Is Paint Toxic to Cats?
I recently looked through the book Why Paint Cats, by Burton Silver and Heather Busch. Is paint toxic to cats?
Ruby
Gridley, CA
About 15 years ago a book entitled Why Cats Paint was released with much fanfare and no small amount of controversy. The book featured and discussed artwork (paintings) created by cats.
Evidently the authors are gluttons for controversy. In 2002 they released a sequel, entitled Why Paint Cats. The second book features cats as artwork, and it definitely got people stirred up. The book has many photographs of decoratively painted cats. Plenty of people questioned the ethics of using cats as accessories and ornaments. I have not read the book, but my understanding is that the authors intended for it to be satirical and comical. Therefore, some of the controversy may be unfounded.
The cats in the book were painted with non-toxic vegetable dyes. So, to answer your question Ruby, the paints used in Why Paint Cats are not poisonous. However, most other types of paint can be very dangerous to cats. And paint thinner is extremely toxic when applied to cats’ skin.
In my opinion painting cats is a bad idea. Fortunately, cats are amazingly beautiful in their natural state. They don’t need to be painted.
Image source: costumecats.com
You have questions. 
Regarding the painting of cats in “Why Paint Cats?”: you stated that a harmless vegetable dye was used on the cats. Actually, no dye was used as the book was a tongue in cheek spoof and the cats were digitally painted.
I think painting cats is completely wrong — not only do cats lick and groom their fur and will get sick from the paint, but it also will make them a target for cat-nappers who steal and hurt cats on halloween.
I think cats are to cute to be painted. But it does look pretty cool. wouldn’t it make their fur all greasy? That would just be gross.
I think painting cats looks cool but I would never do it my kitty
I am not going to paint my baby.They are really cute.
I don’t agree with the idea of painting cats–they are dignified creatures who are beautiful just as they are. And it occurs to me that dressing them up in cute outfits and such may not be such a good idea, either. But I do partly disagree with the comment, “Plenty of people questioned the ethics of using cats as accessories and ornaments.” From ancient times, cats have been loved for their natural beauty. Even the most ornery cat can be loved simply because it’s, well, beautiful and a lovely thing to rest one’s eyes on. I suspect that most people choose their cats according to the colors, patterns, and breeds that most appeal to their aesthetic sense. But leave all that up to nature! Cats don’t need paint or clothes to be beautiful!
PhotoShop would be the only way I would “paint” my cat.
I don’t think any of them would hold still long enough to be painted and if they did, I don’t want to clean up the Technicolor Hairball that would come later!