- Pumpkin Team
- 4 minutes ago
- 8 min read
At Pumpkin, we’ve reviewed thousands of veterinary stories of pets who’ve eaten things they shouldn’t — from socks and toys to chocolate and string. While it may seem baffling or even funny at times, these behaviors often reflect instincts, environmental stressors, or underlying medical conditions. With the holidays coming up, pets may be even more tempted to get into something they shouldn’t. Even if you do your best to protect them, pet emergencies can spring up on you when you least expect them. Here is a list of some of the most common (and dangerous) things that pets ingest, so you’ll know what to look out for and how much these “treats” may cost at the vet.
The Most Common Things Dogs & Cats Swallow
Here’s what Pumpkin’s claim data revealed were the most frequent foreign body and toxic ingestions in dogs and cats between 2020 and 2025¹:
In 2nd place for both dogs and cats were toys or toy parts. We were not surprised that this category made up 20% of our foreign body ingestion claims. We were definitely shocked at some of the other items pets swallowed.
Forbidden Foods: Chocolate, Candy & Other Human Treats
Chocolate remains the most common toxic ingestion leading to vet visits for dogs. Its appeal is understandable: chocolate is aromatic, sweet, and high in fat, making it irresistible to us – and our canine companions. Yet, even a small amount can be toxic due to theobromine and caffeine, which dogs metabolize much more slowly than humans.
Recent Pumpkin claims data shows:
Average chocolate-related vet bill for a dog: $1,100
This is a shocking number when you consider the average bar of chocolate costs about $3.45 in the U.S. We spoke with veterinary expert Dr. Mondrian Contreras, DVM, to better understand why the average cost of treatment could be so high.
“The overall cost of treatment, averaging around $1,100, can be influenced by factors such as the severity of the dog’s condition, the need for hospitalization, the complexity of supportive care, and any additional treatments required or diagnostics needed to manage complications from the chocolate ingestion.”
Dogs or cats that consume chocolate may require IV fluids, hospitalization, and more depending on the amount eaten. To be safe, it’s best to keep it out of reach.
What to do if your dog or cat eats chocolate
If your dog eats chocolate, it’s important to remember that you should not make them throw up unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Instead, take note of how much chocolate your dog has eaten and contact your veterinarian, local emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Poison Control hotline immediately. The same goes for cats, who, based on our data, also love to eat chocolate when they shouldn’t.
Other Holiday Treats that Tempt Pets
For other risky food items that dogs and cats cannot digest, like corn cobs or chicken bones, treatment can range from $500–$1,800. We are still scratching our heads trying to understand the physics of swallowing a whole corn cob, but unfortunately, many pets seem to have mastered it!
Dr. Contreras noted that “many common holiday ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and certain spices, can be toxic to dogs, and guests may not be aware of these dangers. The increased foot traffic, the temptation of delicious but dangerous foods, and the potential for unintentional feeding can create a hazardous environment for our furry friends during the holiday season.”
We try to keep a close eye on our fur kids, but sometimes accidents happen. Sneaking food off the holiday table can go from silly to scary very quickly. When it comes to emergency care for your pet, the last thing you should have to worry about is how you’re going to pay for it. That’s why you can expect lightning-fast responses to your pet insurance claims from Pumpkin.
All our plans come with an urgent pay service called PumpkinNow2 that can expedite eligible accident claims and send you money in minutes –– before you even pay the vet bill. With coverage answers upfront and less financial stress, you can focus on what really matters –– your pet’s care. Get started with a free quote to see how Pumpkin can help you prepare for surprises from sneaky eaters!
When Toys Stop Being Toys
Both dogs and cats often ingest parts of toys, drawn by texture, smell, or the simple thrill of chewing. A torn toy can release rubber pieces, stuffing, squeakers, or small plastic parts, which may lodge in the stomach or intestines.
The average vet bill to remove a swallowed toy or part of one from a pet is quite expensive:
Dogs: $2,500
Cats: $1,900
Despite the frequency of visits caused by a swallowed toy, each case is different. Toys can cause dangerous blockages, resulting in vomiting, constipation, or other serious symptoms.
Veterinarians consistently note that broken or damaged toys are one of the highest-risk items, particularly when pets are left unsupervised. Vets recommend inspecting your pet's toys often and tossing any that are broken.
Sticks and stones
That brings us to sticks, nature’s own chew toys. Unfortunately, sticks can amass costly vet bills as well, averaging $1,100 for dogs. Sticks break easily in the strong jaws of dogs, making it easy for shards and fragments to get swallowed or stuck in their mouths. This is why you won’t find many vets playing with sticks with their dogs. We’d love to say the natural dangers stop there, but Pumpkin found dozens of claims for swallowing rocks. In fact, rock-related ingestion had the highest average treatment cost of all –– $4,400+!
Dr. Contreras’ advice is “if pet parents suspect that their pet has swallowed something dangerous, such as a sock or part of a toy, the first step is to contact their veterinarian for a thorough evaluation. It's essential to get an abdominal radiograph, as this helps establish a baseline of what the pet's internal structures look like.”
From there, veterinarians can create a course of action. “The sooner we can determine the need for surgery, the better the chances for a successful outcome, so prompt veterinary attention is crucial in these situations.”
Home Décor Hazards and Cats’ Obsession with String
For cats, string is more than just a playful target — it’s an instinctual lure. The dangling motion resembles prey, triggering their predatory drive. Unfortunately, swallowed string can form a linear foreign body obstruction. This occurs when one part of the string gets stuck somewhere inside the GI tract, and the intestines attempt to move the other part forward unsuccessfully. Imagine what happens when you step on the loose end of a shoelace; the string gets tighter with any stretch or turn, tugging and pulling. This can lead to:
Intestinal bunching
Perforation
Sepsis
Emergency surgery
In terms of cost, a little bit of string or a hair tie can do a lot of damage.
Average vet bill for a string ingestion in cats: $2,500+
Average vet bill for ingested hair ties, thread, or shoelaces: $1,000+
Dogs may occasionally ingest string, but cats are most prone to serious complications from these linear objects. Contacting your vet or local emergency clinic is critical at the first sign of ingestion.
Clothing: Socks, Shirts, and Other Tempting Fabrics
Dogs often target socks, underwear, and soft fabrics like blankets. The smell of their owners, combined with a soft texture, makes clothing irresistible. Socks alone account for 8% of all dog ingestion claims, with average treatment costs of $3,500. Once again, these objects are so large that they often require surgical intervention, which can be very costly.
Cats, meanwhile, are more likely to focus on threads, elastic, and yarn, often swallowing small fragments. Whether it’s a full garment or blanket, or just sewing threads, it’s best to keep them out of reach for curious pets. Storing your laundry in a hamper and picking up loose hair ties is always a good idea when you can’t keep an eye on them.
We know that our puppies and kittens are eating things they shouldn’t, but why? There are several reasons why curious nibbles turn into swallowing whole scary objects.
Why Do Dogs Eat Everything?
Dogs explore the world with their mouths, so chewing or swallowing random items often stems from curiosity — especially with puppies. Dogs may also overeat or ingest non-food objects due to boredom, stress, or anxiety. Some dogs are simply drawn to interesting textures or scents, while persistent eating of non-food items (known as pica) can signal an underlying medical issue. If your dog regularly eats things other than food or treats, talk with your veterinarian about tests they can run to help rule out any major health concerns.
Why Do Cats Eat Strange Things?
Cats, like dogs, are prone to over-eating due to boredom and stress, and they can also suffer from pica. Most often, cats eat strange objects like plastic or string because the texture or movement is similar to hunting prey. While they can be enticing to cats and kittens, consuming things like plastic could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Cats are great at hiding illness or pain. If your kitty is eating things other than their treats or food, work with your veterinarian to identify any underlying causes.
Have a curious eater at home? Pet insurance can be a huge help in emergency care situations. With up to 90% of eligible vet bills covered, Pumpkin plans are designed to help you give your pet the care they deserve –– and worry less about costs. Find out more about what’s covered and compare your options with this guide.
Recognizing When Your Pet Has Eaten Something Dangerous
Early intervention is key. Common signs of foreign body ingestion include:
Vomiting or retching
Abdominal pain or bloating
Lethargy or hiding
Lack of appetite
Diarrhea or constipation
Blood in vomit or stool
Cats who swallow string may also paw at their mouths, drool, or have visible pieces in their mouths or around their rectums. Never pull the string — it can worsen intestinal injury.
What To Do If You Think Your Pet Has Swallowed Something They Shouldn’t
If you think your pet has swallowed or ingested something they shouldn’t, first things first –– stay calm. Doing so can help your pet stay calm in urgent situations.
Next, contact your veterinarian or your local emergency vet and explain what your pet consumed and when, along with any symptoms they have. Be prepared to bring them in for an exam. If you believe your dog or cat has swallowed something toxic like rat poison, you can contact the ASPCA Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435.
Be prepared for pet emergencies by filling out this card and keeping it in your wallet.
If your pet won’t stop eating strange things, talk to your veterinarian. There may be more going on than just curiosity!
Based on Pumpkin Claims data from October 2020 to October 2025. The examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible claim. Coverage and reimbursement rates vary based on policy options. This does not guarantee coverage. Individual results may vary and statistics may change during different time periods.
Qualified customers with eligible claims for treatments $1k or more could be paid in 15 minutes after submitting a request if their bank accepts real-time payments. For a list of RTP-enabled banks, visit https://www.theclearinghouse.org/payment-systems/rtp/rtp-participating-financial-institutions. For full terms & conditions, visit www.pumpkin.care/pn-terms.
