Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Different Causes of Urine Odor?

Rebecca Harkin
Rebecca Harkin

Urine is normally diluted enough to have no odor or only a faintly noticeable odor. Changes in the odor of urine are most often related to food recently consumed, such as asparagus or spices such as garlic or curry, and is not cause for alarm. In other cases, abnormally strong, sweet, or ammonia smelling urine could indicate a medical condition.

Concentrated urine odor that resembles the common household cleaning product ammonia may suggest either a bladder retention problem or possible dehydration. Bladder retention is an inability or reduced ability to urinate. This condition can result in components in the urine, such as ammonia, becoming concentrated enough to produce a strong urine odor when they are released. Dehydration occurs when an insufficient amount of water is consumed. Water is a major component of urine, and lack of water can result in urine that has a higher concentration of waste products and a strong odor.

Asparagus may produce a urine odor.
Asparagus may produce a urine odor.

When urine smells normal but the smell is much stronger than usual, it is often described as pungent. Pungent urine odor can signal dehydration or a urinary tract infection, if bacteria from the infection are picked up by the urine and impart an odor to the waste. Urinary tract infections have also been known to produce foul or even musty smelling urine.

Urinary tract infections have been known to produce foul or even musty smelling urine.
Urinary tract infections have been known to produce foul or even musty smelling urine.

Sweet smelling urine can signal diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. If urine consistently has a characteristically sweet smell, a doctor should be seen to evaluate whether diabetes has developed. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when insulin is not properly regulated and fatty acids are broken down in place of the insulin. In this situation, the process of metabolizing the fatty acids acidifies the blood and ultimately produces sweet smelling urine.

Urine that smells like maple syrup can be an indication of maple syrup urine disease.
Urine that smells like maple syrup can be an indication of maple syrup urine disease.

Urine that smells like maple syrup can signal maple syrup urine disease. This hereditary metabolic disorder is caused when the body is unable to break down some protein parts, leading to a sweet urine odor. Maple syrup urine disease is treated with a special protein-free diet.

Many foods and spices can pass their characteristic odors on to the urine. Asparagus is well known to produce urine with an odd, rotten cabbage smell. Other foods, such as coffee, curry, garlic, and even some breakfast cereals, have also been known to give urine a distinct smell. These odd smells are only temporary and should dissipate after the food is digested and passed.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet
This article reminds me of cat urine odor and how difficult it can be to remove from carpet and other materials. It also has different scents, for example, male cat urine is usually stronger smelling than female cat urine. As a cat lover, I was thrilled when enzyme cleaners became available at most stores that carry pet supplies. Any cleaner with enzymes is the best cat urine odor remover because the enzymes act to neutralize the urine smell. Enzyme cleaners work well on other types of pet messes, too.
Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Asparagus may produce a urine odor.
      By: Tiramisu Studio
      Asparagus may produce a urine odor.
    • Urinary tract infections have been known to produce foul or even musty smelling urine.
      By: joshya
      Urinary tract infections have been known to produce foul or even musty smelling urine.
    • Urine that smells like maple syrup can be an indication of maple syrup urine disease.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Urine that smells like maple syrup can be an indication of maple syrup urine disease.
    • Dehydration occurs when an insufficient amount of water is consumed.
      By: Shakzu
      Dehydration occurs when an insufficient amount of water is consumed.
    • In some cases, sweet-smelling urine indicates that the person has diabetes.
      By: dalaprod
      In some cases, sweet-smelling urine indicates that the person has diabetes.
    • Eating garlic-rich foods can cause urine to smell.
      By: Nik_Merkulov
      Eating garlic-rich foods can cause urine to smell.
    • Urine odor that resembles ammonia may indicate that a patient has a bladder retention problem.
      By: pankajstock123
      Urine odor that resembles ammonia may indicate that a patient has a bladder retention problem.
    • Garlic has been known to give urine a distinct smell.
      By: phasinphoto
      Garlic has been known to give urine a distinct smell.
    • Lack of water can result in urine that has a higher concentration of waste products and a strong odor.
      By: Alexander Gospodinov
      Lack of water can result in urine that has a higher concentration of waste products and a strong odor.