Cats, by nature, have a heightened sense of curiosity. If you are a cat parent you’d know how difficult it is for you to keep them away from anything that fascinates them. To top it over, being a resin artist with a pet cat around can be consuming if your fur baby is full of energy. So you just started working with resin but you are not sure is resin toxic for cats? Here’s what you need to know about working with resin while your cat is around.
I have a 4-month-old Persian kitten. He is lovely, lively, and a sleepy bum. I haven’t seen him bother me yet while I am working with resin. Two years back I had a stray cat. The stray was always curious about my work and followed me to my workspace every time. She had to be everywhere I was. It was super hard to keep her out of my art studio. But till the time she was with me, thankfully I never had any major episodes of her getting sick because of resin ingestion. The only difficult time was when she accidentally got resin stuck on her hind legs and fur. I was a newbie to epoxy and had a tough time getting resin off her fur as it had hardened by the time I saw it.
Having a pet who cannot control being inquisitive is not an easy situation to deal with. You may take all necessary precautions but still, small accidents may happen sometimes. I learned it through my experience and from so many other people from around the globe whose queries on google were the same as mine, ‘how to keep my cat safe from epoxy resin?’
Epoxy resin is a fluid art medium. It comes in two components, part A is resin and part B is the hardener. When we mix the two components in the brand suggested ratio it cures and solidifies like hard plastic.
Epoxy resin is used to create furniture, doors, trays, soap dishes, pen stands, tables, nameplates, and many more. The use of epoxy resin has become common these days as more and more people are using it to create various art forms like resin paintings and geodes.
Epoxy resin is not toxic until it is mixed with the hardener. Once resin and hardener are mixed together, a chemical reaction takes place. This is when epoxy resin becomes harmful to our pets too. It emits fumes and starts warming after a few minutes of mixing.
Cats can get sick if it ingests resin. A small amount of resin when licked can cause the cat to drool thick strings from the mouth and nose and sometimes can lead to nausea or vomiting. This is not usually an emergency situation and it usually resolves on its own. But keep monitoring your cat if you do not know the exact amount of resin ingested. And if its condition deteriorates, get immediate medical assistance.
Monitor for signs of nausea and/or vomiting:
- Excessive drooling
- Excessive lip licking
- Multiple attempts to swallow
If there are no signs after 24 hours, then no monitoring is required. Your cat must have flushed out the resin by now. If you see signs of Diarrhea or loss of appetite, get immediate medical help for your feline. Inhalation of fumes from curing resin can cause oral irritation. It is advisable to keep your cats out of your work area. And if the resin comes in contact with the skin, it may cause dermal irritation. The mixture of resin and hardener is toxic. Our furry companions are curious and naughty by nature. It is our responsibility to make sure that we keep our toxic art supplies away from our pets. Moreover, make sure to clean your workspace regularly of any resin residue spilled while working with epoxy.
I can tell you this from my experience if resin gets stuck in a cat’s paws or on its fur, this can make them anxious or annoyed. Still, looking at the life of an artist who is smitten by their furry baby’s love, it will never be easy working with resin with cats around us. And small accidents like resin stuck in their fur or paws will keep happening from time to time. So, what’s the solution?
First of all, if possible keep the cats out of your workplace. If for any reason, that’s not possible and your cat steps in your resin mixture or walks over a half-cured resin, you can follow any of the below-written home remedies to clean your baby. I found these remedies helpful when I was looking for help online to remove resin from my stray cat’s paws and fur.
| If the resin mixture on the fur is still drippy, wash it immediately with cat shampoo and water. Dry and check for any residue. If you still find some resin stuck on the fur, rub the area with olive oil, leave it for 10 minutes, and then wash it with dish wash detergent and water. |
| If resin in your cat’s paws has dried, soak its resin dried paw in white vinegar for a few minutes. Cats do not like the smell of vinegar. But it is important as it helps to gently peel off the resin. |
| For dried fur in the resin, take a cloth and soak it in vinegar. Hold it over the hardened epoxy resin until it softens. Then gently remove it with a comb. |
Resin if left untreated on the cat’s skin can cause irritation. Also, if you find your cat licking any resin stuck on its fur or body, it may upset its stomach. It is better to put them on cone collars soon after you realize that your cat has resin on its fur.
Can Uncured Resin Make My Cat Sick?
When we work with epoxy resin, it is not only highly toxic when mixed with the hardener. It is also poisonous while it is curing. As much as it is advisable for us to stay out of the room while epoxy cures, so much is needed that we keep our pets out of the workspace where resin pieces are curing. Curing resin also produces fumes that can adversely affect our furry friend’s health too. If they happen to eat uncured epoxy resin, it is time to consult your vet immediately.
Can Cured Resin Make My Cat Sick?
A cured resin is similar to hard plastic. Though, no studies so far have shown that cured resin can be harmful to your pet yet I would suggest keeping the resin items away from their reach. As per my experience, it is never a good idea to use an epoxy resin plate for keeping eatables or eating directly from a resin dish. So, as a precautionary measure, I would insist on keeping even the cured resin products out of your pet’s reach.
I Am A Cat Parent. What Precautions Should I Take When Working With Epoxy Resin?
As cat parents, we are always worried about our cat’s health. We try and keep our surroundings clean and make sure to keep toxic materials out of the reach of our fur balls. But if you are an artist, and prefer to work with epoxy resin often, then here are a few steps in which you can keep your pet safe and out of resin’s reach.
| Have a separate room to do your epoxy resin work. |
| Always keep the room door closed tightly so that your cat may not venture into your workspace. |
| Make sure to close the lids of epoxy resin bottles tightly. |
| Keep the epoxy resin bottles locked in a cupboard out of the reach of your cat. |
| Always try, I know it is easier said than done but do try to keep your workspace clean to avoid any possible pet accidents, if your baby’s curiosity makes its way to your artwork space. |
| Always cover your work while it is curing. |
| Keep the windows open so that the fumes do not settle in the room. |
Every resin artist knows that epoxy resin is a chemical. And by nature, any chemical is health hazardous. So, as pet parents, it is our responsibility to take all the necessary precautions to avoid little accidents with our feline companions in our art space. While working with epoxy resin, and taking all the precautions mentioned above, if you still find that your cat has eaten resin or has licked resin stuck in its paws or fur, don’t panic. Monitor your cat for the symptoms mentioned above. And seek immediate medical assistance if you find your cat’s symptoms deteriorating with time.
Keep creating beautiful resin projects while keeping your furball safe.
FAQs
Epoxy resin products such as Araldite can be very irritating or even corrosive to the gastrointestinal tract. If large quantities are ingested, symptoms such as sedation, dizziness, depression of the breathing and even coma are possible.
Is resin safe for cats? ›
Keep Cured Resin Away From Pets
Ingesting epoxy resin is still dangerous for pets, just as eating plastic or other materials could cause gastrointestinal problems. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, dizziness, and drowsiness if you think your pet has ingested epoxy resin.
How toxic is resin really? ›
Short-term exposure to resin fumes can result in dizziness, headaches, and throat irritation. The long-term risks are unknown due to lack of research, but may include increased risk of cancer.
What is the most non-toxic resin? ›
ArtResin is the most popular brand of clear epoxy resin used by resin artists worldwide. ArtResin is ASTM certified (D-4236) non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-flammable, as there are no VOCs / fumes produced.
Is resin toxic after dried? ›
Finished, hardened epoxy products are practically non-toxic unless they are cut, sanded, or burned.
How long is resin toxic? ›
Wait at least seven days and keep the room well ventilated to ensure that any lingering harmful fumes have time to dissipate. After seven days, your new floor should be fully cured and ready to serve you well for years to come! Still have questions or concerns?
How do you get resin off a cat? ›
Again, start with a natural oil, such as olive oil, and rub a little into the area for about 10 minutes (do it as part of a cuddle to make your cat a bit more cooperative). Leave for a further 10 minutes, then try to comb out as much glue as you can, being careful not to pull on the hair root.
How much toxic is resin? ›
Craft Resin is Non-Toxic and safe for home use, this is only valid when used as directed in a well ventilated space, but what does that mean: Resin that is advertised as non toxic and/or VOC free does not contain any elements that are deemed as toxic as per all the safety guidelines.
Is resin safe for pets? ›
Epoxy resin is ideal for residential and commercial premises that cater to dogs, cats and a whole host of other domesticated pets that need pet friendly flooring.
How bad is touching uncured resin? ›
Uncured resin can cause skin irritation when it comes in contact with bare skin. The resulting irritation can cause a rash called dermatitis. Prolonged skin contact can create more severe reactions, including allergic reactions or burning sensations. You can wear protective gloves to prevent skin contact.
After sanding to make resins cured, they do not pose any threat to the environment. Plastics being manufactured from synthetic fibers contain few organic materials. So plastic is more dangerous to the environment than resin. Resin is recyclable because it is manufactured from organic materials and is biodegradable.
What does resin poisoning feel like? ›
Usually, it appears much like a reaction to poison ivy and may include swelling, itching, and red eyes. Just as with poison ivy, the irritation can be mild or severe, acute or chronic. Inhaling concentrated epoxy vapors, if done frequently or for long periods, can irritate your respiratory tract.
What resin is safe to use indoors? ›
Epoxy resins are the safest of the resin types regarding harmful vapors. Epoxy is safe to use indoors, in most home areas or garage type application. If using in larger quantities, use of additional ventilation tools may be needed. Most often a fan will suffice for any given epoxy.
What are the side effects of resin? ›
Symptoms
- Drooling.
- Eye pain.
- Loss of vision.
- Severe pain in the mouth and throat.
- Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue.
- Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
- Voice changes, such as hoarseness or muffled voice.
As mentioned before, these items contain moisture that can ruin the curing process. Fresh plants and food hold moisture, and any excess liquid could ruin the curing process. Additionally, fresh food and plants might rot inside the piece and ruin a once beautiful design.
How long does it take for resin fumes to go away? ›
The smell will stop being strong after about 8 to 10 hours. Resin can sometimes take 3 days to cure, but that is generally a hard cure. Once it is at the soft cure or demolding stage, the fumes won't be a problem at all.
How long does resin stay in the mold? ›
Craft Resin's cure time is about 24 hours (depending on the thickness of your project). This is the time the resin and hardener mix goes through the chemical reaction to form a solid. After 24 hours it still might not be completely solid, and can be slightly flexible.
Is resin a carcinogen? ›
While their use has been widespread for many years, both polyurethane and epoxy resins have been shown to contain carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic chemicals (CMR substances) that can be dangerous to the people who work with them.
Is ArtResin safe to use without a mask? ›
ArtResin, however, is a clean system, meaning you do not need to use a respirator when using ArtResin as directed and in a well-ventilated area. It's important to note that the recommendation to wear a respirator while using ArtResin in a non-ventilated space is intended as an extra precaution, not as a requirement.
Is resin safe once cured? ›
So, once you've given your resin its due curing time and it is cured completely, it is safe to use. Cured resin is completely non-toxic, so be comfortable touching it, using it, or placing anything on it.
In general, 3D printing is safe for pets, whether it's dogs, cats, parrots, hamsters, or fish, as long as you take a number of precautions. The largest danger is the printer itself because pets don't know to avoid the hot nozzle or print bed, and sometimes toxic fumes are emitted by the melted filament.
What breaks down hard resin? ›
Once the resin has cured and dried, the only way to break it down is to let it soak in acetone or rubbing alcohol or use a heat gun to soften it. 💡 TIP: You can also apply rubbing alcohol using a spray bottle - easy!
Does vinegar get rid of resin? ›
Resin (Part A) can actually be cleaned up with white vinegar, as can some hardeners (Part B). But solvents such as lacquer thinner, denatured alcohol, and acetone will be the best choice for cleaning up any mixed uncured epoxy.
Can resin damage your lungs? ›
What Can Resin Do to Your Lungs? Breathing vapors from epoxy resins from uncured or partially cured resin can cause some people to develop lung diseases like asthma. Asthma is a permanent health condition. So, once you get asthma, even the slightest exposure to resin will trigger an attack.
What happens if you get resin in your mouth? ›
Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after swallowing the poison. Perforation (holes) may develop in these organs, leading to serious bleeding and infection. Death may occur months later. Treatment may require removal of part of the esophagus and stomach.
How do you get resin out of cat fur? ›
You can loosen the sap by using olive oil, mineral oil, or smooth peanut butter (xylitol free). Massage the product onto the affected fur and let it sit for a few minutes. It's important to only use products that are safe if ingested, since your furry friend may try to lick the oily substance off their fur.
Is epoxy resin toxic to pets? ›
If it was already cured, it's harmless. Uncured resins are toxic but if the dog only licked it and didn't ingest any of it, I don't think he'll come to any permanent harm. If there is any chance he ingested some, please call a vet!
Are resin printers safe around pets? ›
Safety Risks
Airborne particulates: Including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these are released during printing both by FDM and resin printing. Anyone exposed (including children or pets) can suffer from long-term health problems.
What happens if you touch uncured resin? ›
Uncured resin can cause skin irritation when it comes in contact with bare skin. The resulting irritation can cause a rash called dermatitis. Prolonged skin contact can create more severe reactions, including allergic reactions or burning sensations. You can wear protective gloves to prevent skin contact.
Is it safe to resin print indoors? ›
One of the greatest dangers of using resin 3D printing is the fumes, so it is important to only use printers in well-ventilated areas, even outside, if possible. It is also a good idea to wear a mask, such as a half-mask respirator, to protect against fumes.
To remove the resin, soak a cotton swab with acetone and rub it into the appropriate area. The resin softens in this way and can be easily removed. Watch your safety here too. The vapors contained in acetone should not be inhaled for an unnecessarily long time.
What dissolves dried resin? ›
The most common method of resin removal is with chemical solvents such as IPA (isopropyl alcohol). Degreasing solvents such as IPA and dimethyl adipate will effectively dissolve any hardened resin that is leftover after printing, leaving behind a clean surface, without damaging your machinery.
Can you get non-toxic resin? ›
Uniquely, ArtResin® is certified 'non-toxic' when used as directed. It conforms to ASTM D4236 which is a US certification meaning that it is safe for home use. It contains no solvents, produces no VOCs or fumes and is non-flammable.
Is epoxy resin cancerous? ›
Tests on laboratory animals showed that older epoxy resins caused skin cancer. It is, most likely, due to epichlorohydrin, which probably causes cancer in humans as well. However, newer epoxy resins contain less epichlorohydrin, so they don't cause cancer in animals.
What eats epoxy resin? ›
Isopropyl Alcohol, Denatured Alcohol, Acetone, Lacquer Thinner. Stronger solvents like isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, acetone, or lacquer thinner will remove epoxy much more quickly. Stronger solvents can often be found at varying concentrations.
Is epoxy resin safe to use at home? ›
Epoxy is safe to use indoors, in most home areas or garage type application. If using in larger quantities, use of additional ventilation tools may be needed. Most often a fan will suffice for any given epoxy. If repeatedly exposed to concentrated amounts, epoxies can cause itching and swelling.
