Kitten and Candle Wax - advice pls

[muriel3002]

Our new little kitten, well, not so little - 9 months old, tipped over a candle and got candle wax on him. He appears to be okay, we have thoroughly checked him over, except all the scented candle wax on him.

Any ideas on how to get it off of him? We have tried cooking oil, thinking it would loosen it up. We tried rubbing alcohol, and it does "bead up" the wax and break it down, but it would be difficult to do this, and I'm really concerned about him absorbing this through his skin. We haven't resorted to a warm sudsy bath yet, but it's on the list after he calms down a bit. He's not too happy with me because of my previous experiments on him to remove the wax.

Any thoughts/advice? I'm trying to avoid calling the vet because we've spent a fortune there last month with our other sick cat....

[doggerham]

Hmm, I guessing putting the cat in the freezer until the wax is brittle enough to break is not an option.

TG the baby didn't get burned. Maybe re-warming the wax like in this article will work?

Removing Candle Wax
October 30, 2000

Q: Help! I spilled candle wax on the carpet! What can I do to remove it? Thanks! - Chris, MI

A: Starting at this time of year and through the holidays, I receive dozens of similar questions. Here are some very useful household hints for such problems:
Use a hair dryer to melt the candle wax on carpet (or a hard surface such as a table top or a floor). Wipe up the wax as it melts with a towel or cloth. Just make very sure not to overheat the carpet or surface!
Whereas a hair dryer is great for removing wax on a hard surface, people asked about how to remove wax from table cloths and other fabrics. An iron is the solution for removing wax from fabric. Place newspaper on both sides of the fabric to blot up the wax once it melts from ironing over the newspaper with a medium-hot iron. Replace newspaper as needed. Please note that you definitely do not want to use a hair dryer on anything flammable.

OR this one:

I dissolved the wax with a citrus solution such as GooGone or De-Solv-It and wiped it up with a paper towel. It worked really well and was easy (I would check the ingredients first to see if they are safe for kitty)

[tamawrite]

Originally posted by doggerham
Hmm, I guessing putting the cat in the freezer until the wax is brittle enough to break is not an option.

OR this one:

I dissolved the wax with a citrus solution such as GooGone or De-Solv-It and wiped it up with a paper towel. It worked really well and was easy (I would check the ingredients first to see if they are safe for kitty)

*snort* :D

I think GooGone would be okay as long as you wipe down Kitty's fur with mild soap and water afterwards to remove the chemicles. Also, if you can't get it off any other way, you can always shave off the waxed fur with sharp electric hair clippers.

You probably already know this, but holding him wrapped in a towel will help keep him still while you work on him. Good luck!

[Clover]

I would either trim the waxy fur off or just leave it and let the wax or fur come out on its own. I would not use any chemicals on the kitten as he will ingest any traces when he cleans himself. I think most other methods of trying to remove it would take too long and be very stressful for the kitten and you.

[Laura B]

I would give him a warm soapy bath ( or two) and then let whatever might be left come off over time. I agree with others that using anything to try to get it off, such as goo-gone, might harm kitty later when he cleans himself. If he ingests a little wax trying to clean himself, I think that won't hurt him.

[sharhamm]

I have removed candle wax from the table with an ice cube. You don't have to leave it on very long, just until the wax hardens then it will flakes right off.

[Beth]

I would try an ice pack to get the wax brittle and get out as much as you can with your fingers or a comb (holding the fur between the wax and skin if it is long enough) for any larger amounts -- above the surface. Use warmth to get what is more worked into the fur.

Do not use Goo-Gone. There are warnings on the label not to ingest. You could be in for more high vet bills, and I wouldn't want to trust a bath to remove any residue from fur -- it can be diffuult to get it all off a smooth surface.

You could call the vet and see if they can offer you some suggestions without an office visit and more expense.

[muriel3002]

Just an update...

Slinky the kitten is doing just fine. He must have managed to groom most of the wax off of himself. One thing I did notice that most of the wax was soft. Perhaps their warmer body temperature has something to do with it.

I am still picking off wax in other areas, but his patience for this is very short, and let's just say that I've never heard such a deep growl from a kitten! :eek: :eek:

Thanks for all the advice! The Goo Gone might be a good alternative, followed by soapy baths to get rid of the stuff....

He is really becoming quite mischievious - one night he knocked over our bowl of nuts (unshelled) and played hockey with them. We're still find a pecan here, an almond there....

I wouldn't trade him for the world!

[sharhamm]

The fun has just begun. Wait until he starts climbing the drapes. But they are loveable!

[lhall]

Or climbs into the oven (off) to get to the 20lb (cooling) Thanksgiving Turkey and help herself. :D

Leigh

[muriel3002]

Originally posted by sharhamm
The fun has just begun. Wait until he starts climbing the drapes. But they are loveable!

This sweetie is declawed, so we don't have drape climbing, although our past kitten (who is now 10) climbed drapes and screens!

But, they are such a joy! He has brought so much laughter into our home. He also loves the laser light.... where our older cats are on to us about the light - they can figure out that our hand is controlling the light and end up looking at our hand (despite how small we make the movements) instead of chasing the light.