WTF? Why does my cat smell like dirty feet?

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've googled, I can't see a cause for this. She just smells.

She seems generally well, maybe a bit more chatty than usual. She's oldish, 13 or so, otherwise in good health. No fleas.

Can't believe I am going to ask this but I will:

are we talking musty feet or cheesy feet?

Um ... musty, I guess?

I'm not sure I know the difference. It smelled like normal dirty socks. I was looking for the smelly socks when I realised the problem was the cat ...

Has she been out in your or a neighbour's garden that has valerian growing in it? Cats love rolling in it and they smell of cheesy feet after they have had a good roll.

Is it her breath? She might have a problem with her teeth or gums. I'd take her to the vet in case it was anything serious.

Or has she just rolled in something foul?

Oooh, could be. What does valerian look like?

I think she's smelled like this before. She doesn't seem unwell. DH thought maybe she had an injury somewhere, but I couldn't find anything (and when she's injured, she gets fleas).

She sounds like our cat NQC -same age, chatty but smelly, although ours sometimes smells more like bins TBH. Her nickname is often "Bin Breath".

IME as they get older cats often get "less than fresh" breath

It smells like all of her, her fur, not just her breath.

Sounds like she's been out rolling in something.

Cats go mental for valerian. They roll about and go fat tailed and everything. It is just starting to come up after winter. It is perfectly harmless to the cat (the plants get squished) and they stink to the high heavens of feet. valerian picture

That plant doesn't look familiar, but I don't really 'do' plants, iyswim. That makes sense. She does go outside, there are gardens.

If she's still smelling bad in a while, then I'll get bothered. Thanks!

If she has been grooming herself with smelly breath, the smell will cling to her fur.

Yeah, fair point, she does groom herself a lot. I will nerve myself up to smelling her breath ...

He he he, you're doomed.