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Pet owners up and down the country have been claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars for vet treatment due to dogs and cats swallowing fishhooks, Nerf gun pellets and delicious-for-humans-but-toxic-to-dogs raisins. The Southern Cross Pet Insurance (SCPI) team also sees cases of pets ingesting poisons and other less-than-ideal stuff when out and about walking for much needed exercise.

Recent media stories of pups getting sick due to suspected meth ingestion while out walking is a real cause for concern. It’s heartbreaking to see them suffer, and treatment also comes at a high cost for families without pet insurance. Many households are under financial stress right now says Kerri Murray, former vet nurse and Business Development Manager at SCPI.

You do want to let your dog off-leash where you are able, so they can explore and get the exercise and socialisation they need for a rewarding and healthy life. But you really need to keep an eye on where they roam and what they get their paws on. If the worst happens and they get stuck into something dangerous while you are out walking – whether that’s a puffer fish, fish frame or you suspect they’ve swallowed drugs abandoned in a park – get them to a vet pronto. The faster they are seen, the better the chance of a positive outcome.

Here’s what to look for if you suspect your pooch has eaten something it shouldn’t have.

Training your pooch around food

Mark Vette, renowned animal behaviourist and SCPI ambassador offers some helpful tips here for training your dog not to consume things other than the food and treats you give them, including understanding what’s dangerous, how to avoid begging behaviour, how to prevent them jumping up and how to teach them to ask for what they want politely.

Keeping your dog safe on walks

Situational awareness is extremely important when you're walking your dog. Keep your wits about you, and always be monitoring for potential triggers for your dog, or hazards (including items that might be dangerous for your dog to ingest). It's much easier to call your dog away from an item they haven't yet gotten stuck into, than it is to get them to drop something they're already halfway through gobbling up! Here’s a great video from Mark which offers advice on recall and how to stop your dog from going after something it shouldn’t.

Also regularly practise a ‘Leave It’ command, so you can use this if your dog does spot something potentially hazardous. It's also helpful to carry a pocketful of tasty treats when you're out walking your dog, so you can offer to "swap" the hazardous item for a delicious tidbit.

Safety at home

Pet-proofing your home is essential to preventing accidents and keeping your pet healthy and happy. This includes anything from locking away poisonous substances, which for pets can include every day human foods, to preventing access to sharp objects, electrical cords, and more. The process also gives you peace of mind knowing your home is a safe and secure environment for your furry friend, whether you’re at home or not.

In 2023 SCPI received over 800 claims, totalling more than $850,000, for vet treatment for ingestion of a foreign object, or in other words, pets getting their paws on something they shouldn’t. By identifying and addressing potential hazards and risks, you can create a safe and secure environment for your pet to thrive in.

Secure hazardous items: Store items such as cleaning supplies, medications, and chemicals in a locked cabinet or out of your pet's reach.

Cover electrical cords: Cover or hide electrical cords to prevent your pet from chewing on them and risking electrocution.

PawsOff! the human food: While many New Zealanders are aware chocolate is toxic to pets, a recent survey by SCPI showed 40 per cent of New Zealanders do not know that raisins, currants and sultanas are also unsafe. Likewise, 30 per cent are unaware walnuts and macadamias are unsafe, and over 50 per cent have no idea avocados represent a threat. ‘Avo’ toast should be off the menu. SCPI teamed up with New Zealand Veterinary Association to launch the very first PawsOff! food safety label to help owners understand what’s not safe to share with your pet, so if you are unsure check out the website.

Keep rubbish secured: Keep rubbish secured with a lid to prevent your pet from eating spoiled or toxic foods (as mentioned above). It will also prevent your pets from getting into rubbish that could choke or poison them!

Check for choking hazards: Remove small objects that your pet could swallow and choke on, including toys, jewellery, and rubber bands. Ensure that these items are put out of reach, that includes the bench hoppers who try pick up any last crumb left on the kitchen bench.

Protect your furniture: Cover sharp edges and corners on furniture to prevent injury to your pet. A safe trick to stop puppies chewing on wooden furniture is to dab clove oil, which you can get from any pharmacy, on potentially affected parts of chairs and tables. It will discourage them and makes for a nicely fragranced house for a while.