Today I noticed that Rocky's urine smelled a little like amonia. It has never had that odor before, and I was wondering if this is the sign of something. He does not appear to be acting any differently and he looks fine, but I was just curious if this is something I should be concerned with. As always, any ideas/suggestions that you may provide are appreciated.

Thank you!

-- Doreen

I've never ran across that one before!
The liquid part of Zok's urine basicly has no smell at all.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

my cats smell like ammonia when they pee. I wonder if its a dehydration sign?

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Concentrated uric acids could have an odor I suppose. I too have never encountered an ammonia scent though with iguanas.

Concentrated uric acid would be an indicator of an iguana that needs hydrating.

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I wish I knew, Dizzy only goes in water so I don't ever really smell anything, but I suppose as the case is with most mammals foul smelling urine might be an indicator of some sort of imbalance.

Trying to up his hydration would be my first thought since most iguanas are chronically dehydrated anyway.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Okay...I will make sure he is getting plenty of water. He hasn't eaten at all today, but I think I aill give him a bath and see if he drinks any of the tub water...Thanks for all your comments...

How can you try to get your iguana to get more fluids?

Soak the greens REALLY well before you serve them to him in cool water (don't cook them). I actually dissolve the vitamins when appropriate in some water, then soak the greens and leave some of the water in the dish with the greens. Not only will he get hydrated from the greens, but he gets a little of that extra water while he's eating.

Also check your humidity levels. He may get dehydrated if you don't have enough humidity.

Make sure he always has a large bowl of fresh, clean water, too.

I also usually take a few minutes a day to mist down my iguana and his cage. He seems to enjoy this, and usually gives me a "hey I didn't tell you you could stop!" look when I get done.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

By rinsing the greens till they are wet and feeding them in a dish that has standing water so that the ig gets a bit of water in its mouth with each bite.
You can also use RepCal Iguana pellets that have been sitting soaking up water for several minutes as a supplement along with the greens. They will soak up water like a sponge!
You are confusing humidity and hydration, and its a common mistake.
Having the proper humidity is great for their skin and lung tissues, but really has nothing to do with dehydration. Hydration has to do with the amount of fluid that is taken into the body. You can have picture perfect humidity and still have a dehydrated animal.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I add a ice cube or two in the feeding bowl that way the greens stay fresh for longer and it melts to add water to the greens.