With the festivities looming, cold spell not far away and the rainy season upon us a timely reminde:
Plants
Please Please Please be aware that some plants are toxic to cats and animals. At this time of year the shops are full of Poinsettas and they look great. Please don't tempt fate and buy one for yourself or a friend if they have cats or other animlas. They are poisonous. Whilst, unlike the items below, not all cats are attracted to bite the leaves, it is too much of a risk as people often find out about their cats and poison too late. Don't let that be you.
Water Butts
Please Please Please don't leave the lid off. Cats, and other animals, look to drink from them. If they loose their footing they can simply drown. This is not an old wives tale. An elderly friend of ours is normally extremely careful but didn't check that the lid was on after high winds last month. His cat was eventually found having drowned in the barrel. Some weeks later, to compound his grief, his wife died after a l;ong illness, although that is another story. Local Independent charity Croydon Animal Samaritans have also highlighted the problem in their latest newsletter.
Anti Freeze
Please Please Please keep bottles/tins, etc safely locked away and as far away from your cats as possible. Cats are attracted by the taste and the outcome is fatal. Death is sadly often inevitable unless urgent and immediate veterinary help is sought. You then have to rely on them having an antedote. I believe they use Ethanol.
Try to check that your car water tanks don't leak on the pavement, etc as this can attract thirsty cat.