There are approximately five different PrettyLitter colors that can show up after a cat urinates. A dark yellow or olive green indicates that urine is within the typical range for a healthy cat.
Orange is an indicator of acidity or low urinary pH. It could mean there’s metabolic acidosis or kidney tubular acidosis.
Dark green or blue is related to alkaline levels. Bacteria can cause increased urine pH. And the colors may indicate a urinary tract infection or an increased risk of stone formation.
Red can indicate blood in the cat’s urine. It could mean bladder inflammation, bladder stones, a feline lower urinary tract disorder, or certain types of kidney diseases. Or it could possibly indicate bladder cancer or renal hematuria.
If the litter turns orange, dark green, blue, or red after your cat urinates, we recommend calling your veterinarian to describe what’s happening. If you notice symptoms, a professional can help you decipher the cause and determine whether you need a visit to the vet.
It’s important to remember that monitoring your cat’s health from home is a nice-to-have, but even with a tested product like PrettyLitter, we can’t jump to conclusions. In other words, stay calm and don’t panic if your cat’s urine appears red in the litter. While it may indicate blood, you should do more tests at a vet to determine if there’s a serious illness. Having multiple instances of the color also rules out other environmental causes of something chronic, such as getting into some human food or trying out new treats.