Pets - dogs, cats, birds and bunnies... fish?

Q. I've been gifted a bird cage and after I have sanded it I would want to repaint it. However I've no idea what paint is safe to use on a bird cage. Have you any idea of a paint I could use?

A. We have no paints that have been tested for this application. A Resene Environmental Choice approved paint should be safe but we cannot give no guarantees.

February 2021

Q. I am building a pine timber shed to be used as a bird room. One side is against a fence and will be difficult to repaint but is out of sight. I would prefer a colour and type of paint or stain that does not attract the heat of the sun. It gets very hot quickly in a small area. Would you be able to recommend a type of paint or stain I could use that is easy to work with?

A. Exterior stains are high maintenance - on average the stain will need to be recoated to maintain features every third summer, a shorter maintenance time will apply on more exposed elevations.

Resene CoolColour™  technology does not render the painted surface cool to touch, but a CoolColour version of a colour will reflect more heat than the same colour made using non-cool technology. The lighter the colour the more heat that the colour reflects, white giving the highest heat reflection value.

For new timber (excluding cedar) apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and then two coats of Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to your required colour. Use the CoolColour version of the colour if the selected colour can be tinted to a CoolColour version.

Q. What can/should I paint a birdbath/fountain in - keeping in mind that some of the paint will be submerged?

A. Assuming that it is a concrete bath use Resene Swimming Pool Paint. Normal waterborne paint will not waterproof and the concrete will need to be dry and clean. After application of the last coat of Resene Swimming Pool Paint leave to dry for at least 7 days then wash out the bath at least five times with water and discard the washing each time before refilling.

Q. I have a polished wood floor that has been repeatedly peed on by a cat (and delays in cleaning up the mess). Mopping has been unable to get rid of the smell (when you open the front door you are greeted by a wave of pee smell). I was wondering if another coat of polyurethane wood finish applied to the floor would 'seal' in the odour?

A. I suggest you try the recipe in this link – https://www.homelifeweekly.com/pets/cat-urine-smell-remover/. Applying more polyurethane will not address the odour especially if the cat pee has penetrated into the timber flooring. There are other on line recipes for odour elimination. Care is suggested when using any hydrogen peroxide-based mixes.

June 2022

Q. A cat has scratched the paint off plasterboard bedroom walls, and the wooden windowsill and door. In the door, it has scratched the white paint right back to the wood in an area about the size of two human hands. In some places on the walls the scratches are up to 3mm deep and they are fine and long. I intend to repaint. Thankfully, the cat and its owner have moved out. How is it best to prepare the surfaces please so the scratches are less obvious?

A. With the timber and the scratched areas first to remove any sharp protrusions. Then fill the scratch marks on both the wood and plaster board with Rapid Filler and sand smooth. Prime the filled areas using Resene Quick Dry then re-apply two coats of topcoat.

March 2021

Q. I want to paint the outside of some terracotta clay pot saucers to be used as cat feeding plates. I am going to use 1 coat of Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer, 2 coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat and one or two coats of Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel paint. My question is whether the finished product will be toxic or non-toxic to my cats?

A. We have not tested this or any paint system for pet safety. The primer and topcoat are both Eco Choice approved paints so contain no heavy metals or formaldehyde. If you want to paint the saucers, suggest that after completion of painting leave to cure for at least two weeks then wipe down using a cloth and warm water before using for petfood.

Q. I have used an oil based enamel (Resene Super Gloss) for my windowsills inside. My windows run with moisture so need to be wiped each morning. Also my cats spend a lot of time dancing along the windowsills. I chose this paint because it is hardwearing. My husband thinks that the shiny surface looks dated. What other options do I have?

A. Full gloss enamels will give you the best scratch resistance but you could move to either Resene Lusta Glo (semi-gloss) or Resene Room Velvet (low sheen). Sand the existing enamel to de-gloss then apply two coats of the new enamel finish.

Q. I want to seal the inside of a concrete dog water/food bowl. What sealer is safe to use?

A. Our products are not suitable for the dog bowl as our standard paint coatings cannot be ponded, which means they are not designed to have water continually sitting on the paint coating. Our swimming pool coatings are not suitable for food prep, animal bowls or troughs.

September 2023

Q. How do you seal particle board that has a lot of dog urine on it before recarpeting?

A. This is an easy first attempt recommendation - baking soda naturally neutralises odours. Sprinkle it liberally on the damp area or even an old urine stain, and work the powder gently into the fibres of any fabric, rug or carpet. Let the baking soda sit overnight for maximum odour absorption, then vacuum it up.

March 2021

Q. I have a dog daycare and have been painting the uneven and chipped concrete floor. It's getting in need of another coat of something and I'm wondering what is best to use? I don't own the building so it's largely for aesthetics and non-slip for staff.

A. The existing coated floor will need to be sanded to remove loose paint and achieve a smooth surface for painting. For the best system apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry and finish with two coats of Resene Uracryl 802. There is no paint system that will have resistance to dog claw contact. You will need to allow at least a week to prepare, paint and cure the paint system.

March 2021

Q. We have a fibre cement deck which needs painting. What paint would you recommend from your range that is durable in weather and has a medium amount of foot traffic. The deck is above a garage. It's at least 10 years old but may be older. The condition when we bought it was good but over the last year, two dogs have taken the surface off it in a lot of places.

A. Ensure the surface is clean with no mould/algae growth (if there is treat with Resene Moss & Mould Killer) then apply a seal coat of Resene Sureseal then finish with two coats of Resene Walk-on.

June 2020

Q. I have just laid a new concrete pad for a dog run and kennel to go on top of. The concrete has to be sealed with a product to protect from water/urine penetration. The area will be hosed off daily. What product would you recommend and would it be safe for animals please?

A. If you want an easily applied product that doesn't change the natural look of the concrete an option would be to apply two saturation coats of Resene Aquapel (solventborne). It will penetrate and disappear but impart water repellency to the concrete. It will require recoating but this is an easy process as it's applied by way of garden sprayer.

If you were requiring a durable paint coating system we can provide this also however it will require full prep of the concrete (diamond grinding) and a 3-4 coat epoxy/urethane type system. We do have these types of systems in dog kennels at the Blind Foundation etc.

Q. Because I have dogs and will be using Resene Qristal ClearFloor on stairs I was wondering if Resene Qristal ClearFloor 2K would give a more durable finish?

A. In principle the two pack version will be more resistant to wear, but dog claws have an inane ability to scratch even the most hardwearing floor coatings. The Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K version is easier to touch up, so if it was me I would go with the 1K version.

Q. I would like to paint my rimu floorboards (previously unfinished). Would Resene Walk-on be a good choice for a low maintenance finish? I have rescue dogs so I need something that will stand up to dogs, and their occasional accidents!

A. The only system that would have a chance of achieving a scratch resistant surface to dog claws would be four coats of Resene Polythane clear.

Q. Would someone please be able to advise me on the best paint product to withstand scratching of dog claws on the threshold of our ranchslider? We have a large Golden Retriever, and as he exits or enters the house, his claws are scratching the paint (down to the bare wood underneath) on the wooden threshold.

A. It's a difficult problem to address; the best paint would be two coats of two pack polyurethane but even this will not be totally immune to claw scratches. Sand the existing paint and apply 2 coats of Resene Quick Dry waterborne primer undercoat (leave the second coat to cure for 24 hours before overcoating) then two coats of Resene Uracryl 403. The paint system will take seven days to achieve cure.

Q. We are planning to take up the carpet and paint the chipboard underneath. What is the best and easiest way to paint this to last in a busy family/pet household? What products should we use? Would applying a layer of resin or epoxy type stuff be a possibility to help it last against dog claws?

A. Prime the bare floor with Resene Quick Dry Primer Undercoat and finish with two coats of Resene Lusta-Glo. There is no paint system resistant to dog claws. Epoxies have poor scratch resistance so unfortunately no.

Q. I understand there is no paint solution to resist dog claw scratches on wooden floors. We have 86 year old probably Matai flooring that needs sanding and resealing, but are reluctant to do it if it will just get ruined. Would a low sheen light colour be best option?

A. There is no scratch resistant clear or pigmented flooring coating. However we have found that Resene Polythane is the best clear product for flooring where there is regular animal foot traffic.

Q. I moved into a house that I'm renting and I was allowed to paint but I was a single mom and about to have a baby any day. I did notice I had LOTS of dog hair on the walls in the new paint job that the owners had done. I just didn't have time to paint but now that my kids are older I want to paint it. It's obvious they didn't care when they painted it because the hair is in big chunks especially near the base boards and trim. What's my best approach to remove the clumps of paint and fur so I can get started painting?

A. Careful scraping using a tungsten blade scraper maybe the easiest way but if the substrate is plasterboard you will have to tread carefully then sand to feather out any obvious edges in the paintwork. Alternatively sand using 100 grit sandpaper. If the paint is a waterborne paint then it may clog the sandpaper. Once you have removed the offending material apply a full coat of Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal then topcoat.

Q. I would like to paint existing interior floorboards in a residential home using the colour Resene Black. The finish I would prefer for the floorboards is a high gloss. My painter will conduct this work but I am seeking input on which approach would be best to achieve the black gloss looking I want, while being mindful of durability. Would I be best to consider Resene Walk-on or use a standard Resene acrylic like Resene Lumbersider and then apply a clear high gloss coat over it like Resene Polythane or Resene Poly-Gloss? This is a home occupied by a family of 2 x adults, 2 x children and a pet dog so we are seeking a balance of a stunning visual finish with practical durability.

A. It is very difficult to get a paint finish that will remain unaffected by dog claw scratches. Also once Resene Walk-on is clear coated any slip resistance will be negated. High gloss paint finishes will always result in reduced wet slip resistance. A possible interior system would be to apply Resene Lumbersider Black to the prepared and primed floor (leave for 48 hours to cure then mop down with warm water and leave to dry before clear coating) then apply two coats of Resene Uracryl GraffitiShield Gloss.

Q. What paint should I use to repaint a concrete fish pond? The pond has been painted but it is not known what paint was used. The pond has been waterblasted and cleaned.

A. Resene Swimming Pool Paint would be the only product, but it can only be applied to bare concrete or Resene Swimming Pool Paint.

You can solvent test the existing paint using meths and Resene Thinner No.6, to establish paint type (wet a cloth with the solvent and rub the paint surface). I suggest you carry these out and report back on the outcome.

Q. Is your Resene Swimming Pool Paint toxic to fish in a fishpond?

A. We have found that if the Resene Swimming Pool Paint is well cured and then washed 5+ times with clean water, totally emptying each time, that there are no remaining products that are toxic to fish remaining when the pool is finally refilled. We always suggest that a single fish is introduced and observed for at least 24 hours, before adding additional fish.

Q. Can you please advise me what the options are for white paint that will stick to polyethylene? We have some fish tanks that we want to paint, so are after a low toxic option if possible.

A. The only way we have found to get paints to adhere to polyethylene, is to heat to just melting, using a butane gas flame. This only applies to non-immersed surfaces.

Q. Does Resene have a paint that is non-toxic to goldfish that we can use for the interior of an outdoor fish pond (approx. 3/4 under water, 1/4 above water line)? Concrete and plastered.

A. Resene Swimming Pool Paint can be used as long as the plaster is sound and forms a water tight layer. Allow the paint to cure for at least two weeks then rinse the painted surface and discard water washings at least five times. Fill and add one fish back and wait for 48 hours to check for any signs of fish distress.

Q. We have lots of pets in our home. What do we need to think about when decorating so it looks good with the extra wear and tear?

A. If you are in the market for new flooring or are building consider your flooring carefully - hard surface floors which are scratch resistant, such as laminate will stand the test of time and are easily cleaned - rugs can be added for comfort and warmth, which are then easily removed to clean or replace. With soft flooring consider short piles and stain resistant fibres, which are pet friendly and invest in a pet fur vacuum for floors and curtains - or choose blinds and shutters in living areas, for a total pet friendly environment.

If you are renovating and want to paint or varnish your floor, ensure you use a clear topcoat which is scratch resistant and easily cleaned. Investing in harder wearing topcoats for cabinetry and walls such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen (walls) will ensure less stress in the long term.

For doors and cabinetry the go to product when having fur babies is Resene Waterborne Lusta-Glo - it combines the toughness of an enamel with the low odour of a water-based paint. You do need to give it time to fully cure to reach its full durability.

If you want to paint or varnish a floor use Resene Qristal ClearFloor 2K for the varnish and Resene Walk-on paving and flooring paint for colour. Resene Qristal ClearFloor 2K is a two component waterborne urethane which makes it durable to protect your timber floors and keep them looking at their best for longer.

Resene Walk-on paving and flooring paint is based on tough acrylic resins to give maximum abrasion resistance, in a single pack stain finish. For pre-existing marks or scratches clean with diluted Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and there are various fillers that can be used depending on the substrate.

For finishing touches paint dog houses and cat baskets with Resene Super Gloss enamel for supreme durability or if a semi-gloss finish is desired Resene Lustacryl, which is a hard wearing semi-gloss waterborne enamel - but it will take 30 days to fully cure before use.

If you can, trim your pet's claws regularly to minimise any 'claw damage'. You can spot clean painted walls with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner which is quick and easy to use as you don't have to rinse the surface and it is non-dulling. To protect things like leather sofas, cover them with trendy throws. Look for furniture with metal legs that pets won't be tempted to scratch like they may be with timber ones.

November 2023

Q. We have approx 250 sq mt rimu flooring. What would you recommend to finish it as a clear finish? We expect heavy use of the floor – wear and tear and pets.

A. Resene Polythane would be the best hardwearing clear finish for the situation you describe, available as a gloss.

Q. I was about to use the Resene Timber and Furniture Gel to treat my outdoor rabbit hutch ( new) as recommended by the hutch provider. I am treating the hutch a week or two before the bunny arrives. I'm guessing it's ok to use on areas that she can't gnaw. Please advise or recommend which product I should use.

A. Resene Timber and Furniture Gel is suitable for the areas where the rabbit won't gnaw.

Any paint/stail/oil product could be harmful if ingested. The longer you leave the applied product before the rabbit uses it the better. Any time over five days means the product will be hard dry and after 28 days the product will have fully cured/dried.

November 2023

Q. I've got a rabbit hutch that needs a bit of redoing. Are there any paints or testpots that are safe for the hutch?

A. The paint used for Resene testpots is an Environmental Choice Approved paint so should not pose any issues for the use you are planning to undertake. However, leave the paint to dry for 48 hours then wipe down with warm water and a cloth before placing the hutch back in use.

Q. How do I repaint the outside of a round metal pet bowl?

A. Apply 1 thin coat of Resene Vinyl Etch evenly over the surface. Ventilate well and leave for 48 hours. Make sure no water comes into contact with the coating at this stage.

After 48 hours apply two topcoats of Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel over the top.

Use a small nook and cranny roller kit with the PAL #4 microfibre sleeve for the best results.

Due to the shape of the surround, you may have to paint each coat in stages.

Leave to cure if possible, for 3-5 days and lightly wash down with warm soapy water. (We recommend this for baby cots and since this is an item for a pet, I would do the same here too, this helps remove any remaining surfactants from the surface).

February 2023

Q. We are finding bumblebees are drowning in our pool, which is coated with Resene Swimming Pool Paint. How do we stop this?

A. This normally means that the bumblebees are looking for a water source. You could try providing a bird bath with gravel or stones in it so the bees don't drown. However it is recommended you need to cover the pool first so that the bees look and find the new water source. Otherwise they will stick with the pool.

There are also many things that people have tried – including adding lemon grass to the new water source to encourage the bees to it.

The chlorine or the salts (in natural salted pools) can attract the bees to the pool also. The safest way to prevent the bees drowning is to cover the pool – this also helps keep out leaves etc also.