My theory is that the cat's oil in their fur repels the oils from the poison oak. Our friends are freaking out saying "Don't touch the cats! You might give our baby poison oak!" We think they are overreacting. What do you think?
2006-06-29 16:40:10 · 15 answers · asked by kat k 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
You can get poison oak from your cat's fur. If the oils are on its fur it will affect you just like if you touched the plant itself.
2006-06-29 16:43:53 · answer #1 · answered by Sarrah 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes; the oil from the plant can get onto their fur. Then it can get onto you when you pet or cuddle the cat. So long as you wash up before handling the baby, there should be no problem. Bear in mind that even clothing can carry the oils, so that cat hair covered shirt is also a no-no.
The oils will eventually dry out and the cat will no longer give you itching. The only fast solution is to bathe the cat, but that could be tricky.
2006-07-06 11:08:43 · answer #2 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very possible that you could. The sap from Poison Oak, Ivy etc is alive. When it gets on your cat, and you pet your cat, you are also petting Poison Oak. In the fall one year I was digging up old roots, raking leaves etc barehanded. All the leaves were falling and the trees were going to sleep for the winter. I didn't think about the sap that is in roots etc. Sure enough, I had so much poison ivy on my hands, I could almost not type at my job. It was painful and itchy at the sametime. So, please be careful when around your cat if you think he's been in Poison Anything.
2006-06-29 16:47:50 · answer #3 · answered by Fawnice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes if you are allergic to it. It sticks on the fur of the cat and if you are allergic to poison ivy or the other stuff then pet the cat well you might so wash your hands after petting the cat and spray the oak and ivy get rid of it cant believe you let it stay in your yard.
2006-06-29 17:05:27 · answer #4 · answered by vikinglass1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See, cats have a bacteria thing in their suliva. So if a cat can clean themself and get all the bacteria and germs from their fur, then I don't see why they couldn't get off poison oak. But just to be sure, I would look it up or ask a vet for more information. Until you do, I probably would keep the cat away from young kids. But I agree that they probably wouldn't get it. =]
2006-06-29 16:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Shelby♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can get it that way.
Just like handling trousers after someone trampled through a bed of poison oak or sumac. The oils hang around for a while.
2006-06-29 16:43:32 · answer #6 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd better wash your cat and not let him outside anymore. Take benadryl for the poison oak.
2006-06-29 16:52:29 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, poison oak oil transfers to cat hair then to your skin from the cat
2006-06-29 16:43:40 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrong!!! poison vines oils remain on the pets fur for a very long time!!! I get it from my cat every year!!
2006-06-29 16:45:39 · answer #9 · answered by erin r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep
2006-06-29 16:43:55 · answer #10 · answered by melissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋