Kitty Ketosis?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

A couple of weeks ago, my husband got me a kitten for our anniversary. I’ve never had a cat before. So I got him a kitty box, scratching post, etc. and we’ve been having the best time getting to know him. The only problem is that the past few days I keep getting whiffs of ammonia when I walk by his corner of the kitchen. The kitty is the only thing that's different in the house. I’ve got him on a raw meat diet and I’ve been reading a lot about ketosis. It makes sense to me that he might be smelling like ammonia because his diet is so low carb. Should I add some vegetables to his food? I want to be a good mommy for him!

Dark_Roast

I've heard eating bananas will put you in ketosis. do you have any in the house?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I've heard eating bananas will put you in ketosis. do you have any in the house?

We do have bananas sitting on the counter. I haven't noticed any missing though.

Admiral_Derp

Linked below is an article about ketosis in dairy cows. I know that cats and cows are different, but considering that they're both animals, I'm sure some of the science will transfer. Hope it provides some insight!

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/animal-diseases/beef-and-dairy-cows/acetonaemia-ketosis-of-dairy-cows

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

My sister uses peas for her cat's diet. She has a special Siamese show cat that she keeps on a special diet of raw chicken liver and ground lamb, so the addition of sweet peas is great at preventing the ammonia odor.

Dark_Roast

I've heard eating bananas will put you in ketosis. do you have any in the house?

We do have bananas sitting on the counter. I haven't noticed any missing though.

It might be hard for a kitten to peel one anyways. A full grown cat wouldn't have any problems, but a kitten, I don't know.

SueGremlin

Are you smelling his litterbox? Ammonia smell in urine is normal.

TimeForMe99

If you really want to be a good kitty mommy don't make him wear that silly hat. All the other cats are laughing at him. :laugh:

SueGremlin

nevermind

SueGremlin

If you really want to be a good kitty mommy don't make him wear that silly hat. All the other cats are laughing at him. :laugh:

So I just embarrassed myself answering a joke question in a serious manner, didn't I?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

If you really want to be a good kitty mommy don't make him wear that silly hat. All the other cats are laughing at him. :laugh:

My husband crocheted it for him. His name is Mad Max.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Are you smelling his litterbox? Ammonia smell in urine is normal.

Ammonia is a common smell associated with ketosis. Here's an article I read about it.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/ammonia-smell-during-exercise-on-ketogenic-diet-qa.html

cmriverside

If you really want to be a good kitty mommy don't make him wear that silly hat. All the other cats are laughing at him. :laugh:

My cats like to dress up.

SueGremlin

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LoraF83

My sister uses peas for her cat's diet. She has a special Siamese show cat that she keeps on a special diet of raw chicken liver and ground lamb, so the addition of sweet peas is great at preventing the ammonia odor.

Peas are ok, until the cat eats too much of them. Then, you're going to get some nasty green surprises in the litterbox.

Maybe try some squash or pumpkin?

whierd

Your cat may be injesting meat ketones, a substance occuring naturally in all meats. This will cause your cat to produce ammonia at an alarming rate and saturate its fur. However, cats make excellent mops in this state so attaching it to a handle will give you a self-cleaning mop!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Are you smelling his litterbox? Ammonia smell in urine is normal.

Ammonia is a common smell associated with ketosis. Here's an article I read about it.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/ammonia-smell-during-exercise-on-ketogenic-diet-qa.html

Ammonia also occurs when urine hits the air.

If you don't believe me, talk to your veterinarian about it. What you feed your cat is important. Reading stuff on the internet about human metabolism and trying to apply it to a cat can hurt your cat.

I don't think that's it. I bought the litter that is formulated to prevent the smell. I'm pretty sure it's ketosis.

beachlover317

My sister uses peas for her cat's diet. She has a special Siamese show cat that she keeps on a special diet of raw chicken liver and ground lamb, so the addition of sweet peas is great at preventing the ammonia odor.

Peas are ok, until the cat eats too much of them. Then, you're going to get some nasty green surprises in the litterbox.

Maybe try some squash or pumpkin?

Why would orange poop be better than green poop?

SueGremlin

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axialmeow

Is he neutered?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Is he neutered?

The vet said we had to wait until he was six months old to get him neutered. He's only 4 months now.

whierd

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Ooo can I train him to do that? It would save a lot of money on swiffer refills.

whierd

Yeah, use catnip to sedate him and put microfiber clothes on the end of the handle to attach him naturally (clean attaching).

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Yeah, use catnip to sedate him and put microfiber clothes on the end of the handle to attach him naturally (clean attaching).

Catnip is a carb right? Maybe that could help with my problem.

_SABOTEUR_

Are you smelling his litterbox? Ammonia smell in urine is normal.

That smell is better than sex.

bookyeti

Cats are *strictly* carnivores... very different from dogs in their nutritional needs.

Cats nutritional needs are met by the consumption of animal-based proteins (meat/organs). They lack specific enzymes that break down plant-based proteins as efficiently as animal proteins. So it's best not to give our feline friends carbs (grains, veggies) as their systems don't process them very well. That's where a lot of pet food companies fail our cats - because plant proteins are cheaper than meat proteins, these companies will have a higher profit margin when using corn, wheat, soy, rice, etc. These plant-based fillers are not great for our cats. Best to feed a raw meat diet, or to look for a wet canned food with high animal-based protein content as it's FIRST ingredient listed... which, sadly enough, is not as easy as you may think, even when it comes to more expensive brands of cat food.

It's excellent you've got your cat on a raw meat diet. Probably one of the best things for him.

Of course, a bit of catnip or cat grass now and then is not harmful. Cat's don't eat grass for its nutritional value. (Grass is pretty indigestible to cats, and low in nourishment anyway.) However, it can help a cat's digestive process by inducing regurgitation of undigested matter. YAY! ;-)

Cat urine does smell of ammonia, whether it's from a male or female cat, neutered or not neutered. Male cats, however, tend to spray (territory) and that can smell like that too. If his litter box isn't in "his corner" and you're smelling that cat pee smell, it's mostly likely you're smelling his spray. I've never owned a male cat (all mine have been female), but I've learned that you can try to train male cats not to spray. If you catch him doing it, squirt him with some water from a spraybottle or say "NO" very loudly and clap your hands. Either option will startle him and he will grow to associate spraying with being startled.

BurtHuttz

I'm not certain about the health implications but I know cat urine is very good for cleaning windows.

_SABOTEUR_

I'm not certain about the health implications but I know cat urine is very good for cleaning windows.

It's also the key ingredient in Dr Oz's next miracle product.

Dark_Roast

I'm not certain about the health implications but I know cat urine is very good for cleaning windows.

It's also the key ingredient in Dr Oz's next miracle product.

Shhhh! He won't get any money if you give his ideas away!

cmriverside

I'm not certain about the health implications but I know cat urine is very good for cleaning windows.

Interesting, if not smelly. How does one collect enough of it to use for this revolting window cleaning technique?