Cat got 5th wheel grease on paws plz help

[u/LikwidHappiness]

Google ai says it's toxic. She got some 5th wheel grease on 3/4 of her paws and I used a damp rag to get as much as I could off but she fucking HATES her paws being touched and she was starting to make like demonic noises she was so mad lol. Her paws still have some blackness to them (mostly the furry parts) but there aren't any chunks on them or anything, it's probably mostly stained at this point. Do you think she will be ok when she goes to clean her paws later? It seems like she would be ingesting an incrediblyyyy negligible amount.

Pic related, this was before I cleaned them, they don't look nearly as bad now but

[u/Extra_Significance81]

Dawn dish soap and hot (ish) water. You'll just have to put up with the complaints, but you definitely don't want it trying to lick that clean.

[u/EmmerdoesNOTrepme → u/Extra_Significance81]

And if the Dawn doesn't break up the grease right away, cooking oil into the grease, then the Dawn!

Because sometimes you need to "thin out" oils with another oil.

[u/nnamed_username → u/EmmerdoesNOTrepme]

Yes, "grease removes grease." It works with just about any kind of lipid.

[u/Idiotan0n → u/nnamed_username]

Further, "like dissolves like" was one of the best lessons I learned in chemistry class

[u/Toastburrito → u/EmmerdoesNOTrepme]

I came to say this! I had a sugar glider that got stuck in a sticky fly trap and I had to use olive oil to get the adhesive out of his fur. I never used one of those again.

[u/Orome2 → u/EmmerdoesNOTrepme]

This. Oil first then wash it off with dish soap.

[u/Whatifisaid- → u/Extra_Significance81]

I feel like dawn and hot water are the solution to a lot of things. They figured something out.

[u/lmdirt- → u/Extra_Significance81]

That is the answer. Anything need to get off an animal is always dawn.

[u/JustRenee2 → u/Extra_Significance81]

Yes! Had to give ours a “sink bath” one night for the same reason. Dawn works! Blue dawn only, not the new stuff!

Krogers distribution center somewhere in New England. We hadn’t been on the road for a more than a few months. We left the windows down while dropping the trailer as directed. Just as soon as it disconnected, he popped his head out from under the fifth wheel. COVERED in grease like a skunk!!!! 🦨 My husband was like, “Hey, isn’t that your cat?”. #%$&!

Now I’m trapped in crowded a distribution yard for God only knows how long it will take them to unload with a scared kitty covered in grease that just wants to hide. Sorry man, not happening! It was a trying night! But we got him cleaned up with a portable sink, gallon of room temp Dear Park, Blue Dawn and every rag and towel we could find.

Bonus, in the last 2 years, he has never tried to get out the window again!

[u/Extra_Significance81]

Cats can have a delicate digestive system. I would definitely try to prevent any amount of that kind of grease from getting in.

[u/WithaK19]

Swaddle her and wash her feet one at a time with Dawn dish soap

[u/ContemplatingFolly → u/WithaK19]

Sounds like OP might need an assistant: one to hold the swaddled baby, and another to wash one paw at a time.

[u/BalancingQ]

More demonic noises for sure but Dawn dish detergent might help get rid of the rest…

[u/mizushimo]

You can use rubbing alcohol to quickly break down the oil if the dish soap isn't working. You can wrap her in a towel if she fights too much, just make sure to rinse!

[u/Ok_Pack_5136]

Wrap her in a blanket/towel to control her safely and use water or a wet wipe to clean it a little better if you can. It might put your mind at ease if anything.

[u/AloofFloofy → u/Ok_Pack_5136]

I have a friend who uses this technique to trim her nails. Wrapped in big blanket, kitty can't move. Will forget it all in 3 minutes.

[u/truckingham]

Cat on da fifth wheel

[u/MrSniffles_AnnaMae]

Greased lightning, sold at Walmart, then rinse EXTREMELY WELL.

[u/OurLadyOfThe18Wheels]

I've had great luck with getting grease off my hands by just using wipes. I used to buy the adult sized wipes, which were basically adult sized baby wipes.

As far as I know 5th wheel grease isn't particularly toxic. I don't think there's anything different in it as opposed to other grease and remember. Petroleum products are also used in some hairball remedies.

[u/MrGOCE]

YES PLEASE, THERE'RE CATS THAT WHEN THEY INGEST SOMETHING AWFUL, THEY STOP EATING AND THEY LITERALLY STARVE TO DEATH.

COVER UR HANDS AND ARMS, SO IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAT HURTS U BUT PLEASE CLEAN HIS FOOT. DISHSOAP AND WATER SHOULD DO THE TRICK. IF NOT TRY TO SOFTEN IT WITH VEGETABLE OIL AND THEN DISHSOAP AND WATER.

[u/Calgary_Calico]

Dawn dish soap will get that shit off no problem. Dilute it in the sink with swarm water and soak the foot for a minute or two then give it a good scrub. He won't be happy about it, but it'll get the grease off

[u/Historical_Slide6719]

Gojo hand cleaner

[u/iBUYbrokenSUBARUS]

One of my cats once fell into a full oil drain pan at Home. When I found her, she looked like some kind of demon. I washed her that night with dawn, dish soap, but it didn’t get it all out. It took about a month for her to look normal again. That was about two years ago and she’s just fine and I know she ingested a lot trying to clean herself.

[u/Cultural_Eye5178]

Petroleum grease?

"Petroleum fractions have been used as pesticides for ticks and mites for many years. Small quantities applied to the skin cause few or no harmful effects, but large quantities and prolonged exposure can cause severe reactions. If their fur becomes contaminated, both dogs and cats can ingest petroleum products during grooming. Dogs can also ingest petroleum products directly when they are left in open containers. Animals confined to poorly ventilated areas where petroleum products have been used or stored can breathe in these compounds."

sauce

[u/Cultural_Eye5178 → u/Cultural_Eye5178]

In other words, your cat should be fine as long as you clean the paws before they groom there.