That strong "cat pee" smell (ammonia) down there often comes from concentrated urine, sweat, vaginal bacteria (like BV), dehydration, diet, or sometimes a urinary tract infection (UTI), but it can also be due to hygiene, menstrual products, incontinence, or STIs; if it persists, has unusual discharge, itching, or burning, see a doctor to rule out infections or other issues.
Drink plenty of water.
Your vagina may have a strong ammonia smell if you're dehydrated. Without enough water, the waste material in your urine can become especially concentrated and foul-smelling. Water can help with hydration and eliminate the smell.
If you detect a hint of ammonia in your urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder. Urine showing signs of a UTI may also be cloudy or even a bit bloody.
Phantom odors like cat urine scent without a source may indicate phantosmia, often caused by sinus infections, allergies, or nasal irritation. Symptoms include stuffy nose and sneezing. Treatment involves addressing underlying causes such as allergies with antihistamines or sinus infections with appropriate medication.
If the enzyme is missing or its activity is reduced because of a variant in the FMO3 gene, trimethylamine is not processed properly and can build up in the body. As excess trimethylamine is released in a person's sweat, urine, and breath, it causes the odor characteristic of trimethylaminuria.
Cat waste, especially urine, can create strong odors if left too long. By cleaning the box frequently, you prevent the buildup of bacteria and odors. Aim to scoop at least once a day, ideally more, depending on how many cats you have and the size of the litter box.
When the liver is unable to properly filter toxins from the blood, these substances can be excreted through the body, causing a distinctive smell known as fetor hepaticus. Kidney disease: An ammonia smell to your breath (sometimes described as fishy or like urine) can indicate kidney disease.
The most common reason for a vagina to smell like ammonia is often related to urine, particularly if there is residual urine on the skin or underwear, which can happen due to improper wiping or slight incontinence. This ammonia-like odor can also be influenced by dietary factors, dehydration, or bacterial overgrowth.
One sign that you possibly have diabetes or high blood sugar is urine that smells sweet or fruity. The sweetness comes from sugar in your urine and is a sign your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood.
Smells Like Cat Pee But No Cat?
A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs.
Urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and liver issues are more serious causes of urine smelling like ammonia. These conditions are typically accompanied by additional symptoms and should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Sometimes, what you're smelling through your pants isn't your vagina: It's pee. “Some people just have very concentrated urine,” Dr. Goje says. “If you didn't wipe completely, you can be left with a lingering smell.”
Urinary incontinence or a urinary tract infection (UTI) may make your vagina smell like bleach. A bleach-like vaginal odour might smell like ammonia or cleaning products. If your vagina smells like bleach, it's not normally your vagina you are smelling, but the smell of your pee caused by an infection.
Dark or smelly urine - This could be a sign of a kidney infection or something serious, or Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or a UTI. A secretion or discharge from the genitals - This is a common symptom of Gonorrhea or Chlamydia.
Explanation. Your body naturally produces vaginal discharge to help clean and protect your vagina. Sometimes, this discharge might have a smell that reminds you of urine. One common reason is that urine can mix with the vaginal secretions, e.g. from some residual urine after urination.
There are three types of ketone bodies present in the blood in ketosis: acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone. Acetone is responsible for the fruity odor. People often describe the odor as smelling like nail polish remover, which often contains acetone as a solvent.
It's normal to have a small amount of sugar in your pee. But if urine (pee) test results show more than 0.25 mg/ml of glucose, that's glycosuria. Sometimes, glycosuria is a symptom of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). But it can also happen in people with normal or low blood sugar levels.
Kidney failure can make urine smell strongly of ammonia or have a fishy odor, often due to built-up waste products (amines) or infection, signaling concentrated urine from dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Other signs alongside bad-smelling urine include foamy, bloody, or cola-colored urine, swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination, all pointing to potential kidney issues that require a doctor's evaluation.
If you're noticing an unusual smell like a fishy odor, you should see your health care team to get this checked out. If gynecologists detect an odor, they will take a swab to find out what's going on to determine the best treatment.
Multiple things can cause your house to smell like cat urine, even if you don't have a cat. Investigate if there is mould, leaking Freon, sewer gases, smelly plants, spoiled food, or even stains from previous pet owners.
Sweat and urine
The groin is a hotspot for sweat glands (apocrine glands), and sweat contains compounds like urea, also found in urine. If sweat or a small amount of urine gets trapped in your underwear or on your skin, bacteria can break it down, creating an ammonia odor.
Some foods and medicines, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause urine odor, even in small amounts. Sometimes, urine odor points to a medical condition or disease, such as: Bacterial vaginosis (irritation of the vagina) Bladder infection.
Therefore, perhaps a lack of vitamin D leads to neurological decline of the central and peripheral nervous system, including the cranial nerves, leading to reduced olfaction. The issue of reduced olfaction with vitamin D deficiency is not just an issue of mechanistic interest.
Sometimes, an ammonia scent in your sweat can be a message from your body about underlying health issues. Conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperhidrosis can affect how your body processes waste, leading to an intense ammonia smell.