Kidney Disease in Cats & Sweet-Smelling Urine

Kidney disease is one of the most common forms of disease in cats, especially as they get older. In some cases, one of the first signs is a strong, sweet-smelling odor in their urine.

  1. Frequent Urination

    • In addition to a sweet smell in the urine, if you notice your cat frequently urinating or urinating outside the litter box, this might be a sign of kidney disease.

    Diabetes

    • Diabetic cats will often produce a sweet odor in the urine, caused by excessive glucose passing through the system.

    Acetonemia

    • Acetonemia is a condition in which there are large amounts of acetone bodies in the blood, and can sometimes be detected by a strong, sweet smell in the urine. This can be caused by the kidneys failing to do their job properly.

    Increased Thirst

    • If you find that your cat is drinking more than usual, this could indicate kidney disease, including diabetes. There might not be an excessive odor, however.

    Medical Attention

    • If you suspect kidney disease, you should schedule a complete physical with your veterinarian as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not you smell a sweetish odor in the urine.

    Long-term Prospects

    • If your cat has kidney disease or even diabetes, the long-term prospects are good for it living a long life. Many forms of kidney disease can be controlled̵2;and in some cases eliminated̵2;with the right regimen of diet and medication, including insulin.