As freezing temperatures hit London and Kent, pet owners are being warned about the widely unknown, chilling hazards of anti-freeze - which can kill cats.

Cats appear to be attracted to the taste, although just one lick of the toxic chemical could make a kitten seriously ill.

Anti-freeze poisoning kills 50 cats a month in England, and the product is widely used in cars and garden water features.

Battersea Cats and Dogs Home's head of cattery Lindsey Quinlan said: "Anti-freeze poisoning is lethal and the faster you can get your cat treated, the better chance it has of surviving."

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Battersea is calling for people to use a pet-safe product, which does not contain ethylene glycol.

Moggies who ingest anti-freeze may experience vomiting, sleepiness, disorientation, seizures and fast breathing rate.

They may also drink more and go to the toilet more than usual.