New research from Pets Insurance, the recently launched insurance offering from UK pet care group Pets at Home, has found that 41 percent of UK pet owners, representing approximately seven million households, have taken their pets to a vet following an accident or unexpected incident in the past year.
The survey, conducted by Censuswide among 1501 UK dog and cat owners between 26 June and 1 July 2026.
It found that swallowing inappropriate objects was a major reason for veterinary consultations. Two in five (40%) respondents said their pets had required veterinary advice or treatment after eating something they should not. Reported items included adult toys, wedding rings, bank cards, front door keys, wallets, glue sticks and Christmas decorations.
Other incidents leading to unexpected veterinary visits included injuries during play or exercise (11%), fights with other animals (10%) and falls from heights (8%). Some owners also reported pets getting stung while trying to eat bees and getting their heads stuck in containers.
The findings also highlighted challenges with pet behaviour. Around 66 percent of owners said their pets ignored at least one training rule, with recall, inappropriate eating and chasing wildlife among the most common behaviours.
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.”
He recommended food puzzles, scent games and regular play to provide mental stimulation. He also advised owners to contact a vet immediately if their pet swallowed a potentially harmful object.
Pets Insurance recommends keeping potentially dangerous household items, food and decorations away from pets to reduce accidental ingestion.
