help, quick, - oily cat!

skipsmum

My mostly-white cat has come home dripping in what looks and smells like engine oil.
I have googled and got lots of conflicting advice, but I know the RSPB use something on oily birds that doesnt damage them. Might have been washing up liquid?
Any ideas what it could be?

joannaspanner

Oh dear, our cat used to do this, I used to absorb the oil with some talcum powder, then wash in washing up liquid after the talcum powder has done it's job !!!!

skipsmum

Fab that sounds really sensible, thank you!

joannaspanner

lol let us know how you get on, our cat used to hide under the car, came in stinking of engines and black marks on his white fur, very naughty, but can't get mad at him, too cute!!!!!!!!!

chris_n_tj

Another one for washing up liquid, rub it in neat on the worse parts then make sure you rinse it out well xx

Fosterdog

I also back up the washing up liquid idea, not so sure about the talc though, wouldn't it clump together when you wet it so would make the cleanup messier?

I know a mechanic who swears by sugar and washing up liquid for oil, but I think that's more for the abrasiveness of the sugar but may help break up any really bad clumps of oil and matted fur.

Fire_Fox

Ring your vet or the RSPCA to ask their advice.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Washing up liquid. Rub it in neat and then add warm water. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.


Poor thing.

skipsmum

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Ring your vet or the RSPCA to ask their advice.

Our vet knows this cat only too well and suggested cleaning her under an anasthetic RSPCA just rang and rang.

Didn't have any talc so tried the washing up liquid and sugar option. Its definitely helped a lot. I did the bits she could reach easily first and now I just keep sneaking up on her and doing little bits at a time.

Thanks everyone, for your good advice as usual. :beer:

Fridaycat

I had the same issue a little while ago, here was the great advice I received when I started a similar thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3920099

Dumbe

My cat did something similar once he came in covered from headto toe in something oily and nasty smelling. I remember using baby shampoo ..no idea if you are supposed to .. But it took two of us to bath him,

I chose the baby shampoo as I thought it would be kinder and gentler on his skin.

It took him a day or so to forgive us though ..and I would not advise trying to do the job singled handed