House cats have ‘high levels of dangerous chemicals in their blood’

House cats have high levels of dangerous chemicals in their bloodstream, a study says.

Researchers at Stockholm University in Sweden found that cats who stay at home are exposed to brominated flame retardants.

The harmful chemicals are found in furniture and electronic devices and can cause health problems for the animals.

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The flame retardants have been linked to feline hyperthyroidism in previous studies.

This can cause weight loss and an irregular heartbeat, according to researchers.

Brominated flame retardants are a mix of chemicals added to products to make them less flammable.

The researchers at Stockholm University looked at samples of cat blood and dust from the same household.

“By taking paired samples, we have greater insight into the environment that the cats live in,” said Dr Jana Weiss, the study’s lead author.

“Moreover, the cats in the study spent the majority of their time indoors and therefore air and dust in the home is expected to contribute more than the outdoor environment.”

The study was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.