Dogs don’t have the best smell in the world. But when they smell like ammonia things do get worse quickly. Why does my dog smell like urine ammonia? Is there some problem? Usually, it means that there is some issue that manifests in this way. We can say that this smell is a symptom and can be a severe one. Below we will tackle 6 reasons that explain the topic completely.
6 Reasons Why Does My Dog Smell Like Urine Ammonia
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is one issue that can affect all dogs at any moment. This can be a severe problem and your pet will need antibiotics. A dog smells like urine ammonia due to UTI is one of the things you will probably notice first. When that happens treatment should start as soon as possible. You should notice that the symptoms go away as you continue with the treatment. If they remain present, use different medications.
Your pet will display other signs of UTI as well. These include licking the genital area excessively, pain while urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, and even a fishy smell in some cases.
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones can cause this smell in dogs. We can add that some dogs are at a much higher risk of developing these due to liver shunt. It will cause higher levels of ammonia in the urine which will cause the smell. Another issue here is bladder stones. Breeds such as Maltese, pugs, and Yorkshire terriers are at a higher risk of developing bladder stones due to liver shunt.
Other dog breeds can have a gene that will pass to the next generation that causes bladder stones. This is the case with dalmatians and English bulldogs. Bladder stones are usually found in dogs aged 4-5 years. You will notice symptoms (besides ammonia smell) like bloody urine, dark urine, stomach pain, or cloudy urine.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease happens when the tissue in the kidneys starts failing. It will make kidneys less efficient and make filtering waste from the blood impossible. One of the symptoms is the breath that smells like ammonia.
Kidney disease can happen to any dog but older dogs are more prone to the issue. Small dogs can develop this problem at the age of 10-14 years. Bigger dogs can develop it after 7 years of age. The smell of ammonia from the mouth is the first symptom you will probably notice. Other symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, losing weight, pale gums, depression, increased urination, drinking water too much, and lack of appetite.
High Protein Food
Believe it or not, some dogs can end up with the smell of ammonia if they have a diet that is rich in protein. But puppies need this type of diet which can justify the smell when multiple puppies live in a small area. There is no need to do anything if your pet is feeling fine and he likes his food.
Cats Urine
This is one of the rarest and the strangest reasons here and probably not something you will experience. But there were reports of dog owners who are also cat owners! They claim that some cats can pee on dogs. This happens when a dog is inside the crate and a cat is sitting on top of it, urinating on the dog. Perhaps they want to show their power or their authority but it is definitely a strange reason here. If this happens to your dog, try to help him as soon as you can.
Dehydration
When a dog doesn’t drink enough water, he can end up with a urine smell that is much stronger. In addition, the ammonia smell will be present! The urine will be dark in color. Dehydration can be a severe problem. We can see that some medications, kidney disease, and diabetes are common causes. Your pet will also show signs of lethargy, have no appetite, and have skin that loses its elasticity.
Things You Can And Should Do
If you have a dog who smells like urine ammonia, you need to do a couple of things. The first one is to take him to a vet. You don’t know why this smell occurs and it can be harmless or can be severe. A vet will help you and your dog more than you can imagine. A proper treatment will probably solve the issue in a couple of days. A vet can perform blood and urine analysis that will explain the smell and other symptoms.
You can also change the diet of your dog. If this solves the smell issue, you have solved the problem. The diet should be low in protein, low in phosphorus, and also not acidified. Usually, this means that the dog will have more energy and he will feel better.
We also like to add that drinking water is one of the best things here. Dogs who drink plenty of water are at a much lower risk of developing bladder stones and other diseases and problems. If your pet doesn’t like to drink water from his own bowl, look for alternatives. Some dogs like to drink from a plate while others want to do this when outside.
Some dog owners have found that fluid therapy is effective in this case. It is a method of giving fluids under the skin to your pet. Yes, it sounds complicated and problematic but it is a simple process that has a few benefits. Your dog will be better hydrated, he will have more electrolytes and you will help him to remove toxins from the kidneys.
The Final Word
Why does my dog smells like urine ammonia is not a rarer issue that will never happen. We can even say that this is a common symptom. Keep in mind that it is almost always a symptom and not a disease or problem itself. That’s why you need to take him to a vet as soon as you can and you need to start a proper treatment in order to help your pet immediately.
