To think a bitterant should be added to anti freeze

[ReallyTired]

A friend of mine has had both her cats die a horrible death from kidney failure. The problem with anti freeze is that it tastes sweet. Sometimes evil people hide it in food to kill cats that wonder into their garden. Or anti freeze is accidentky spilt on the ground. I feel that anti freeze should have an addictive to make it bitter.

[AtMyHouse]

I agree. Where is the place to start?

[DoinItFine]

Surely a risk to humans as well as cats if it is sweet?

I just presumed it tasted bad.

[HelenaDove]

I completely agree. I dont know how to start an online petition but if somebody else does i will sign it.

[Alabastard]

Someone on my estate has been using it to poison cats for years. Never caught. A bit of bitrex wouldn't go amiss.

[JellyBelli]

Havent they already done this in the USA? I assumed it was the case here as well.

[acatcalledjohn]

It can be added but is not a standard ingredient. I agree, it should be standard.

[ReallyTired]

I found this petition

www.change.org/p/uk-eu-parliaments-law-defra-ban-all-antifreeze-preparations-unless-they-contain-a-bitterant?tk=KQHppobDI1dUonh0QXz6BzFGXdPjouK1WP_-6U3apDU&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature_receipt&utm_campaign=new_signature

The govement response has been that they don't want to increase costs of anti freeze manufacturers.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-30261432

Not all anti freeze deaths are malicious. Sometimes anti freeze is just spilt by a careless person. Or people have added it unthinkingly to a water feature in the garden without thinking it though. Anti freeze is poinsonous to lots of animals.

I can't see that it would increase the cost that much if a bitterant was added to anti freeze.

[WeirdAndPissedOff]

As a consumer, I'd be more than happy to swallow a slight price rise in antifreeze to cover the additional costs. It wouldn't be more than a few pence anyway, I presume?
And as a pp said, its not just a risk to cats, but also to other animals, and potentially kids as well.

[Spottyladybird]

My cat died after drinking antifreeze. He was only 3, it was awful. I'm happy to sign any petition.

[liviadrusilla]

Very good idea - signed.

[Glastonbury]

My Mum drank some last year. My Dad does all the family cars. He had it in a pop bottle and went to the garage for something. My Mum thought it was pop and drank a mouthful. Thankfully she was ok.

[SpuriouserAndSpuriouser]

Several years ago my lovely little cat died after drinking anti-freeze left out by a neighbour. Several cats in the street, and the road behind us also died, and a few of us suspect it was not accidental.

I will be signing!

[TwinkleTwinkleLittleBat]

I think I signed a petition some time ago for this, but have signed again. It's inexplicable as to why this even has to be petioned for at all No product that is deadly to any animal or human should be allowed to be sold that tastes 'nice'. What on earth are manufacturers thinking of?

[ReallyTired]

I just wonder how we can get the risks of anti freeze more widely understood. I didn't know that anti freeze was so poisonous until my friend's two cats died. I wish the rspca could campaign for a bitterant to be added by law to anti freeze.

[crashdoll]

I have to, shamefully, admit that I didn't realise this was such a big problem. :( of course YANBU and I would happily sign, as well as pay any increased costs.

[ReallyTired]

It's depressing that the petition is four years old. It would be great if we could get the word out there. I don't understand why a large charity like the RSPCA can't campaign on this issue.

[littlefrenchonion]

I don't believe a petition is going to be terribly effective. The government won't be interested - it would provide no benefit to them to change the law. Rates of cat deaths from antifreeze doesn't pose a public health threat.

The best way to change things is as a consumer - only buy antifreeze products that contain bittrex (Blucol is one), campaign with companies that sell such products such as Halfords or Tescos (Tescos, I believe have already started putting lily warnings on their flowers and so have shown themselves to listen to their customers!). Tweet about it, link it on your Facebook, speak to friends and family.

Antifreeze poisoning is so awful to see :(

[littlefrenchonion]

Oh! I've just read Halfords have already done this. Good work Halfords!

[ReallyTired]

I am hoping this mumsnet thread will make people aware of the dangers. Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but I think most people are oblivious to the risks.

Someone who puts anti freeze in a water feature might not realise their actions will kill local cats, birds etc. The person who is careless and spills water coolant from their car or does not notice their car is leaking could cause the accidental death of next door's cat.

My friend's cats suffered a horrible death inspite of veterinary attention. My friend has seven hundred pound bill for one cat and six hundred pounds for the other. Thankfully her cats were insured. Sadly both cats are dead.