Almost nine out of 10 vets in London have treated cats for injuries caused by road traffic accidents, a survey has revealed.

Being hit by vehicles is the most common cat emergency, and our feline friends are twice as prone to road injuries as their canine counterparts, the research by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) shows.

The BVA polled more than 800 vets across the UK and found that overall 90 per cent reported having treated cats for injuries caused by road traffic accidents, falling from a height and walking on hot surfaces in the past year.

Veterinary surgeon and BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said: "Vets are seeing a shocking number of cat injuries in their surgeries.

“These statistics should make owners stop and think about whether their homes and gardens are safe enough for their cats.

"Cats are agile and adaptable animals, but their nine lives are a myth.

“The good news is that cat owners can take some simple steps to protect their pets from the most common accidents and injuries, including using reflective collars, keeping cats indoors overnight, and being careful in the kitchen and with open windows.”

Keep your cats as safe as possible by following this advice from the BVA:

  • Keep your cat safe indoors overnight.
  • Get a reflective collar, which will improve your cat’s visibility to drivers on the streets in early and late hours.
  • A neutered cat roams less and stays closer to home, lessening the RTA risk
  • Ensure that windows above the ground floor are not opened wide enough for a cat to fall through.
  • Keep cats away from the kitchen when cooking. Make sure hobs are properly cooled and covered before allowing access again.