Your Pet Ate What?! 2011’s Most Unusual Ingestion Claims

Harley the pug may have captured the 2011 VPI Hambone Award® when he ate more than 100 rocks, but he wasn’t the only pet with an unusual appetite this year. VPI received more than 6,500 foreign object ingestion claims from January through November. While many pets opted to snack on commonly ingested items, such as socks and underwear, others chose to explore inanimate objects of a different variety.

To commemorate the dubious achievements made by these pets, VPI had our employees sing a tribute to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas:

Following is the complete list of notable items that passed the lips of VPI-insured dogs and cats in 2011. All pets made full recoveries and received insurance reimbursements for eligible expenses.

VPI policyholders spent nearly $5.2 million treating pets that ingested foreign objects in the eleven-month period. Surgery to remove foreign objects from the stomach of a pet cost an average of $1,472; while surgical removal from the intestines was $1,910 on average. Symptoms of foreign body ingestion include depression, a reluctance to eat or drink, vomiting and occasionally diarrhea. If a pet owner suspects foreign object ingestion, the animal should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

To prevent costly emergencies, VPI recommends closely monitoring pets’ behaviors and environment. Items small enough to be swallowed should be placed safely out of reach. Pet parents should also be careful to select toys that are appropriate for all animals in the home and to monitor the items for small pieces that may have been eaten. While preventative measures are essential for pet safety, the 2011 list of unusual ingestions is proof that pets – and their appetites – are often unpredictable.