I'm currently training an 11-month old intact male Lab for a friend of mine and he is staying with me for two weeks. He had an accident in the house the first day he was here (shame on the trainer, yours truly!) and I noticed how absolutely awful this dog's urine smells. I work in a boarding kennel (40+ dogs on any given day), let's just say that I know pee, and this is pretty potent stuff.

When I potty him outside in my yard I can smell it as he goes. I'm concerned. He is not in pain while he goes, he is not peeing super frequently or infrequently, and there is no blood -- when he had the accident it was on a white linoleum floor so it would've been quite obvious. He's eating Timberwolf dog food, no idea if that would cause anything but I did notice the food itself has quite a strong odor (it's not rancid or anything, it's just quite odiferous!). Could that possibly be the source of this?

I'm also going to see if it gets better with a few days to see if it is stress-related as he is in a new household with a new dog and new people (although he's coping amazingly well).

That's a common symptom of a UTI, no matter whether or not he seems to be urinating frequently or having bloody urine.

I would get a clean catch immediately and drop it off at the vet's for a culture.


A clean catch is when the sample is caught mid-stream so any bacteria around the urethra don't contaminate the sample.

Sounds like your typical, rancid, disgusting, dominant, intact, I AM KING, kind of urine. Whenever a friend's dog comes over, Caleb has to go everywhere he went, and stinks up the whole yard with it. Then, he gets locked up, the other one comes out, and it begins again. When the wind blows a certain way even days later, it brings a not-so-pleasant reminder. I can hardly stand to be outside my house when they're both around. It's unbelievably nasty, and you'd swear they have to keep it in separate chambers, because it seems they only bring it out on special occasions...someone they don't like is visiting...or they're in new place (to conquer). I feel for you.

I agree with Connie on the symptoms of a UTI....also, is he drinking enough water? Some dogs that are not getting enough water will often have strong smelling urine.....

I would still obtain a catch and have it analyzed at the vets office.

 Quote: carol boche

I agree with Connie on the symptoms of a UTI....also, is he drinking enough water? Some dogs that are not getting enough water will often have strong smelling urine.....

I would still obtain a catch and have it analyzed at the vets office.

Yes, while he certainly may be marking new territory (good point), I haven't noticed it smelling "absolutely awful."

I would have a urinalysis done. It's not pricey, and if it IS a UTI, then urine smelling "absolutely awful" could indicate a pretty entrenched bacterial colonization.

JMO.

Would you say it's worse than normal intact male nastiness? Have you asked the owner about it? If it's a problem they're aware of or maybe something new? The Timberwolf shouldn't be causing it. Have you noticed if it's better or worse after a bunch of water?

Hey there Jenni, Billy Goat & Cat piss is rank, but male dog piss? NEVER (unless he ate asparagus)

 Quote: susan tuck

Hey there Jenni, Billy Goat & Cat piss is rank, but male dog piss? NEVER (unless he ate asparagus)

That's my opinion, too.

Smell is subjective, of course, but "absolutely awful" about dog marking smell just isn't the way I'd describe it.

In addition to the good suggestions above, I have been aware of pungent smelling urine due to dehydration or excessive amounts of protein that is not being processed by the kidneys. Sometimes it is the amount of protein in the diet, or a problem with kidney function.

 Quote: Eric Eschmann

In addition to the good suggestions above, I have been aware of pungent smelling urine due to dehydration or excessive amounts of protein that is not being processed by the kidneys. Sometimes it is the amount of protein in the diet, or a problem with kidney function.

Yes, good info, and another point for urinalysis.

The results could indicate a need for blood work, as Eric says. The urinalysis, though, is a good first step.