BS: Of cat fur and motor oil

Subject: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: GUEST,Auxiris
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 01:57 PM

Hello, everyone. . . I know that many of you are owned by cats, so I come to you today for advice. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing motor oil from cat fur ? Have already tried dry shampoo, wet bathing the poor beast and rubbing alcohol, with very limited success. Help !

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 02:02 PM

Shave and a haircut. Poor baby. You don't want him licking the stuff off.
You tried a warm bath with soap? Wrap him well in a towel before submerging and be ready for a fight. Then keep him indoors until totally dry.
Good luck. You may want to increase your life insurance before you start.
Mary

Check with your local gas station - they can recommend something for dissolving the grease but keep in mind you'll still have to wash that off.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Gervase
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 02:05 PM

Ouch! Poor cat.
The main thing is to prevent the cat ingesting the stuff, so any solution is likely to be a little drastic.
First thing, ask a vet, soonest.
On the other hand, a cat we had got soaked in cooking oil - not nearly as unpleasant as motor-oil - and we used loads of french chalk and talcum powder, brushed through the fur to remove the worst, and then subjected the poor little bastard to a blood-heat bath wrapped in a towel and with lashings of baby shampoo.
The cat hated every second of it, and hared off into a far corner of the house for several hours afterwards, but it did seem to shift the oil. Not so much that it didn't stop the cat having the shits for a day or so afterwards so - again - do whatever you can to stop the cat licking the oil off.
Good luck, and get some thick leather gauntlets!

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Amergin
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 02:09 PM

Well, let's see you can try rubbing in corn meal or kitty litter into the fur, because they are great at absorbing oils. Or if that fails try giving the poor baby a bath using dish soap not dishwasher soap, but regular old dish soap. Dish soap nowadays have degreasing agents in it. Hope you get that poor baby cleaned up.

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 02:15 PM

That's exactly what I was going to say, Amergin, corn starch combed through, then a bath with regular old dish soap. OR, ask your vet...where IS JenEllen, she probably has some good ideas.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: rangeroger
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 03:28 PM

This isn't a commercial. Dawn dishwashing liquid is the best of the degreasers.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Gary T
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 05:16 PM

This may be only peripherally helpful in this case, but most kitty litters are made of dried clay, and so are the oil-dry products used in auto shops to absorb oil spills. Might help with the rest of the mess from the incident.

The solvents that readily dissolve motor oil (such as spray carburetor cleaner, spray brake parts cleaner, and gasoline) would likely cause more problems than they solve. You certainly wouldn't want the cat to ingest them, and they'd almost certainly irritate his (her?) skin a lot. Creme-style hand cleaner (one brand is "Goop") might be less dangerous, but it would be a logistical nightmare to apply and rub in thoroughly, and it would still have to be rinsed.

A drying/absorbing agent such as those previously suggested, followed by a warm soapy bath (use lots of soap) and a warm water rinse is probably the best bet.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Micca
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 05:40 PM

Kitty litter is what we use in Labs.for absorbing chemical spills,and will probably remove any "free" oil thats just on the hairs. I would strongly suggest an aplication of VET, as anaesthesia may be necessary, anyone who has ever handled an irate cat( and survived) will know why it may be necessary to knock it out, then a good emulsifier like baby shampoo or very mild detergent and remember you cat wont be waterproof for days and therefoere may catch cold or pneumonia...Wfere is JenEllen when we need her?????

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 05:41 PM

Been there, done that. 3 very bloody people later, we took her to the vet, anethesized, bathed with commercial de-greaser, then animal coat conditioner. Did not have to shave her down. Was MUCH easier to bathe a comatose cat than a fighting one. Nothing quite so pitiful as a wet, comatose cat...........she lived to be soooooo furious. I swear she remembered it all.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Amergin
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 05:49 PM

Oh and Simple Green might work too...used to use that to wipe oil off the bulkheads and decks....it doesnt damage the skin...

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 06:09 PM

There is a product called Solumel made by a company in the States called "Melaleuca"; they also make an antibacterial soap that is the best I have ever used. Oil Of Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil) is good for removing oil and tar, without the harsh chemicals in soaps and solvents. These are natural non toxic remedies, the natural oils in the cats fur will recover faster if you use them. Yours, Aye. Dave (The ancient horse farmer)

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 06:12 PM

Forgot to mention the Antibacterial Soap by Melaleuca also removes Skunk smells from pets in a most efficient manner. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: GUEST,Auxiris
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 06:41 PM

Heartfelt thanks for all the suggestions. . . will try absorbing as much of the crud as possible with corn starch followed by Dawn dish soap (yes we can get that in France), as these two remedies seem the least agressive. If not, will see if I can borrow some guard dog training gear. . .

best,

Aux

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: JenEllen
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 08:19 PM

Is the poor bugger totally soaked? If so, get professional help, like Sorcha said, their memories are loooooong.

If it's just a little spot, use Dawn or even Tide laundry detergent (Tide works great on cows with bloat too...I buy it by the case..)

Before using ANYTHING, check for labels. If it's not safe for children, it's not safe for critters. And for your cat's sake RINSE, RINSE, RINSE....ingestion of the cleaners can be as detrimental to their health as the ingestion of the oil.

Don't use the alcohol again if you can help it, and pet-proof your garage as well as your house. The fur-people can be as bad as kids when it comes to getting into things.

PM me if you have any other questions,

~Elle (thanks Micca for the heads-up)

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 08:34 PM

Mine was a Siamese BitchQueen from Hell to begin with, and she was soaked. The poor kids had tried to clean her up alone while I was gone. The experience did NOT improve her temperment any at all, I can tell you. I actually had a scar for a year or so from a very long gouge in my fore-arm from a hind foot.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Biskit
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 09:17 PM

Being a trucker I'm faced often with removeing grease/oil from arms,hands,face,etc.Dawn for dishes is about the best I've seen. But if you've haven't any experiance at washing cats......well the idea about having it anesthitised(sp)is a REAL good one. Good Luck,-Biskit-

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 09:46 PM

Always remember too, that products for 2 legged people are usually much too strong for the 4 legged ones. If you must use 2-legged products for 4-legs, then dilute them drastically, and yes, always rinse, rinse,rinse. Some kind of vegetable oil (1 tablespoon or less per day) in the food will help a dry coat come back, but don't over do it or you will have a FAT critter.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Helen
Date: 29 Jul 00 - 10:17 PM

Dave (TAM)

Melaleuca/Tea Tree oil and it's related products is wonderful stuff. I have a bottle of tea tree oil handy and use it for almost every cut and skin complaint. It's great for just about everything and can heal small wounds in a lot less time than most other treatments. It takes the itch and heat out of things like cat sctratches etc. As far as I know it started out here in Oz, by a company called Thursday Plantation, but it probably really started as a bush medicine from the Aboriginal/Koori people. I might be wrong about it's origins though, I always thought melaleuca was a native Australian plant, but......

Auxiris, I hope you and the cat are both doing well and that the problem is fixed now.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Micca
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 05:32 AM

I hope the cat is on the mend Auxiris,,
re: Tea tree oil, a friend, acting on the advice of someone who should have known better, while treating a minor injury got some on his todger, he said he learned Irish step dancing in no time flat, and it took ages for the agony and swelling to go down...Be Warned

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: GUEST,Auxiris
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 06:51 AM

Well, I must admit, she wasn't REALLY soaked, but had horrid black greasy spots here and there and a bath did get rid of at least part of the nasty black goo. I did stumble on another remedy: waterproof eye makeup remover, though one has to remove the excess oily residue afterwards and it does work better on short fur (as on ear tips). The problem isn't in our garage but next door, in the form of a truck which the cat in question hid under yesterday because she was surprised by a sudden thunderstorm. Our other cat apparently found a better shelter as he came home clean. . .

On a more humourous note, I saw that this thread is right next to the one about Mrs. Slocomb's pussy. . .

Once again, many, many thanks for all the good advice. I knew I could count of all of you.

cheers,

Aux

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 05:54 PM

Helen. Melaleuca Alternifolia is a native tree of Australia. Captain Cook saw the aborigines using the leaves to make a tea with them (hence the Tea Tree) It helped cure gum disease and was used as an antiseptic antibiotic before penecillin was discovered. The bactericidal function was discovered to cure diabetic gangrene. The oil was acted with ten times more antiseptic bactericide function than carbolic acid. One should check the quality of the oil before buying it. I do not work for Melaleuca but endorse the quality of some of their products. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 06:07 PM

Yeah, I bet Mrs. Slocum would want another approach entirely.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 06:58 PM

Yup - wouldn't try the Goop or corn starch on THAT pussy... not unless you are REALLY perverted (see you at my place, about 12.30 if you are......)

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Barbara
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 10:18 PM

The people who degrease wildfowl after oilspills use Dawn. If it's safe for a bird, it's probably safe for a cat, too.
Blessings,
Barbara, who got the blue acrylic paint racing stripe off her black cat (where she rubbed around my ankles and then the bucket) before it dried, thank goodness.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 10:22 PM

Liz, I'm on my way over.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 10:26 PM

PLace cat in black plastic trash bag with head only exposed. Fill with warm water and some dish detergent. Jostle gently but firmly for twenty minutes or until done or until bleeding all over floor. Place trashbag on patio and duck inside, closing door.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 10:56 PM

I like the suggestion from Amos. I think I have a silly email about giving a cat a bath...you probably got the same one, kat.

Seriously, I work for my husband (veterinarian), and I've learned two things about cats (well, maybe three or four.)

1) Hold them by the scruff of the neck. If you can't get anything to hold on to...look out. If you can hold the scruff, they're probably relaxed. Cat bites are the worst! I've been on antibiotics twice in the last year.

2) I bathe them in a tub with a plastic mesh platform to stand on. Cats seem to like to clinch their little claws into something. Others have suggested a plastic milk crate turned upside down.

3) I heard that cats really do like water, they just hate to have to "do their hair" after a swim!

4) Baby shampoo is a little harsh for cats and dogs. A pet shampoo is better. But then, you're going for a degreasing, so all of the above products are good.

Good luck.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 10:59 PM

...oh yes,

Why did the cat sleep under the old truck?

Because she wanted to get up oily.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: JenEllen
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 11:28 PM

I think I got the same e-mail Mary....about washing the cat in the toilet. BELIEVE ME, I've thought about trying it more than once.

But did you ever hear the story about why cats wash up after they eat instead of before???

~Elle

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 11:33 PM

No, why? Is it like Did you know that veterinarians/chemists/younameit have to wash their hands before they go to the bathroom?

I think the cat email had steps for giving a cat a bath. I'll look it up.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Mbo
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 11:33 PM

I got that one too, Elle! I know ALL about giving cats a bath. My job as "kitty police" is needed in situation like that. My Dad and I are the only ones who can control her. She bites and scratches and takes advantage of my Mom & sisters, but she never touches me or does anything bad when I'm around, because she knows I'm the alpha cat! Or that I'll pick her up and squeeze her and kiss her till she meows!

--Matt (Kitty Police Officer)

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: rangeroger
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 12:28 AM

Just got this e-mail today.

WHERE THE DOG AND CAT COME FROM

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?"
Adam said,"Lord, when I was in the garden, You walked with me every day. Now I do not see you anymore.I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."
And God said," No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot se me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was agood animal. And God was pleased.And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. And Adam said,"Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal." And God said, "No problem.Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you,his name will be a relection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and wasa companion to him and loved him.And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased.And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said,"Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration.Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."
And God said,"No problem!I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat wold not obey Adam.And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being.And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased.And Adam was greatly improved.And Dog was happy. And Cat didn't give a shit one way or the other.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: sophocleese
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 12:39 AM

I once had to give flea baths to five cats. I put two inches of warm water in the bath tub and did each cat in turn. Four of them hated it and protested in various ways but the fifth cat once she got in thought it was fun to walk around the tub splashing the walls and playing with the water. I gave her a small ball to play with in there as well and she chased it around like mad. Next night I was woken up by a strange noise. She'd found a large wooden bead and knocked it into the tub and was chasing it around again.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Grab
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 01:33 PM

A memory from Tomorrow's World, a little while ago. Apparently, the cleanup guys on an oil spill were using straw to tease out bird's feathers, and they found that the straw was absorbing the oil (by capillary action) better than the chemical was dissolving it. So some guy is currently trying to sell these straw-bale booms to cleanup operations, which'll have the big bonus that there's no dangerous chemicals to contend with. Bear in mind that this will probably require liquid oil though, so the kind of tar-spots that your cat's probably got are unlikely to be helped.

Grab.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 02:19 PM

Just imagine the thread the cat would start, if it could.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: JenEllen
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 02:28 PM

Mary;

You'll have to forgive, but this story was told to me by my Nana many, many moons ago. She's a lovely little Englishwoman, and I doubt I'll do this justice...

Why Cats Always Wash After They Eat And Not Before
Way back in the way back, when cats were cats and mice were mice, a hungry little kitten thought that a teensy little mouse might make a nice snack. Cat crept up and pounced, catching TeensyMouse in his paws. TeensyMouse cried, "What are you going to do to me Cat?" And the Cat replied, "Why, sir, I'm going to eat you!"
Whether it be brains or blind luck, TeensyMouse got an idea...."You surely aren't going to eat me before you wash up are you?" he said. To which the cat pondered a minute, cat ettiquete being what it is, and lifted his paw for a lick. TeensyMouse took that very opportunity to dart away.
Cat was right pissed, and made note to tell all of his cat friends about the incident. The CatCouncil voted at their next meeting that all cats must furthermore wash AFTER meals and not before....

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:15 PM

Makes sense to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:48 PM

Day seven. The two legs have devised a new torture for me. They call it 'bathing'. All I know is, they covered me with the cold stuff I drink, put every hair out of place and covered me in sticky stuff I spit up.

Day Eight. Two legs did it again today. Must remember to crap in their shoes. Spit up on kitchen surface. Heh heh heh!

Day Nine. Two legs forgot my yumyums last night. And again, this morning, there were no crunchy bits. That funny basket thing is out again. It smells funny. Crapped in their shoes. May have to do it again, as they are wearing sneakers.

Day Ten. The Bastards! Two legs took me to some strange smelling place where they stuffed a hard cold thing up my bum and squeezed my stomach!! Spit up in car all the way back.... Managed to get the leather seat thing, AND that sticky up thing that stops them rolling away...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: GUEST,CLETUS
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 06:25 PM

I wuzza hopin thizeer thred wuzzabout salads senz the doc tol me I shud eet mor uv em an alla mine have cat fur an motor oil dressin but motor oilz gittin rite ekspensiv.

CLETUS

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 07:02 PM

I know this post is a waste of bandwidth, but I can't help but be amused and amazed. Where else in the whole world, let alone the Internet, could you find out in minutes how to bathe a cat? Where in the world, but Mudcat? LMAO!!

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: rangeroger
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 09:11 PM

Just as long as they are not farting.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: Of cat fur and motor oil
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 06:11 PM

Ah - the farting cat thread, that was a beaut wasn't it.

Well, sad to say, the infamous farting cat of flaming bum got sent to the great kitty litter box in the sky last month. He was a victim of FiV, the feline Aids. He got terribly dehydrated, was on steroids for ages, and in the end, I felt it better for both of us if I didn't keep coming down in the morning to find him stretched paralysed across the living room floor. He was loved up to the end, and is sorely missed.

So watch out for FiV, have your Toms neutered - they are less likely to fight then; it may take gallons of human spit to pass HiV, but with cats, it's much, much easier to catch..... If you hear about it in your neighbourhood, keep your cats in, or discourage visitors who fight.

And yes, his name really did mean 'earwax'.

LTS