Cats musky odor on towels

Question
Hi, I have two spayed cats, a mom and daughter. Occasionally, I smell a musky scent on a towel which I've left on the floor, or, most recently, on the sheets/blankets on my bed. I live alone, so the odor is from my cat(s). However, this odor is not present everywhere they sleep--just sometimes, and some places.

I would like to know what this odor is and what causes it, both physiologically and behaviorally.

The odor is definitely musky, somewhat unpleasant but not offensive like cat urine is, so it is not "spray."

My cats themselves do not smell like this odor, and neither do their (other) sleeping places so I'm pretty sure it's not just emminating from their fur.

Incidentally, *I* don't smell like this either, so it's not coming from me.

Thanks for your help!

Tom

Answer
Tom,

My guess is that one or the other or both have impacted anal glands, and, when they leak, you can get this type of odor.

I would take them to your vet first and make sure that is the problem.  Your vet can show you how to express anal glands so that the "stuff" does not get all over everything.

Cat spray and cat urine, as you have correctly pointed out, has a specific odor (musk + ammonia). This is very different from the odor you get from impacted anal glands.

Please let me know if this is what turns out to be the problem.

Best regards... Norm.