Products vary, but some foams claim they can expand up to 30 or 50 times in volume. The main risk of ingesting these materials is them expanding once they’ve been ingested. When applied, the product remains soft for some time and then gradually hardens.Ĭats could be exposed to this product whilst it’s in the process of hardening, or they may eat lumps of the dried material. Expanding glue is available with an applicator top and is generally used as a wood glue. It’s usually available in aerosol cans or in tubes. This can either be a powder or a ready-to-use paste, and typically contains starches, PVA and sometimes fungicides to stop mould growth.Įxpanding foam is used as a gap filler, sealant, or as insulation. These are usually petroleum distillates and should be treated in the same way as white spirit, as detailed above. High or medium VOC paint may, but not always, include gloss paints or specialist paints. Coated fur should be washed with water and a detergent such as washing-up liquid or shampoo. These paints are of low toxicity and most cats won’t show symptoms after exposure, although some may develop mild gastrointestinal upset. Low VOC paint is a thick liquid, usually used on walls. If the VOC content isn’t listed, you can ask what’s needed to clean the paint brushes, if it’s water, then the paint is water-based, but if white spirit is recommended, it’s solvent-based.Īlternatively, if the product label includes any of the following phrases, it contains solvents: If it’s labelled as ‘minimal’ or ‘low VOC’ it’s effectively water-based, and if it’s listed as ‘medium’ or ‘high VOC’ is should be treated as a solvent-based paint. In Europe paint labels are required to state the volatile organic compound (VOC) of the paint, and this is what will tell you which type it is. Household paint is either water-based or solvent-based. Immediate veterinary assistance should be sought if you suspect your cat has been exposed to petroleum distillate. White spirit is extremely toxic to cats and every effort should be made to ensure they can’t come into contact with it. On the skin, white spirit may cause burns, inflammation and other skin complaints. Central nervous system depression with ataxia.Ingestion of a large volume could result in: Aspiration pneumonia is a potential complication of ingestion. There may be vomiting, diarrhoea, ulceration of the mouth and you might notice a strong smell of the solvent. Ingestion or oral exposure can cause a burning sensation which can manifest as hypersalivation, head shaking and pawing at the mouth. White spiritĪlso known as turpentine substitute, ‘turps’, Stoddard solvent and mineral spirits, white spirit is a colourless volatile liquid commonly used as paintbrush cleaner. We look at some commonly used products below. You might discover exposure from paint footprints, sticky or discoloured fur, or the distinctive smell. Home decorating and maintenance involves the use of numerous different chemicals that can potentially be hazardous to cats.Ĭats can accidentally ingest products by drinking from open containers or brushing against a treated surface and then grooming themselves.
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