A glass of Chat-eau blanc? Wine for cats on sale in Japan

Clearly more sophisticated than human beings, cats will at last be able to join their owners in sampling the taste of fine wine, after a Japanese company came up with a brew specially made for felines.

'Nyan Nyan Nouveau' is now on sale in Japan for 399 yen a bottle, or about £2.50.

The tipple will not leave your pet feeling like hell in the morning as alcohol has sensibly been left out. Mr Snookums might nevertheless feel a little light-headed as, in amongst the heady Cabernet grape juice, a measure or two of catnip adds a slight twist.

Only a thousand bottles of Nyan Nyan Nouveau are to be produced, and if you were tempted to put real wine in the water bowl, be warned: these pictures of hungover cats are not for the faint-hearted .