Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
Pee, pee, wee… it has many names. But, similar to an article I wrote earlier about cat feces, urine can be equally informative for the owner of a furry cat. Not only does the amount of urine your cat produces accurately represent how much your cat is drinking, it can be a key indicator of kidney health and also a red flag for certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes (because, remember, what goes in, must come out!), but urine itself can contain clues about your cat’s health. If poop testing wasn’t your thing until you read my last article, now we can double the usefulness of a little box sleuth or a guano gumboot, to help you keep your cat healthy for as long as possible. can.
The Ins and Outs of Urine
Why is it called urine or wee?? Derived from the Greek word oûronurine also means “water”, so everything related to the urinary tract such as ureters, urethra, and urogenital all have some form of the root.
What are normal? Normally, metabolism within the body means that cats produce urine at a rate of 1-2 ml/kg/hr. Since what comes out must also be replaced, this is the same formula that veterinarians use for calculating basal water intake requirements, when deciding what rate for IV fluids to use in surgical patients.
At home in the litterbox, this means that cats, on average, urinate 2-3 times daily, and generally expect a clump to be about the size of their bladder, from plum to orange that size. There may be a mild to stronger urine gate, even stronger if a cat is a full male due to the influence of testosterone. Urine is usually yellow or golden in color. Owners tend to underestimate the frequency of urination in their cats, so don’t worry too much if your cat doesn’t seem to fit the above! Interestingly, the same study above found that healthy cats compared to abnormal ones spent more time in litter-covering activities.
What Should You NOT Expect From Urine?
You’re in luck (ihi- get it? Pardon the pun!), because if you know the normals, then picking up any urine abnormalities can be very easy. The following are things that may indicate it’s time to talk to your vet, as they may indicate underlying health issues.
- Color changes: Red color can indicate blood; Orangey tints can indicate liver issues.
- Sticky urine: A sticky feeling in the urine can possibly indicate the presence of sugar, which can be an indication of diabetes in some cats.
- Shiny urine: in general, crystalluria (or crystals formed in the urine) is not visible to the eye. However, sometimes when urine is dried, if it contains enough crystals, it can appear to sparkle, as the crystal facets reflect light, similar to a diamond. I’ve had many clients bring their cats in for shiny urine, where we diagnose crystalluria.
- Change in smell, or very strong smell: Some people seem to have strange sniffers. Genetically, some people can smell ketones which can indicate a serious complication in metabolic diseases like diabetes. I’ve worked with other people in vet clinics who swear by being able to detect urinary tract infections, from the smell of the urine samples that are brought in. They might give some money to gluten, bombs, and seizure sniffing dogs. – it’s surprising how accurate they often are, even though many remain standardized and validated.
Other Urinary Things People See as Normal That Aren’t
- Being a good drinker: This more often than not indicates that your cat has an excessive or pathological need for water.
- Urination is very little, often. This can indicate an increased need to go to the bathroom – which can stem from issues such as urinary tract infections.
- Crying while urinating. This can indicate disease, which can come from infections, crystals, stones and blockages.
- Enters the box to urinate, then leaves without urinating. Just like you or I don’t go to the bathroom and have a false alarm, so do cats.
In Conclusion
It may be better known as liquid gold as a joke, but in reality, urine can be a key indicator of your cat’s health. So the next time you’re scooping up the box, and neglecting yet another thankless chore, try reframing it in a mini health checkup you’re giving your fluffy cat. They only visit their vet once or twice a year-meanwhile through the litterbox, and monitoring stool and urine output and characteristics, you have a daily opportunity to assess your cat’s health and happiness. Now that’s a bargain! (As a pet owner myself, I have to say that Pancake would definitely approve of both a clean litter box, and a clean bill of health!)
