Very concerned - Cat came home covered in substance

I was just in bed about 40 minutes ago and my 6 month old tabby came and jumped onto my bed as usual. My partner started stroking him and said 'he's wet look' and he was. His back right leg, tail and underbelly are wet as if he's been out in the rain. I smelt it and it smells strongly chemical, like paint or turps or petrol kind of smell? We've bathed him and tried to get it off with a gentle shampoo but he does not sit for long. I've dried him off but he's not happy, trying to lick it obviously but I'm concerned it will get ingested or soak into his skin
I've put fresh water out for him but I'm a worried what might happen during the night. There's nothing in the house he could have got to, all chemicals are locked away. Maybe he has got into someone's garage and fallen into something?
Any suggestions or help please.

Would a cone on his head help with the licking I wonder? Does he still smell of the stuff? Maybe have a look around to see if anything around outside is spilt on the floor or open and see if it has the say smell.
Maybe brushing might help since the cats been bathed to get any sticky stuff out of fur. And sniff the cat again to see if the smell has gone?

Cuddlemum said:

Would a cone on his head help with the licking I wonder? Does he still smell of the stuff? Maybe have a look around to see if anything around outside is spilt on the floor or open and see if it has the say smell.
Maybe brushing might help since the cats been bathed to get any sticky stuff out of fur. And sniff the cat again to see if the smell has gone?

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A cone might be a good shout actually, I'll see if I can find an old one but with it being his back leg I think he may still be able to reach part of it.
I'll be honest even after we've washed him he still smells of it, it's a very pungent smell but I can't figure out for the life of me what it could be. It's 1:30am where I am so looking round the garden now is probably no good! I will take a look in the morning though. Thank you!

Washing with dawn dish soap or something similar might help! It's what they use for oil spills!

Will try to wash him again with dish soap. What kind of things should I look out for that are alarming? I think I'm mainly worried that he will be poisoned or something

Use regular blue Dawn! Not the others.

KKoerner said:

Use regular blue Dawn! Not the others.

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I'm not sure what Blue Dawn is! I'm in the UK I don't think we have it! He seems quite settled, he's got on another bed now just sleeping...

@missjosiemarie  Get a few handfuls of plain flour and rub that into his fur before washing him. That will absorb a lot of whatever he's been covered in.

Fa

Norachan said:

@missjosiemarie
 Get a few handfuls of plain flour and rub that into his fur before washing him. That will absorb a lot of whatever he's been covered in.

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fantastic thank you