​Warning after kitten gets stuck in rat trap

Blue Cross is warning pet owners about the dangers of pest control after a kitten got stuck in a rat trap.

Twelve-week-old Bing needed our help after he got covered in thick and tacky glue that had been put down to catch rodents.

Emmeline Macedo, Deputy Nurse Manager at the Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton, London, said: “Bing’s owners tried in vain to remove the glue, which was stuck all over his legs and tail, even resorting to trying to shave his coat off!

“Unfortunately, he was accidentally cut when they tried this, so they brought him in to the hospital for our help.”

These traps are made from sheets of stiff cardboard covered in a strong glue and are designed to catch the rat or mouse as it walks over the pad. The animal is then stuck there until the trap is checked by the person hoping to catch it.

Emmeline added: “They don’t seem very pleasant and they certainly aren’t supposed to catch curious kittens.”

Bing was in good condition, other than the glue on his fur.  We knew that to dissolve the glue you needed to use vegetable oil, so we started rubbing this into the coat to break the glue down.  

Emmeline said: “Within a few minutes, most of the glue was removed, so Bing just needed a good shampoo and rinse to remove the oil.

"Needless to say, being a healthy and wriggly young kitten, Bing did not enjoy his bath, but at least he was able to go home all nice and clean.”

We advised Bing’s owners to remove all of the glue traps in the house. Hopefully Bing’s presence will be enough to deter any rats or mice from entering the house!