Why Does My Cat Smell Like Maple Syrup? 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

January 17, 2024

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A cat that smells like maple syrup could sound nice, however in actuality, it could possibly be an indicator of a medical concern. If your cat smells like maple syrup, we’re glad you’re right here as a result of we are going to focus on the three attainable causes your cat smells adequate to placed on pancakes.

The 3 Reasons Your Cat May Smell Like Maple Syrup

1. Diabetes Mellitus

It’s estimated that 0.2% to 1% of cats might be identified with diabetes of their lifetime.1 Some cats are extra in danger than others, with cat weight problems being a main purpose cats develop the illness.

There are two frequent sorts of diabetes: sort I and sort II. Type I diabetes is the place the pancreas is unable to provide insulin (canines normally endure from any such diabetes). Type II diabetes (which is the most typical sort of diabetes present in felines) refers to an insulin deficiency wherein the pancreas produces adequate quantities of insulin; nonetheless, the tissues aren’t in a position to make use of it for glucose metabolism.

A cat with diabetes that’s undiagnosed and subsequently untreated, or a cat that’s on therapy however whose therapy turns into inadequate (normally because of one other illness course of growing the physique’s want for extra glucose) can enter a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This is a extreme and life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus and requires pressing veterinary care. Cats which can be coming into a state of DKA can emit an uncommon, sweet-smelling scent from the breath because of ketone manufacturing (fashioned from the breakdown of fats instead power supply), which is why some cats could scent like maple syrup with the situation. Sweet-smelling breath gained’t be the one signal of a cat in DKA; different indicators could also be an absence of urge for food, lethargy, vomiting, weight reduction and a rise in consuming and urination. If you discover something that signifies your cat isn’t properly, make an appointment together with your vet as quickly as attainable.

vet petting the cat and talking to the owner Image Credit: Stock-Asso, Shutterstock

2. Chronic Kidney Disease

If your cat suffers from power kidney illness (CKD), a candy odor might emit from the mouth, or it might trigger extra of an disagreeable ammonia odor. This illness is extra typically seen in mature and senior cats and impacts an estimated 30–40% of cats over 10 years of age. It’s estimated that 81% of cats identified with power kidney illness are over 15 years of age, however cats youthful than 10 years of age have been identified.2

Chronic kidney illness is a gradual deterioration of the perform of the kidneys. Over time the kidneys can now not effectively take away waste merchandise from the blood, nor can they play their half in concentrating the cat’s urine, so {that a} bigger quantity of inappropriately dilute urine is produced, inflicting the cat to grow to be severely dehydrated. With the construct up of waste merchandise within the blood comes a situation often called uremia, which is normally an indication of end-stage kidney illness. The urea within the blood can typically trigger a cat’s breath to scent barely candy, however in an disagreeable manner.

cat with kidney failure Image Credit: Lost_in_translation, Shutterstock

3. Skin Conditions

It’s not at all times a cat’s breath that will scent like maple syrup; the fur may emit this candy odor and could possibly be out of your cat merely brushing up towards one thing that smells candy.

Yeast infections can alter a cat’s physique odor as properly, with sure bacterial infections being extra of the reason for a candy scent. If you scent this candy odor in your cat’s fur, take them to the vet, because the an infection could properly want therapy. It may be that the pores and skin situation is secondary to a extra systemic (entire physique) illness which is able to want diagnosing and treating as quickly as attainable.

Image Credit: Yaya Photos, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Diabetes is by far the most typical purpose a cat can develop a maple syrup scent. When researching this concern, chances are you’ll discover a attainable clarification: Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), a illness that forestalls the physique from processing sure amino acids, inflicting a dangerous buildup of gear within the blood and urine. However, we discovered no identified instances of cats creating this uncommon illness, solely people and cattle.

Kidney and urinary issues will also be the reason for the candy odor. The key takeaway is to take your cat for a checkup if you happen to scent this candy scent, because it could possibly be one thing critical happening that must be addressed instantly.

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