Cat owners are being urged to keep Christmas snow globes well away from their pets as the liquid inside them can cause kidney failure and death.
Cats Protection says cats are naturally attracted to any decorative and shiny object but the merest crack in a snow globe will allow ethylene glycol – or anti-freeze – to seep out. Just a small amount is poisonous to cats if they rub against it and then groom it from their fur.
Ethylene glycol is also found in some car screen-washes and de-icer sprays, so the charity is urging motorists to clean up any spillages on the ground after use or purchase a screen wash or de-icer that does not contain anti-freeze.
Denise Forrest of Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent lost her cat Nelson in the winter of 2021 after he was poisoned by what her vet believed to be a pool of anti-freeze.
“Nelson ventured outside on a cold day and due to the dreadful conditions he soon reappeared at the back door. He appeared to lose his footing as he rushed into the kitchen and landed on his left side, said Denise.
“He looked like he was in shock, his eyes were side open and I noticed his pupils were large. He was trying to get up but was unbalanced and struggled. I picked him up and put him on his cushion where he fell asleep. The following morning he was no better.
“I called the vet and was told to bring him to surgery immediately. Unfortunately poor Nelson went into acute renal failure and there was nothing that could be done to save him. The vet had to put him to sleep, it was absolutely heart-rending.
Denise added: “I do not store antifreeze or use a spray to defrost my windscreen so I can only assume Nelson came into contact with anti-freeze by drinking it from a leak or spill from a car.”
Alison Richards, Chief Veterinary Officer for Cats Protection said: “We would urge everyone to take great care with any products containing anti-freeze. It is so devastating to lose a pet, especially when it can be so easily avoided.
“Store anti-freeze products well away from cats and supervise your cat if they want to play with any other sorts of Christmas decorations so that they don’t swallow or get injured by glass, metal or plastic.
“If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned by anti-freeze, then take them to the vet immediately.”
For information on household items that can be toxic to cats and to identify the signs of poisoning please visit https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/poisoning
