The Enigmatic Cat Catcher

You’re having the same problem as many bird owners. You have meal moths. The disgusting little pests that eat all of your pet food and leave maggots and sticky webs in their wake. So, you set up a couple of fly catchers around your home to nab the less clever ones before they can do their damage.

You wake up early one morning for work. It’s cold and dark out still. You stretch and yawn. You open your bedroom door. Your beloved cat is sitting at the door jam and mews at you pathetically. Thinking she just wants attention, you bend down to pick her up only to get a handful of matted, sticky fur.

Congratulations. Your cat was smart enough to play with the fly catcher and mash it deep in her fur. Now what do you do?

It’s not really the cats fault. We dangle things in front of them on a daily basis, from fleece mice to cat nip balls. And in the middle of the night (or day while you’re at work), sometimes a cat can get restless. Seeing no difference between a cat nip mouse and a cardboard cylinder, the cat bats it around. The thumb tack at the end of the fly or moth ridden sticky cord gives out and falls helplessly onto your companion.

The cat, in a frantic struggle tries to lick and bite it out. This only causes a horrible gooey, matted mess from which there is no return. You, as a frantic pet owner don’t know what to do. Do you cut it out while the cat is struggling with you the whole way? Dare you try to pull it out? Is the fly catcher poisonous? Will she be okay?

Read on. I’ll walk you through the extremely easy process of cleaning up any pet in need of a little fly catcher removal.

• Secure the animal. Any animal is going to be experiencing a good deal of fear and stress. They may accidentally injure themselves, another pet, or you. If available recruit someone else in the household. Talk in a soothing tone to the animal while you bring it to the closest easily cleanable area. The kitchen sink, the bathtub or the deck. So long as there is easy access to water and a way to drain it away.
• Obtain unused vegetable oil. Remember that your pet is likely going to try to lick the substance, so keep it simple. Do not use bath oils. If you do not have vegetable oil, olive oil will suffice. While holding the pet securely, apply the oil directly to the affected area. Message the matted fur while slowly pulling the fly catcher out. The glue should dissolve quickly.
• Rinse your pet throughly in warm (but not hot) water. Give them a regular bath and dry them off extra well.
• Your pet will now look rather oily and pathetic for the next week. Consider this their punishment. They’ve been through enough.

Don’t worry about them gnawing at the fly catcher before you could get to them. Chances are the glue itself was nontoxic and they only consumed a small portion. Just to be safe check the fly catcher packaging. Are there any instructions for accidental human consumption? Does it state it is toxic?

If you are unsure you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (if you live in North America.) They can be reached at (888) 426-4435 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. While there may be a charge for your call, it’s worth it if you’re really doubtful and you do not have immediate access to a veterinarian. Even if it’s just for your own peace of mind.