If you’ve been smoking weed for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that sometimes your herb smells like cat pee. It’s not just you: Some strains are more prone to this than others, but if your weed consistently smells like cat piss then it’s not normal—and it’s definitely a sign that something went wrong during the drying process. So what causes this smell?
The Reason Behind the “Cat Pee” Aroma
When it comes to the “cat pee” smell associated with some cannabis strains, the culprits behind this unique aroma are specific terpenes that, when combined, can mimic the sharp, ammonia-like smell characteristic of cat urine. One terpene in particular, p-mentha-1,8-dien-7-al or “nevaleone,” plays a significant role. This compound is known for its potent, nearly overpowering scent.
Another reason for the cat pee-like scent is the concentration and combination of terpenes in a particular strain. Cannabis strains have diverse terpene profiles, and their unique environmental and genetic factors can influence these profiles significantly. Growing conditions, harvest time, and curing processes can all play a part in enhancing or minimizing certain terpene levels in the final product. When the balance tilts towards those with more pungent, ammonia-like odors, the result can be a weed that reminds one strongly of cat urine.
Evolution and Breeding Practices
Selective breeding has allowed cultivators to develop strains with specific terpene profiles, aiming for desired effects and aromas. While the goal is often to enhance sweet, fruity, or earthy smells, the complex interaction between various terpenes can sometimes lead to unexpected results, such as the cat pee aroma.
This odor is not necessarily an indicator of poor quality. In fact, some strains with this distinctive smell are quite potent and sought after for their effects. The aroma does not reflect the strain’s efficacy or the pleasantness of the experience it may provide.
Reasons Why Your Weed Smell Like Cat Pee
Not Cured Properly
Curing is the process of removing chlorophyll from your cannabis, which can help make it taste better and more enjoyable. Curing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether you’re going for the “bud” or the “shake.” If you want to cure your herb properly, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure there’s plenty of airflow in the space where you’ll be curing your weed. This will help prevent mold from forming on any parts of it (and yes, mold is something that might happen if air flow isn’t adequate). Also make sure there aren’t any direct sources of heat nearby—you don’t want to cook them!
- Don’t touch or handle your marijuana too much during its curing process; do nothing more than lightly ruffle through it every day or so with clean hands to check for moisture levels. Too much handling could affect potency and flavor by breaking off trichomes (when this happens they fall into pieces called kief) as well as causing oxidation (which results in an unpleasant smell).
The Wrong Fertilizer
If you’re using a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, it can make your herb smell and taste like cat pee. Cat urine is also high in nitrogen, so if your soil or water has too much nitrogen, it will trigger the familiar scent of feline urine. This means that if you have a plant that’s been growing with too much nitrogen, it will be more likely to produce plants with a strong cat-pee smell and flavor.
Your Herb Is Contaminated
Contamination is a common problem in the cannabis industry, and it can happen to anyone. Contamination can happen during the curing process, when you’re storing your herb or growing it.
If you want to avoid contamination in your weed, always make sure that it’s kept away from cats and dogs because their urine smell will transfer onto the buds. Also don’t forget about mold spores, which can be found anywhere in nature—including on your cannabis plants!
You’re Using a Bad Strain
Some strains of cannabis have a strong odor that resembles cat urine, so if this is happening to you, try switching up your strains!
It’s Been Stored Improperly
If your weed is exposed to moisture or extreme heat, it can start smelling like cat pee. This can happen if the plastic bag has been opened and resealed multiple times, or if the jar has been left in the sun for an extended period of time.
It’s Old
If you’ve left your weed in the jar for too long, it might start to smell like cat pee.
What Does it Mean when your Weed Smells like Ammonia?
When your weed smells like ammonia, it’s a sign that something went wrong during the drying or curing process. You might have dried it too quickly, or you might have used a curing agent that caused the ammonia smell. Either way, it’s not going to affect your buds’ quality—the THC content remains unchanged no matter what happens to the odor.
However, if you want to avoid this problem in future, we recommend keeping your buds in an airtight container for at least two weeks after harvesting them. This will allow them to dry slowly and evenly without any risk of mold forming on them.
It’s also worth noting that some strains are naturally more prone to developing this kind of off-putting odor than others—you’ll want to do some research before you decide which strain is right for you!
How to Remove Weed’s Ammonia Smell
Reason why your weed might have a smell like a cat pee is improper curing. If you don’t dry and cure your buds properly, they can develop an ammonia smell. This is because the chlorophyll in the weed will break down when exposed to too much heat or moisture.
If you notice an ammonia smell coming from your weed, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix it:
-First, make sure that the temperature of your drying room is around 65°F (18°C). Anything higher than this can cause excessive sweating which will lead to bacterial growth on your buds.
-Second – if possible, place your dried buds in an airtight container with an odor absorber such as activated charcoal or baking soda. The odor absorber will help neutralize any ammonia-like smells coming from your bud while also absorbing excess moisture which could lead to mold growth.
Conclusion
While the thought of cannabis smelling like cat pee might seem strange, it’s simply a testament to the plant’s complex and diverse nature. The vast array of terpenes in cannabis can combine in countless ways, occasionally resulting in scents that mimic everyday aromas, including that of cat urine. This uniqueness is part of cannabis’s appeal, illustrating the plant’s incredible versatility and the importance of terpenes in shaping our experiences with it. Whether an aficionado or a casual user, understanding these elements can enrich your appreciation of cannabis and its myriad of sensory experiences.