Warning for Cat owners in this cold snap

pulliptears

Just read this in an article and thought it worth sharing as a reminder:

Pet charity The Blue Cross has warned pet owners to protect their animals from gritter salt and antifreeze, after several cats died from salt toxicity during the last icy snap.
In the last few days a cat also died from suspected antifreeze poisoning.
Mark Bossley, Blue Cross chief vet said: ‘If it is icy outside and salt is being used to grit your local streets it is wise to keep your cat indoors.
'Salt is poisonous to cats and it can easily get on their paws or fur and be swallowed when they groom themselves. Watch out for antifreeze too, cats seem to like the taste but it is highly toxic to them.
'Be vigilant, if your cat appears to be ill always contact your vet as quickly as possible.’

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks ...... for some strange reason cats are especially drawn to drinking/licking things that are really bad for them.

I have huge problems trying to keep mine out of the cupboards where the cleaning stuff / bleech etc is kept. If I even open the door to get something out, they're trying to squeeze in past me.

blossomhill_2

Thanks for the advice

Bleach attracts them as it smells like amonia in cats' wee

snookey

Thankyou for the advice. I did not know about the salt. Will keep an eye on our four.

G51shopaholic

I was just sitting eating my freshly made tuna/pasta/mayonnaise.

my daughters friend came to the door and when I turned round, there's my 4yr old female Bengal cat whith her head stuck firmly in the bowl munching away at my dinner!!!

She is a wee fat greedy girl!!! PS It was john West Tuna steak so she has "good taste"

My kids think it was funny!!

pulliptears

G51shopaholic wrote: »

I was just sitting eating my freshly made tuna/pasta/mayonnaise.

my daughters friend came to the door and when I turned round, there's my 4yr old female Bengal cat whith her head stuck firmly in the bowl munching away at my dinner!!!

She is a wee fat greedy girl!!! PS It was john West Tuna steak so she has "good taste"

My kids think it was funny!!

If its any consolation....

DS was sat on the sofa with a big plate of chicken noodles, Jack (dog) hasn't moved with any speed in a long time so DS was complacent...

Not so complacent after Jack disappeared off into the distance trailing 90% of the noodles from DS's plate as he'd turned away

For some reason Jack likes to lick puddles, I'm always quite wary of it just incase there is anything in them that could cause him harm. I dont own cats myself but my neighbours do so I'm always mindful when filling washer bottles etc to clean up any spills.

I hadn't realised salt was as bad for them though until I read that!

lostinrates

Also worth noting for people who for salt based water softening systems, if you do not use the kitchen tap for your pets' wAter.