Vet advises against certain everyday popular items for cats

A vet has issued a warning about items that she would never personally purchase for her pet cat while she was out shopping in B&M. If you're fortunate enough to have a four-legged companion, you'll want to do everything right by them and ensure they live a happy and healthy life. You'll likely treat them like royalty in your home, and you may purchase all the toys, beds, and scratch posts they could ever wish for.

However, Dr Charlie Lloyd, who is a vet at Christchurch Veterinary Surgery in Ipswich, has shared some everyday items that you may believe make your cat's life better, but she would not personally recommend. Nevertheless, if you're concerned about any items, it's essential to consult your own veterinarian for advice.

A spokesperson for B&M said: "We take the quality and safety of our pet products very seriously. Our cat milk meets all UK and EU standards, and we've received no customer complaints related to the claims made in the video. We always recommend customers follow on-pack guidance and consult their vet if they have any concerns".

First off, she cautioned against using a litter tray deodoriser. "No, thank you, this will make your cat not want to go in its tray," she warned. It's preferable to simply change your cat's litter more frequently. The RSPCA shares that, "ideally, you should spot-clean your cat's litter tray every day and replace the litter at least once a week. If the tray is left to become dirty, your cat may prefer to use the floor instead".

They also caution you should "always make sure any cleaning products you use are safe for cats. Keep in mind that any strong-scented cleaning products and scented litter may put your cat off using their tray".

It's equally crucial to provide them with privacy whilst they go about their business. They explain: "Cats prefer privacy, so we advise placing litter trays in a quiet area of the house.

"Some cats may like the option to use a covered litter tray. Either way, try to never disturb your cat while they're toileting".

Dr Charlie Lloyd also cautioned against giving your cat 'lactose reduced' cat milk, as it could trigger stomach upsets in your feline companion.

Furthermore, she stated that flea and tick collars won't accomplish much for your cat beyond functioning as a collar, and cautioned against using spot-on flea and tick treatments from anywhere other than your vet. She claimed they're "probably not going to work".

She also displayed an RSPCA brand product, but maintained that because it was fipronil-based it "probably wasn't going to work".

Subsequently, she presented a food and drink bowl set, commenting: "Cats hate it when their food and drink are next to each other like this, so that's a no. Also, they're plastic, so if your cat's got feline acne, that's not going to help things".

Next on the list of items she wouldn't recommend was crystal cat litter, cautioning that "cats hate the feel of it on their feet" and it "doesn't even properly absorb urine". In the comments, one individual remarked: "Totally agree on all of these! So much rubbish on the market. And the big cooked knuckle bones and completely mucked around with rawhide for dogs really gets my back up too. But 'why would pet shops sell it if it wasn't ok' is something people have said to me before".

A cat enthusiast wrote: "Sorry, but my cat has an Alessi cat bowl and the food is next to the water. She's 17 and never once complained, so that's rubbish".

Another person echoed a similar sentiment, stating: "My cats love when their drink and food are next to each other, so not every cat is the same, and as a vet, you should know that".

Iryna Smyrnova, a Veterinarian at Meowoff, advised: "In the wild, cats are predators and careful eaters at the same time, and their nature tells them to keep water away from a fresh kill since rotting food might pollute the water. In a house, cats still find ways to sniff out very faint smells that humans can't detect.

"For instance, the odour of kibble made with fish being carried over to a water bowl can make the water taste old, and that is why some cats drink less than the desired amount.

"I have encountered numerous cases where simply relocating the water bowl a few feet away or changing it to a water fountain with running water has significantly increased the cat's drinking, and even helped with urinary problems".

When it comes to silica cat litter, Iryna stated that "different litters have different effects on cats".

She explained: "Silica crystals can be very sharp on the microscopic level, and I have seen cases where cats developed very mild injuries or irritation in the paw pads due to it, especially in heavier cats or older ones with arthritis who tend to put more pressure on their paws.

"Besides this, I always monitor the dust situation: the very low dust silica litter can still be the source of fine particulate matter that can heighten the respiratory issues. I have witnessed the sudden deterioration of the condition of asthmatic cats in a matter of weeks after the move to silica.

"Furthermore, some cats don't like the noise of the crystals when they walk on them, which, as a result, can stress them out and, hence, lead to their avoidance of the litter box.

"For these reasons, I prefer to recommend pet owners to use softer, biodegradable materials such as paper, corn, or finely milled clay, which are much easier on paws and a lot less harmful to sensitive airways".

KatFresh, Bob Martin and RSPCA were all approached for comment.