urine discoloration - What to know about it

Dear Degu holder,

I found your thread about bloody urine, in which users are confused when the urine of your favorites shows changed.
In particular, red discoloration often make the pulse beat briefly higher. Some degu newbie fears the worst at all, because RED is immediately associated with blood.

At the german Degu-Forum, there were always scared degu owners, so I posted a thread where everybody can see what kind of ingredients in animal feed may discolor the urine.

Here's the translation for you
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Red/orange/brown urine => Blood in urine?

There are several color options the urine can change into.
In most cases, however, there is no reason to panic. I could already see themselves as an entirely fresh urine puddle within a few minutes began to discolor. The longer they were exposed to the air, the darker it became.
Some feed components can be induced urine discoloration. These are listed here below:

The following food components can provide reddish discoloration:

Hazelnut leaves / branches
willow branches
Apple tree branches
beetroot
carrot
tomato
dandelion

Note: Even if a food ingredient as a possible cause appears please watch your animals well. Only a combur test can prove beyond doubt whether red or white blood cells in urine are present.
If you are unsure then please take a vet for help.

White-dried urine stains discovered =>what is it?

Different food components contain calcium. Excess calcium that the body can not use is then excreted by the kidneys. This results in a whitish, milky discoloration of urine, who leaves after drying, a white spot.
Following feed ingredients contain much calcium:

nettle
chervil
dandelion
alfalfa
marjoram
oregano
parsley
rosemary
thyme

Note: Even mineral blocks for rodents can cause such white spots

I hope this thread is helpful for some of you
Lovely greetings
Apology