Felix the cat gets head stuck in Whiskas tin Published duration 10 November 2015

image copyright PDSA image caption Felix the cat had to have emergency surgery to remove a tin can stuck on his head

A hungry cat called Felix was rescued from a Whiskas tin in a calamitous mash-up of cat food brands.

The former stray, believed to be about five months old, was scavenging in a neighbour's bin in Bedworth when he got his head stuck in the metal can.

Felix bears an uncanny resemblance to the cartoon moggy used to advertise the cat food of the same name.

But vets had to rescue him from his metal mishap, stuck head first in a tin containing rival Whiskas meat.

Owner Sam Wellbank, 34, called Felix in for his breakfast and was greeted by the distressing sight.

"I heard a clatter as Felix jumped over the fence into the garden and when I looked outside, he was sat on the grass with the food can stuck fast on his head," she said.

"We picked him up but he was very stressed and trying to claw us. He was meowing loudly and was obviously in a lot of discomfort."

image copyright DAVE BAGNALL image caption Felix the cat had thanked PDSA veterinary nurse Debbie Evans with a head rub

She rushed him to the PDSA's Pet Hospital in Coventry where he was taken into surgery and freed from his tin trap.

Felix suffered a cut to his ear and had a high temperature after surgery.

Veterinary nurse Debbie Evans, who admitted Felix, said staff were concerned he could suffocate if the can was not removed, and warned people to take care when leaving cans and glasses out for recycling.

"The sharp edges on tins and glass cause obvious risks to pets and wildlife, so we'd recommend keeping recycling covered or enclosed, if at all possible," she said.