehydration. We’ll start off with a UTI.
A UTI (urinary tract infection) is caused by bacteria or fungi that take up residence anywhere in the dog’s urinary tract. When the bacteria or fungi become too many, an infection is the result. The infection is an overgrowth of the bacteria or fungi, which the immune system isn’t able to deal with. The infection then makes your dog begin to have various symptoms. One of these can be foul-smelling urine, which smells like bleach.
Another cause of foul-smelling urine is kidney disease or an infection. The kidneys work to filter out toxins and waste from the blood, then excrete these waste products through urine. When the kidneys aren’t functioning correctly, the waste products build up in his body. What’s more, the dog’s urine will become more concentrated, which can cause it to smell like bleach or chemicals. The smell is coming from the concentrated waste products in the urine.
Dehydration can also cause urine to smell like bleach. If your dog doesn’t drink enough water, the kidneys don’t have enough water to use for excreting the body’s waste products. This leads to a high concentration of waste products in the urine, making it a foul odor.
Symptoms of UTI & Kidney Conditions in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has a UTI or a kidney condition:
- Excessive thirst/urination
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Bad breath
- Foul-smelling urine (may smell like bleach or chemicals)
- Bloody and/or cloudy urine (red/pink color is also possible)
- Crying when urinating (because it’s painful)
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, including pee that smells like bleach; then it’s time to call the vet. Your dog needs to be evaluated to see what’s causing the problem.
Vets can treat UTIs with antibiotics or anti-fungals, and kidney problems can usually be treated, too. The key is to get your dog checked as soon as possible. You will help him feel better soon, and you may also save his life!
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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