PEOPLE are unwittingly poisoning their cats because they are using the wrong flea products, it has been warned.

Alarmed at the amount of distressed cats being brought into his surgery, vet Dave Cumber today moved to highlight the dangers of incorrect treatment which has claimed the lives of some animals.

Mr Cumber, owner of Fielding and Cumber Veterinary Surgeons in Weymouth and Dorchester, said people are so desperate to rid their beloved pets of fleas they are rushing out and buying products in shops and on the Internet without even reading labels.

They end up buying anti-flea treatment which is either not suitable for cats or should only be used by professionals.

Mr Cumber said the danger lies in products containing permethrin which has been found to be the number one cause of cat poisoning in the UK, according to a report from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS).

Permethrin-based products are suitable for dogs and are widely available in pet shops and supermarkets.

But cats are particularly sensitive to it and exposure causes severe tremors, salivation and seizures.

Since the beginning of this year Mr Cumber has treated one poisoned cat a month on average. Most have been saved, but there have been a couple of fatalities.

"It is heartbreaking because the owners think they are doing the right thing and effectively end up poisoning their own cats. Much of it is down to people not reading the label of the products they are using," Mr Cumber said.

He said the problem had intensified this year because of the warm and damp climate which has led to an explosion in the parasite population.

Earlier this year, the Dorset Echo reported how an increase in the amount of ticks in West Dorset could spark infectious diseases such as Lyme disease.

Mr Cumber said: "It's been a bad year for fleas so people have been desperate to sort out the problem.

"Because of the climate we are suggesting treatment all year round rather than between, say, April and June.

"There are a wide range of products suitable for cats and people don't need to spend hundreds of pounds.

"I would suggest however they seek advice from their vet or at least read the label of the products they intend to use."

Information leaflets are available free from Fielding and Cumber.