Dog licking his chops
Chew Won’t Believe It: Adult Toys, Wedding Rings And Bank Cards Among The Bizarre Items That Sent Seven Million Pet Owners To The Vet
5 days ago 
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From swallowing wedding rings and adult toys to drinking alcohol and running straight into walls, Britain’s badly behaved pets are finding increasingly bonkers ways to land themselves at the vet.
New research from Pets Insurance, Pets at Home’s recently launched insurance offering, reveals more than two in five (41%) of UK pet owners - seven million households1 - have taken their pet to the vet following an accident or unexpected incident in the past year alone.
Chewing or swallowing something they shouldn’t is one of the biggest reasons pets need veterinary help, with two in five (40%) of owners surveyed saying their pet has at some point needed advice or treatment after doing so. The top 10 strangest items reported by owners are:
- Adult toy
- Wedding ring
- Bank card
- Front door key
- Wallet
- Half a rubber dumbbell
- Glue stick
- Christmas tree bauble
- Sock
- Birthday cake
It’s not just their eating habits that are causing chaos. Unexpected vet visits also followed injuries during play or exercise (11%), scraps with other animals (10%) and falls from height (8%). Owners also reported pets getting stung while trying to eat a bumblebee, falling out of a tree, getting their head stuck in a sweet jar and attempting a “backflip” off the sofa.
Even the best-trained pets seem determined to break the rules. Two thirds (66%) of UK pet owners surveyed say their pet still ignores at least one rule they have been taught, with the most common behaviours including ignoring recall (19%), eating things they shouldn’t (19%) and chasing wildlife (18%).
And for some families, pets are proving more of a handful than the children, with 27% of parents with pets saying their animal needed as many or more unplanned vet visits as their child needed doctor’s appointments.
To help owners, Pets Insurance shares some of the most common items pets may swallow, and what to do if their pet gets into trouble:
Watchouts: common items pets may swallow:
- Toxic food such as chocolate, grapes or onions
- Food packaging or wrappers
- Bones or cooked bones
- Socks, underwear or other clothing
- Houseplants
- Children’s toys
- Christmas decorations, wrapping paper or ribbon
What to do if your pet gets into trouble:
- Act quickly: Contact your vet straight away if your pet has swallowed something, been injured, is bleeding, choking, limping or acting unusually
- Do not try to treat it yourself: Avoid home remedies and do not try to remove anything from your pet’s mouth unless a vet tells you to
- Keep the details to hand: Note what happened, when it happened and any symptoms you have seen, and bring the item, packaging or a photo if you have one
- Keep them calm and safe: Move your pet away from the hazard, stop further running or chewing and follow your vet’s advice as soon as possible
Dr Tom Mowlem, MRCVS, Senior Veterinary Consultant at Pets Insurance added:
"Pets experience the world through their mouths, paws and noses, which means their curiosity can sometimes get the better of them. While it's impossible to prevent every mishap, giving pets plenty of opportunities to chew, sniff, explore and play in appropriate ways can help keep them occupied and less likely to go searching for adventure elsewhere.
"A pet that's suddenly chewing more, raiding bins or treating your home like an obstacle course could be telling you they need more stimulation. Simple activities like food puzzles, scent games, and regular play sessions can help keep curious minds busy and out of trouble.
"If your pet swallows something they shouldn't, don't delay seeking veterinary advice. Acting quickly can make a real difference and give your pet the best chance of a speedy recovery."
Introducing Pets Insurance
Despite all the surprises, almost a quarter of pet owners (24%) say they have never seriously considered pet insurance, while one in ten (10%) only started thinking about cover after their pet had an accident or became ill.
The findings come as Pets at Home launches Pets Insurance, offering lifetime cover from the UK’s most trusted pet care experts.* Customers can choose one simple policy, with annual veterinary fee cover ranging from £3,000 to £15,000. All policies cover accidents and illnesses, including dental treatment, with no per-condition limits, and customers pay just one veterinary fee excess per year.
Matt Poll, Managing Director, Pets Insurance, said:
“Pets are full of surprises, but sometimes those surprises mean an unexpected trip to the vet. Even the best-trained dogs and cats can act on instinct or curiosity, so accidents can happen to any owner.
“When a pet needs treatment, not having cover can make an already stressful situation even harder. Being prepared and having the right insurance in place can help give owners peace of mind, so they can focus entirely on making sure their pet gets the right care.”
*Based on YouGov survey, 26–27 Nov 2025. 55% of 1,084 UK pet owners trust Pets at Home. Total sample: 2,111 adults. Figures weighted.
Pets Insurance policies are underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Pet Insurance is a trading name of Pets Insurance Services Limited, registered in England no 16039818 and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority register number 1031077. Registered address: Chester House, Epsom Avenue, Handforth, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3RN.
Visit petsinsurance.co.uk for further information.
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