Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Normal urine in dogs and cats is pale to medium yellow and clear. Very pale urine can mean your pet is drinking a lot, which can point to kidney disease, diabetes, or hormone problems. Dark yellow usually means concentrated urine. Red, pink, brown, or orange urine can signal blood, liver disease, muscle damage, or poisoning and should be checked promptly. Color is only a clue: a urinalysis at your vet’s office gives the real answer.
What urine colors can mean
Pale yellow to yellow
Normal.
Clear or almost colorless
Dilute urine. It can be normal after drinking a lot, but if it’s constant and your pet is drinking and urinating more than usual, it can point to kidney disease, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism (in cats), or other conditions.
Dark yellow or amber
Concentrated urine, often from not drinking enough or from dehydration. First-morning urine is often darker.
Orange
Very concentrated urine, some medications, or bilirubin, which can signal liver disease or red blood cell destruction. Check for yellow gums or eyes.
Red or pink
Usually blood. Common causes are bladder inflammation, infection, stones, and in cats, feline idiopathic cystitis. Tumors, trauma, and bleeding disorders such as rat poison are other possibilities.
Brown or dark red-brown
Can mean broken-down red blood cells or muscle damage, or poisoning. In cats, acetaminophen and onion poisoning can turn urine brown. This needs a vet urgently.
Cloudy
Crystals, white blood cells, bacteria, or mucus. Often seen with infection or crystals.
Green or blue
Uncommon. Usually caused by certain medications, dyes, or rarely bile pigment or specific infections. Ask your vet.
When to see a vet
- Emergency: straining with little or no urine (especially male cats), brown urine, red urine with weakness or pale gums, or any color change after a possible toxin exposure.
- Same day or next day: blood in urine, frequent urination, accidents, or strong-smelling cloudy urine.
- Soon: drinking and urinating more than usual, or constantly pale urine.
What a urinalysis checks
- Urine specific gravity: how concentrated the urine is, a key test of kidney function
- Chemistry dipstick: protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, and pH
- Microscope exam: cells, crystals, bacteria, and casts
- Urine culture if infection is suspected, ideally from a sterile sample taken with a needle
How to collect a urine sample
- Dogs: hold a clean, shallow container or ladle in the stream mid-flow and pour it into a clean, sealed container.
- Cats: use an empty, clean litter box with non-absorbent litter beads or clean aquarium gravel, available from your vet.
- Freshness matters: bring it within an hour if you can, or refrigerate it for a few hours. Old samples can give misleading results.
- Ask your vet first: for cultures, the clinic may prefer to collect a sterile sample.
Frequently asked questions
Can food change my pet’s urine color?
Occasionally. Some treats, dyes, and B vitamins can tint urine. If the color change lasts or comes with other signs, see your vet.
Why does my cat’s urine smell so strong?
Cat urine is naturally concentrated and strong-smelling, especially in intact males. A sudden change in smell can point to infection or other problems.
Is foamy urine a concern?
Some foam from a strong stream is normal. Persistently foamy urine can mean protein in the urine, which your vet can test for.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Urinalysis
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Hematuria and discolored urine in small animals
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline lower urinary tract disease
- International Renal Interest Society (IRIS): Urine specific gravity and proteinuria in CKD staging
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.