# Cats And Cigarette Smoke In Fur
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 12, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319 "2012-01-12T18:27:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/1 "2012-01-12T18:27:11Z")
My son (a smoker) is staying with us for a while to help me take care of his mother.
Both he and his wife go outside to smoke, but don’t realize that the stink remains on them, and Bert is so loving he’ll get up into anyone’s lap to be petted.
Well, the smell has gotten into his hair, and so I am wondering what I can get (as spray) to take the smell off? He likes to snuggle up with me and **Dondra** and the smell is awful.
We don’t know what else to do except isolate Bert, but that isn’t fair, because it isn’t his fault.
Any ideas, guys?
Thanks
Q
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### Author:  [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/2 "2012-01-12T19:57:09Z")
I use Febreze to de-stinkify my own hair. Be careful not to spray any in his eyes, but it might work. Also, there is a spray they spray on dogs at the kennel before you pick 'em up – the techs call it “go home spray” because it freshens 'em up so they don’t smell so dog-kennel-y. I’ve seen it in pet stores, but I suspect that Febreze is probably less expensive and/or is the same thing.
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/3 "2012-01-12T19:58:40Z")
You can get “waterless shampoo” for cats and dogs, so I would go that route. You want something safe for kitty to ingest because you know he’s going to be licking his fur. If you have a PetCo or a PetSmart near you, go there and look in the grooming aisle. You’ll find something!
DON’T use dryer sheets. They leave residue that is harmful to the cat when licked off.
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### Author:  [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/4 "2012-01-13T16:39:36Z")
I wouldn’t use Febreze, even if you’re careful to avoid his eyes he’ll lick it off his fur. Beyond that, I don’t know - maybe sponge him down with a little vinegar or something.
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### Author:  [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/5 "2012-01-13T16:40:54Z")
What about rubbing baking soda into his fur?
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/6 "2012-01-13T16:50:57Z")
Don’t use Febreze. I used it on my dog once and his hair fell out where he was sprayed. It says right on the bottle, don’t use on pets. (He had rolled in something dead and I was waiting for my husband to get home to help me bathe the dog.)
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### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/7 "2012-01-13T22:25:39Z")
Yeah, humans can spray Febreze on themselves because we don’t groom ourselves with our own tongues - cats are far more delicate as far as topical chemicals go. They do, however, sell pet-freshening sprays at any big-box pet store.
Is Bert a bathe-able cat? 🙂
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/8 "2012-01-13T22:38:37Z")
Since you’re looking for advice, I’ll move this to our advice forum, IMHO.
**twickster** , MPSIMS moderator
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### Author:  [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/9 "2012-01-13T22:43:14Z")
I wonder if dilute vinegar would work? Just rubbed over his fur, maybe. I guess smelling like a tossed salad would be better than stale cigarette smoke.
Other than that, I’d check a good pet store for cat-safe products, or with your vet. Cats are very sensitive to quite a few different substances, some of which are harmful or lethal.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/10 "2012-01-13T22:51:59Z")
I’d like to piggy back on the OP’s question.
Is there any thing I can use to de-static-fy my cat? In the winter time my cats turn into walking tesla coils. No one wants to get cuddly with that.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/11 "2012-01-13T22:52:09Z")
Or how about I just I just beat the living SHIT out of my son for stinking up my sweet fur-baby, huh?
THAT would work, wouldn’t it?
Q
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### Author:  [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/12 "2012-01-13T22:56:03Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> Or how about I just I just beat the living SHIT out of my son for stinking up my sweet fur-baby, huh?
>
> THAT would work, wouldn’t it?
>
> Q
Well…it might make you feel better, but the cat would still smell of stale smoke. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/13 "2012-01-13T23:12:42Z")
Yeah, I know.
It’s just that **Bert** is just so _precious_ to me, y’all!!!
He’s **MY KITTY** , and I cannot have him smelling like that.
He and I have a history.
Bill
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### Author:  [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/14 "2012-01-13T23:43:57Z")
NO FEBREZE. Never ever, EVER, put something on a cat that you’re supposed to call Poison Control if you ingest it. Cats schlorp on themselves like it’s a paying job, so they WILL ingest anything you put on their fur or skin. Feel free to spray anything of the sort on your son, though.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the cologne sprays – I think they stink worse than cigarette smoke and also they tend to set off my allergies. Dry shampoo is my personal preference, since it’s usually odorless and can be gotten just about anywhere that carries pet supplies. There are also little towelettes with destinker on them, though those can be harder to find.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/15 "2012-01-13T23:47:12Z")
If worse comes to worst, would poor Bert tolerate a bath?
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### Author:  [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/16 "2012-01-13T23:54:41Z")
Petsmart sells a baby wipes style product that you can use to wipe a cat down. I’d try using something like that right before bedtime.
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### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/17 "2012-01-14T00:04:25Z")
Oh, I bought some of those to use on our Alfie… Near as I can tell, they’re wildly overpriced baby wipes. I would think that an ultra-mild baby wipe would be OK.
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### Author:  [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2012, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/18 "2012-01-14T01:04:54Z")
Buy a bottle of something like [this](http://www.renspets.com/tropiclean-cologne-baby-powder.html). Nice smell, lasts for a couple of days, and is made for pets.
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### Author:  [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/19 "2012-01-14T01:12:43Z")
What about rubbing his fur with a Bounce sheet?
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### Author:  [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-and-cigarette-smoke-in-fur/609319/20 "2012-01-14T01:26:32Z")
I’d guess it’s mostly coming from their hands while petting the cat. Could your son and his wife wash their hands after smoking?
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