Why does pee smell?

Pee, or urine, may have an odor because of a person's diet or health reasons. Diabetes or a urinary tract infection can produce a specific odor in urine. Some foods, such as asparagus may also make a person's urine smell.

People who are suffering from a UTI or kidney stones may notice an ammonia-like odor from their urine. People who have diabetes may notice a sweeter smell, because of the excess sugar the body produces. When people eat asparagus, they may notice a skunk-like smell. That smell comes from an enzyme that breaks down a sulphur compound in asparagus called methyl mercaptan, which produces that odor.