Cat covered in oil.. Help!

[Fanjango]

My cats just turned up outside covered in dirty engine oil. She won't let me get near her and keeps trying to clean herself. She's going to be very ill isn't she? Please tell me she's going to be okay , the kids are horrified

[Fluffycloudland77]

Did you get him clean?

[ChocolateCinderToffee]

I'd put a cone or inflatable collar on him for a start, so he can't lick himself. Then clip his claws and baby shampoo if you haven't got any cat shampoo.

[QuestionableMouse]

Please don't use degreaser from anywhere on him.

Washing up liquid should shift it - they use it on oil covered wildlife for a reason. If that doesn't work then you need a groomer or the vet for him.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Have you tried degreaser from Halfords? Something like that might cut through it. Vets are open tm they should have some ideas.

Has someone done it to harm him on purpose?

[Bondingtimewithcats]

My cat has been covered in oil and we tried so much and nothing is working please help
He's a white brown and black randoll

[SilverOldie]

My cat once jumped up and knocked over a (thankfully cold) chip pan of oil, mostly over himself.

My vet recommended swarfiga but to put cold cream on his bottom to stop it stinging.

I then put him in the bath and washed him thoroughly, followed by tending to my wounds where he had lacerated me and dug his claws deep in my shoulders trying to drag himself out of the bath.

I bathed him a couple of times more (wrapping him in a towel first) and he was fine.

[CrazyOldCatLady]

I'd bring her to the vet to be honest, just to check that she's okay. Then lots of cuddles and treats till she forgets it all. Poor little pet!

[Fanjango]

You are right Delia, I think some treats are in order. She's not coming in the house at the moment, she must think I'm going to bath her again! There still seems to be a little oil round her ears so I may have to bath her again. A plate of tuna may cheer her up

[deliasmithy]

Poor mite.
Feed treats to ensure she doesn't associate you with bad times. They can get cold quickly when bathed but hard to avoid as you don't want to use hot water either.
I have dried mine with the hair dryer before on a low heat setting avoiding the face. They hate the noise but hate being wet even more.

[Fanjango]

She's not oily now, just sort of spikier than she was IYSWIM . She seems well, but off her food a bit. Should I leave it then... I don't want her to hate me as she hates being bathed

[UnrequitedSkink]

Does she seem oily? I think 4 baths will have done the trick and got the worst of it off. She will probably be grubby for a while until new fur replaces the stained stuff but not harmful to herself.

[Fanjango]

Okay so found cat again. She's had three more baths. The vet said to wash her with swarfega and washing up liquid. He said she would need putting out for a more thorough wash if we could not do it but so far I have managed to give her 4 scrubs and still have all my fingers . She's still not back to her fluffy self and the white bits are discoloured but other than that seems okay. Should I carry on bathing her or let time do the rest, she screams quite badly when bathed and trembles for ages, I don't want to upset her more than necessary but not sure when it will be okay to leave...

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Hit chicken from the supermarket counter is the ultimate tempter. When you do get her I would go straight to the vets. Don't panic, but best to be safe.

[cozietoesie]

Good luck. Try roasting some chicken as a last resort. They find that hard to resist.

[Fanjango]

I've seen her but she runs off when I open the door. I'm going to try to tempt her in so I can get her, hope ill get her in today, she'll never get that oil out and she's going to get sick

[cozietoesie]

Fanjango

Cats often like to go under cars to sit - and owners sometimes try to do their own oil changes, including putting drip trays under the cars overnight (or for some hours) to catch the last pint or so.

Do you have anyone in the neighbourhood that looks the type to do their own car maintenance?

Hope you got her in OK.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Did you get her? Even if you did and wash her I would suggest a trip to the vets as often they need gastric protectants for a while to undo the damage oil does.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Did you get her in?

[girliefriend]

Yeah it really takes two to bath a cat me and my 7yo dd have it down to a fine art now.

We run a bath, I get everything ready (towels, shampoo, put marigolds on etc) I creep up on the unsuspecting cat, grab by scruff (he is a Tom and has got one!!) dunk in water, dd in in charge of lathering up and rinsing off with a jug.

Can't think it would be doable on your on. Oh and I don't bath him a lot but he has a habit of getting himself very grubby

[Fanjango]

Thanks for the swarfega tip Hassled . I'll ask the neighbour and see if she comes back.

[Hassled]

I got oil off a cat with Swafega .Here - you get it at any hardware/DIY shop]]. Do you or a neighbour have any?

You'll need an iron will, a towel, gloves, a helper. The Swarfega loosens the oil, then it rinses off easily.

[Fanjango]

I've no idea where she could have gotten so covered . It looks like she fell in a container if oil. Her front half is covered and her back/ tail are fine. She's an escape artist and got out as I tried to get more soap I'm hoping she will dry off a bit and come back looking for food, I'll try to grab her again but don't think she's very happy with me right now

[girliefriend]

Is she outside? How did that happen?

I would leave her alone now to dry off a bit, if really bad she will have to go to the vets to be properly de oiled.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Hope she is ok. Where on earth had she been?

[Fanjango]

Okay I got her and washed her in the bath... Soaped them rinsed twice. She's still quite oily but she's got away again and food/ rustling biscuits isn't working.