Re: High ammonia smell

Question
Hi,  I have 2 cats Lucy and Kirby (both female). I have noticed a very strong ammonia smell coming from their litter box.  Is this something to be concerned about? Otherwise they are eating, playing and sleeping!  Also my Seal Point Siamese, Lucy, has a discharge from her left eye. (i call it leaking)  She seems fine though.  

Answer
Generally, if there's an odor of ammonia, it's because the litter is too old.  If you use clumping litter, it should be scooped daily and dumped, the box sanitized, and refilled with new litter weekly.  I know clumping litters claim to be good for a month, but this leads to odor problems.  If you use regular clay litter, it needs to be dumped and the box sanitized when the litter becomes 30% saturated with urine.  Wood-based, corn cob, and paper-based products should be discarded when the litter remains damp after urination.

However, if the litter boxes are kept clean as recommended, a strong ammonia smell upon urination can be the result of a urinary tract infection or dehydration (and dehydration can be caused by all sorts of problems).  In this case, you should try to pinpoint whose urine has such an odor and get them in for a vet check right away.