Cats are notorious for chasing shiny items that catch their eye, we are now past the stage of tinsel on the Christmas tree but we are most certainly at a time when batteries are often lying around, especially the very small ones. Irrespective of whether they are Lithium or Alkaline they can cause serious damage to a cat when swallowed. If they are punctured the Alkaline batteries contain a corrosive chemical which can cause serious burns. Even if a battery is not punctured it can be lodged in the throat which is a recipe for pain and suffering.
We have been told by our vet that this time of year sees a spike in visits from cat owners who often appear with an unhappy cat, a chewed battery, a chewed up battery powered toy or a combination of the three.