Why Does Your Pee Smell? 7 Common Causes

Common Causes of Smelly Urine

Urine smell can change due to food, dehydration, or health conditions. Below are the seven most common causes and what they might mean for your body.

1. Dehydration

When you drink too little water, your urine becomes darker and smells stronger. The kidneys remove waste more slowly, which increases the concentration of chemicals such as urea and ammonia.

If your pee looks dark yellow and smells sharp or “stale,” it often means your body needs more fluids. You can drink water throughout the day torestore a clear, mild-smelling color.

Tip: A healthy person should drink about 1.5-2 liters of fluids per day, depending on weather, activity level, and body size.

2. Certain Foods and Drinks

Many foods and drinks naturally affect urine smell. This is one of the most common and harmless reasons your pee might have a strange odor.

Common examples include:

• Asparagus - contains sulfur compounds that create a strong, distinct smell.
• Coffee - can make urine smell sweet or bitter due to caffeine and natural oils.
• Garlic or onions - have sulfur-based compounds that pass into urine.
• Fish and spices - may cause a salty or sour scent in some people.

The odor usually fades within hours once your body processes these foods. If it continues for days, check your hydration or consult a doctor.

3. Medications and Supplements

Certain supplements or over-the-counter products can also change how your urine smells. They often contain compounds that pass through the kidneys and alter urine’s color or scent.

For example, vitamin B-complex and vitamin D supplements can make urine smell stronger or slightly metallic, while multivitamins can add a noticeable odor due to their concentrated ingredients.

This is not dangerous, but it’s worth noticing if the smell starts soon after a new supplement. Always read product labels carefully, and if the change in odor bothers you or lasts too long, discuss it with a healthcare provider.

4. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection is one of the most common medical reasons for strong-smelling urine. Bacteria in the bladder or urethra release waste that causes a foul or ammonia-like odor.

Other symptoms include:

• Pain or burning during urination.
• Feeling the need to pee often, even when the bladder is nearly empty.
• Cloudy or dark urine.
• Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen.

UTIs can spread to the kidneys and cause more serious problems if untreated.

5. Diabetes and Sweet-Smelling Urine

A sweet or fruity smell in urine can signal high blood sugar levels. When your body cannot process glucose properly, sugar passes into your urine, creating this scent.

This may happen in people with undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes. Other signs include constant thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained tiredness.

6. Liver or Metabolic Disorders

A musty or fishy odor can sometimes indicate liver disease or rare metabolic conditions. The liver filters toxins from your blood, so if it isn’t working properly, waste may build up and affect the smell of your urine.

Though this cause is less common, it’s important to get tested if you notice a long-lasting odor that doesn’t change with diet or hydration.

7. Pregnancy

Hormone changes during pregnancy can make your urine smell stronger or slightly different. The smell can also become sharper if you are dehydrated or taking prenatal vitamins.

Urine can also become slightly cloudy during pregnancy. This is usually harmless, but pregnant individuals should report any strong or unusual odor to their doctor to rule out infection.

Types of Urine Smell and What They Mean

To make it easier to identify the cause, here’s a quick overview of common urine odors and what they might indicate:

If you’re still unsure what’s causing the smell of your urine, you can try the Docus AI Symptom Checker. It can help you understand possible causes before you visit your doctor.

When to See a Doctor

Most of the time, smelly urine goes away on its own once you drink more water or change your diet. However, there are times when a strong or strange odor should not be ignored.

If the smell lasts more than three days or keeps coming back, it’s best to see a doctor. A bad or sour odor that appears with pain, burning, or blood in the urine could signal an infection. You may also notice fever, chills, or back pain, signs that the infection might have reached the kidneys.

Another warning sign is a sweet or fruity smell with increased thirst or tiredness, which may point to diabetes. If urine turns dark and smells musty or fishy, it could relate to liver function.

Some people delay seeing a doctor out of embarrassment, but remember that urine changes are common, and doctors treat these issues daily. Early diagnosis is simple and prevents complications later.

How Doctors Diagnose the Cause

A doctor will first ask about your diet, water intake, and any new medications or supplements. Then, one or more of these tests may follow to find the reason for unusual urine odor:

• Urinalysis: checks color, pH, and the presence of blood or bacteria.
• Urine culture: identifies the exact type of bacteria if infection is suspected.
• Blood tests: measure sugar, kidney, or liver function.
• Imaging tests: such as ultrasound, to detect stones or blockages in the urinary tract.

These simple checks often reveal the cause in just a few days.

What Does a Doctor Check for in a Urine Test?

During a urine test, doctors look for several markers:

• Bacteria and white blood cells - signs of infection.
• Glucose or ketones - indicators of diabetes or poor sugar control.
• Protein - may suggest kidney strain.
• Color and concentration - reveal hydration level and general health.

Most results are available quickly, helping your doctor plan the right treatment or lifestyle advice.

How to Get Rid of Smelly Urine at Home (For Mild Cases)

In most mild cases, urine odor improves with simple changes to daily habits. These steps help your body flush out waste, reduce odor, and support healthy kidney function, all without the need for medication.

Start by drinking more water. Proper hydration helps your kidneys filter toxins and keeps urine light in color. Aim to drink a glass of water every two to three hours during the day. Add water-rich fruits such as oranges, melon, or cucumber to your meals for extra hydration.

If you notice a direct link between certain foods and stronger odor, try to limit them. Common triggers include asparagus, onions, garlic, strong spices, and coffee. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine also helps, as they can dehydrate your body and make urine more concentrated.

Good hygiene plays a key role as well. Wash the genital area daily with mild soap and water, and wear clean, breathable underwear. Avoid holding urine for long periods, doing so allows bacteria to grow and increases the chance of irritation or infection.

A balanced diet helps too. Reduce processed and high-sodium foods, and get enough sleep to support your liver and kidney function. These small lifestyle changes can make a visible difference within just a few days.

If the smell does not improve, or if you have pain, burning, fever, or cloudy urine, contact your doctor. Persistent or strong odor may signal infection or another medical condition that needs treatment.