Sometimes, even with all the care you have for your cat, they manage to get some kind of wax or cream in their fur. Whether it is from bath time, grooming, or just nature, many things can give off natural oils that eventually end up stuck in cats’ coats.
When this happens, the coat becomes slightly dry and flaky. This is usually not a big deal unless the oil is actually coming out and being exposed to the air. If you notice your pet looking more pale and drawn than normal, then should be concerned.
Fortunately, getting rid of the excess wax is easy! You will need a few tools and recipes to do so, and most are very cheap or free. Fortunately, we have gathered several helpful tips here for you to try.
Use acetone
Acetone is a common ingredient used in many types of products, including cleaning wax out of hair and skin. When using acetone as a wash for cat fur, make sure you do not use too much of it or it could strip away some of the protective layer that cats build up around their hairs and risk exposure to your dog or other animals or yourself if they are exposed to infectious agents or allergens.
However, when using acetone to remove wax from cat fur, make sure to scrape off all of the excess acetone before applying the next step, so it does not just rinse off into the environment or onto another area of the animal’s coat. Also, be careful not to apply the solution directly onto the bare skin of the cat because this may cause an allergic reaction!
After each round of washing with acetone, let the cat air-dry completely before moving on to the next stage. You can also use a blow dryer to help speed up this process. Once dried, repeat these steps until no more froth comes out when the cat is pressed down.
Use denatured alcohol
For many, their beloved cat is the most important part of their life. They spend lots of time with them, and they want to keep them as happy and healthy as possible.
If your loved one has lost all of its fur due to wax accumulation, there are things you can do to get it out. Using denatured alcohol is one of the best ways to go about this.
Denatured alcohol is a clear liquid that cannot be drunk. It will instead evaporate, leaving no residue in the area where it was applied.
It works by breaking down the oils in the affected areas- including fat from the skin. Once it does this, the oil will eventually dry up and come off. This helps reduce the uncomfortable feeling caused by the wax buildup.
When applying alcohol to any animal’s coat, make sure to only apply enough so that it just touches the surface of the fur. No deeper than 1–2 inches!
Your cat may try to lick his or her own hair away while licking the alcohol’s impact, so prepare for this by having someone watch over him or her while he or she adjusts.
After the alcohol has dried up and gone, have someone wash the fur using a strong boxy brush or comb to remove the rest of the wax.
Use hair spray
One important thing to do is use a good hairspray or gel to help prevent wax from re-solidifying. You can find many brands that contain silica which helps keep the fur soft and fluffable!
Some people believe this ingredient is harmful for cats, but there are never any reports of it doing anything bad to a cat’s health. Some say it may have an effect on skin and internal conditions though, so you should be careful how much you apply.
You can also wash your pet in a powdery shampoo if necessary, but only try this one out as a test run first since some people feel they don’t work.
Use water
One of the biggest things that can cause your cat to wax more is if they are not given enough opportunities to play. If you notice your cat getting increasingly busy with work, then try to find time for some fun games or take him outside for a few minutes during this process.
If possible, keep an eye on his fur while he is playing so you can check it for any signs of melting. You may be able to stop the process before too much happens by picking up the pieces as soon as you can!
Cat owners often worry about their cats choking on hair, but most hairs will dissolve in saliva. This can help prevent your kitty from breathing while he/she plays, but only if done early!
Never use alcohol gel or liquid de-glutamizers on your cat’s coat. Both will burn and irritate her skin, causing potential health problems.
Use a wax-removal cream
Many people use baking soda as a way to get rid of gunk such as candle wax out of your cat’s fur. Unfortunately, this can do more harm than good.
When too much powder is used, it removes part of the protective layer that cats develop when they grow hair. This could put their health at risk or make them feel sick.
So although using baking soda is definitely an easy solution, it isn’t appropriate for every situation.
Use a mixture of oil and lemon
For most cats, washings with shampoo are enough to get rid of excess wax. If you notice your cat has longer hairs or they seem dry and flaky, however, then it is important to check for wax.
If you find some kind of buildup in the form of balls or streaks that resemble melted chocolate, then try using an oil and lemon method. Mix one part olive oil with two parts fresh lemon juice, and use a small amount — only enough to coat the length of each hair. Apply this mixture directly onto the fur, and leave it to work for a few minutes before brushing it off.
Repeat this process until no more acid-oil mix comes out when you run your hand through the fur. Once it does stop, you can wash the skin again with regular soap and water, and repeat as needed.
Use a mixture of oil and lemon juice
Many people use olive or coconut oil to get wax out of hair, including cat fur! This works because oils gel and melt other things so as long as there is some oil in your hand and you apply it to the dog’s coat, it will work better.
Olive or coconut oil are both great alternatives to regular vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, or peanut oil. They are slightly more expensive, but they last longer too so it is worth it.
To try this method for yourself, start by taking an extra large piece of cotton cloth (like a washcloth) and mix enough oil onto it to make one small circle. Now rub that all over your cat’s fur and see what happens!
If the fur starts coming off, then congratulations, you have found a way to remove thin layers of protective layerings from cats’ coats.
Scrub with a toothbrush
When your cat gets wet, whether it be from playing or washing herself, her fur will get stuck in the wax. Because most cats spend lots of time grooming themselves, this can happen frequently.
To help remove the excess wax, you can use a clean, soft, smooth-ended brush. You want to start at the nape of the neck and work down towards the tail.
Use the bristle tips of the brush to scrape off the thickest layer of wax, then repeat with a softer brush to break up the rest of the chunks.
Some people recommend using baby oil to wash your dog, but we don’t think that works for cats! Cats are very sensitive to external oils, which could potentially irritate their skin or cause dryness.
