Cats & Turpentine

[Yzma]

I have recently started painting with oils again, and came home after having gone to the gym and realised that the smell from the oil paints and the turpentine is quite strong.

Should I be worried about the cats and the smell? Will it give them headaches? or migraines? I don't actually use a lot of turpentine, in fact I've only dipped my brushes in it a couple of times and then closed the bottle immeadiately, but the smell seems to linger. And as they have such sensitive noses it must really be very strong for them...

I've taken all the other precautions to cat proof my painting process... Just wondering about sideeffects of the smell....

[Tina B and crew]

There was a post on here the other week about fumes and cats...I think it got deleted because it turned sour (the original poster got snappy with the admin)...I personally would make sure there is plenty of ventilation..fumes can definitely affect a cat in negative ways. Can you get one of those HEPA air filters?? Those can help a great deal

[Yzma]

Turned sour? Oh dear...

Well I guess I shall just stop using turpentine. And move my painting section to a window. I think that'll be best for now.

[davet]

they are very subject to fumes...before i was a vet i worked in a vet hopspital and was painting a cage room..never even thought of the cat in the cage...untill it had seizures and allmost died..i learned a good lesson...i think just a good venteilation system should suffice...

[Yzma]

Thanks Davet. Poor kitty in the cage! I've stopped using turpentine. I'm using Linseed Oil instead. That has a very strong smell but at least it's not a chemical fume. Also have started painting in the living room in front of our big fan. So now it's just the smell, ... but i don't think that's the same as fumes? Since linseed oil is just an oil that stinks . . . But since using the fan I've noticed the smell is less clingy anyway.

[Mona]

Have you ever painted with acrylics? They are easily blended and have no odor and of course mix with water? Just a thought.

I used water based paint when my house was painted and even took my cat out of the house for two days so she would be safe.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe

[Yzma]

Actually the acrylics might be a good idea... I guess i could swop...
But i just went out and bought a new set of oil paints... Ai! Yai yai...! It's a good suggestion though. If i don't feel like i've conquered the fumes issue i might just have to swop to acrylic. But so far, i'm finding that it was the turpentine that was causing the majority of the fumes. The actual oil paint doesn't really have fumes, it just smells quite strong.

[Mona]

I like acrylics cause I can mask my mistakes easier with water and paint over them. I am not a real good painter esp with color I change my mind a lot. and they are odor free as you said.

I am glad you stopped the turpentine though it is very toxic.

Mona, Honeybun and Chloe