Cat owners urged to check paws and fur 'every eight hours' from today

Cat owners across the country are being issued an urgent safety warning over a hidden danger that becomes a major risk during colder weather. This week, temperatures have dropped significantly, with many UK areas facing sub-zero conditions.

As drivers reach for essential winter car supplies, experts have warned that spilled antifreeze poses a life-threatening risk to our pets. Cats don't even need to drink the liquid to suffer severe poisoning. Even just walking across a small leak on a driveway and licking their paws or fur during grooming is enough to ingest a lethal dose.

Why is antifreeze so dangerous for cats?

Chris Maxted, director of pet protection gate Cat-G8, is warning cat owners about the dangers of antifreeze as colder weather approaches.

He said: "Even the smallest amount of antifreeze can be fatal to cats, and they don't have to drink it directly to become poisoned.

"Walking through a spill and licking their paws or fur while grooming can expose them to ethylene glycol, a highly toxic chemical that can cause severe damage to the kidneys and other organs."

How to keep your cats safe

Pet owners are being urged not to wait for obvious signs of illness, such as vomiting, lethargy, or stumbling, before seeking help. This is because symptoms often appear only after severe internal harm has already set in.

Chris says that cats have the best chance of surviving antifreeze poisoning when they are treated within eight hours of exposure.

He explained: "Owners should contact a vet immediately if they suspect their cat has come into contact with antifreeze even if they aren't showing symptoms, as delaying treatment can dramatically reduce their chances of recovery."

So, check your cat's paws and fur every eight hours if they go outside. If you suspect they've walked in antifreeze, gently wash it off to reduce further exposure and contact your vet straight away.

The experts at the RSPCA agree, and they also say that rock salt - another common sight in the winter - can also be dangerous for cats.

They said: "Rock salt is a mixture of salt (sodium chloride) and grit. Ingesting even a small amount of pure salt can be very dangerous, causing thirst, vomiting and lethargy. In severe cases there is a risk of convulsions and kidney damage."

A cat might walk through gritted snow or ice, then lick it off their paws due to irritation. To stop this from happening, wipe your cat's paws and stomach after time outside.

If they could have rock salt on their feet or fur, wash the affected areas with a pet-safe shampoo and warm water, and dry with a towel.

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