As a cat owner, you’re likely familiar with the daily scoop. But have you ever stopped to look at the color of your cat’s urine? It might seem strange, but your cat’s pee is a critical window into their internal health.
Normal, healthy cat urine should be a pale, straw-like yellow. When that color changes—becoming darker, redder, or browner—it’s often the first and most visible sign that something is wrong.
This guide will help you understand the cat urine color chart, what each shade means, and when you need to call the veterinarian.
Key Takeaways: Cat Urine Color
- Healthy Urine Is Pale Yellow: The ideal, healthy cat urine should be a clear, pale, straw-like yellow. This is a sign of good hydration and normal kidney function.
- Red, Pink, or Orange = Emergency: Any reddish or pinkish tint is a medical emergency. It almost always indicates blood in the urine (hematuria) from a UTI, bladder stones, or severe inflammation and requires an immediate vet visit.
- Dark Yellow vs. Brown: Dark yellow urine is the most common sign of dehydration, which should be addressed. Brown urine is far more serious and can indicate liver disease, muscle damage, or old blood, warranting an urgent vet visit.
- Cats Hide Sickness: A cat may have brown, red, or dark urine while “acting normal.” Cats are masters at hiding pain and illness. Never ignore a significant, persistent color change; it is always better to be safe and consult your vet.
Cat Urine Color Chart: How to Read the Signs
Here is a simple chart of the most common urine colors and what they typically indicate.
Pale Yellow (Straw-Colored): Normal. This is the color of a healthy, well-hydrated cat.
Dark Yellow / Amber: Caution. Your cat is likely dehydrated. If it persists, it could signal other issues.
Brownish / Dark Brown: Serious. This can indicate severe dehydration, liver problems (bilirubin), or old blood from the kidneys.
Pink / Red / Orange: Medical Emergency. This almost always indicates the presence of blood (hematuria) from a UTI, bladder stones, or inflammation.
Cloudy / Greenish: Concerning. Cloudy urine often points to a urinary tract infection (UTI), while a green tint can be a sign of a severe infection or a bile issue.
Cat Urine Color: What the Shades Mean
Pale Yellow / Straw-Color (Normal)
Dark Yellow
What to do: Ensure your cat has constant access to fresh, clean water. Encourage drinking with a water fountain or by switching to wet food.
When to worry: If the dark yellow urine persists for more than a day, or if it’s paired with lethargy or a lack of appetite, it’s time to see a vet.
Brownish / Amber
What it means: Brown urine can be caused by liver disease (releasing bile pigments, or bilirubin), muscle damage, toxins, or the presence of old, hemolyzed blood (a condition called myoglobinuria).
When to worry: Immediately. Brown urine warrants an urgent call to your veterinarian, even if your cat is acting normally.
Orange, Pink, or Red
What it means: This is a medical emergency. The blood could be coming from anywhere in the urinary tract. Common causes include:
Painful urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Bladder stones or crystals
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), a stress-related bladder inflammation
Trauma or kidney disease
When to worry: Immediately. This is a sign of significant pain and a potentially life-threatening condition (like a blockage).
Cloudy or Greenish
Why Does My Cat Have Brownish or Dark Yellow Pee?
For dark yellow urine in cats, the problem is almost always dehydration. Cats are desert animals by nature and often don’t drink enough water. If their urine is consistently dark, you must increase their water intake.
For cat pee that is brownish, the situation is more critical.
Severe Dehydration: The urine is so concentrated it appears brownish.
Liver Disease: The liver may be leaking bilirubin (a bile pigment) into the bloodstream, which is then filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine, staining it brown.
Old Blood: Blood coming from the kidneys or upper urinary tract may turn brown by the time it is passed.
Toxins: Certain toxins or medications can cause this discoloration.
Do not wait for other symptoms. If your cat’s urine is brown, seek veterinary care.
Pinkish or Red Urine: When to Act Immediately
The pink or red tint is caused by red blood cells in the urine. This is a hallmark sign of inflammation and disease in the lower urinary tract. Your cat is likely in significant pain, even if they are hiding it.
Red Flag: If your cat is straining to pee, visiting the litter box repeatedly with no result, or crying in the box, go to an emergency vet immediately. This could be a urethral blockage, which is common in male cats and can be fatal in less than 24 hours.
Brown Urine but My Cat Is Acting Normal: Should I Worry?
Yes. Absolutely.
Cats are masters at hiding illness and pain. It is a deeply ingrained survival instinct. A cat “acting normal” can still be in the early stages of a serious disease, such as liver failure or kidney disease.
While it’s possible a new food or medication caused the change, you should never assume this. The risk of waiting is too high. A cat with brown urine that seems fine is a cat that needs a vet to run bloodwork and a urinalysis to find the hidden cause.
How to Monitor Your Cat’s Urine Colour & When to See a Vet
Use Light-Colored Litter: A white or light-gray litter can make it easier to spot color changes on the clumps.
Get a Sample: Your vet may give you non-absorbent pellets to temporarily put in a clean litter box, allowing you to collect a liquid sample.
Specialty Litters: Some “health-monitoring” litters change color to indicate potential problems like high acidity or blood.
Observe Behavior: Just as important as cat urine color are the habits around it. Track:
Frequency: Are they going more or less often?
Volume: Are they passing a lot of urine or just tiny drops?
Straining: Are they pushing or crying?
Location: Are they suddenly peeing outside the litter box?
When to See a Vet
Pink, red, orange, or brown urine.
Straining to urinate with no results.
Crying or yowling in the litter box.
Within 24 Hours (Urgent):
Persistently dark yellow urine (despite access to water).
Cloudy or greenish urine.
Any behavioral change, like peeing outside the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cat urine color chart is a visual guide that helps pet owners and veterinarians assess a cat’s health by linking specific urine colors (like pale yellow, dark yellow, red, or brown) to their likely medical causes (like hydration, infection, or liver disease).
What is the ideal cat pee color?
The ideal, healthy cat urine colour is a clear, pale straw yellow. This indicates good hydration and normal kidney function.
Why does my cat’s urine change color overnight?
It’s common for a cat’s first-morning urine to be darker yellow. This is because they haven’t been drinking water while sleeping, so the urine becomes more concentrated. It should lighten to a pale yellow as they drink throughout the day. If it stays dark, they are likely dehydrated.
Can food or medicine affect urine color?
Yes. Certain medications (like B vitamins) can turn urine a bright, almost neon yellow. Some foods can also have a minor effect. Always inform your vet of any new foods, treats, or medications your cat is on if you notice a color change.
Conclusion
Don’t ignore changes. A simple cat urine color chart can be your first line of defense. If you notice any persistent, abnormal color—especially dark yellow, brown, pink, or red—the best rule is always the same: when in doubt, call your vet.
