From Socks To Skewers: The Everyday Household Items Sending Australian Pets To Emergency Vets
Every puppy owner knows the feeling. The missing sock. The chewed-up remote. The sudden, mysterious silence from the next room that usually means something is very, very wrong.
While many puppy mishaps end up as funny family stories told years later, some curious canine (and feline) adventures result in serious—and incredibly expensive—trips to the emergency vet.
“Over the years, we’ve seen some whoppers of claims when it comes to foreign ingestion, particularly for dogs under the age of one,” says Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia (PIA). Useful info in hindsight this can be amusing, the danger and cost can be shocking for many unsuspecting pet owners.”
According to claims data from Pet Insurance Australia, our companion animals are swallowing, chewing, and getting into an astonishing array of household items. In fact, PIA receives over 1,700 claims per year for foreign body ingestion*.
The financial toll can be just as distressing as the physical one. “Some foreign body ingestion claims submitted by PIA Pet Insurance policyholders have exceeded $15,000 in the past 12 months, underscoring the potentially significant cost of emergency veterinary treatment,” Crighton warns.
The Usual Suspects: What Are Aussie Dogs Swallowing?
When it comes to the curious mouth of a young dog, nothing is off-limits. "I’ve personally seen cases of young dogs ingesting knives, and even entire blankets, stones, whole tennis balls, and various medications," says Crighton.
Top 9 Most Common Foreign Objects for Dogs:
- Corn cobs
- Bones
- Skewers
- Socks and underwear
- Rocks
- Toy or pillow stuffing
- Balls
- Damaged or incorrectly sized toys
- Food packaging
Inside the Puppy Brain: Why the Urge to Chew?
While frustrated owners often describe destructive puppies as "naughty," veterinary behaviour experts say the truth is much simpler: they are just learning about the world the only way they know how.
Puppies explore their environment much like human babies—through their senses, and particularly through their mouths.
The Critical Developmental Stages:
- The Socialisation Window (3 to 12 Weeks): During this critical period, puppies are rapidly learning about their environment, developing social skills, and becoming increasingly curious. The instinct to mouth, chew, and investigate objects is a completely normal part of healthy development.
- The Teething Phase (3 to 7 Months): Puppies begin losing their baby teeth around three to four months of age, with adult teeth typically fully emerging by six to seven months. During this window, chewing spikes dramatically as puppies naturally seek ways to soothe sore, aching gums.
Research shows that chewing and mouthing help dogs develop jaw strength, play, and learn important social boundaries with humans and other dogs.
"Puppies are naturally inquisitive," says Crighton. "They investigate with their mouths, they chew, they pull things apart, and they can turn everyday household objects into fascinating toys. Unfortunately, things like socks, underwear, toys, corn cobs, batteries, string, and even children's toys can become serious hazards if swallowed."
"We often joke about the chaos of puppyhood, but some of these incidents require emergency surgery, hospitalisation, and intensive veterinary care."
Prevention is Key: PIA’s Top Puppy Safety Tips
The good news is that most of these emergency room visits are entirely preventable with proper supervision, proactive puppy-proofing, and appropriate mental enrichment.
✔ Secure the Rubbish: Keep all household rubbish bins tightly closed and inaccessible.
✔ Watch the Scraps: Never leave corn cobs, cooked bones, or food packaging within reach.
✔ Size Matters: Choose toys that are specifically appropriate for your puppy’s current size and chewing strength.
✔ Supervise Play: Keep a close eye on puppies during playtime, especially during their first year of life.
✔ Offer Alternatives: Provide regular mental enrichment and safe, vet-approved chewing alternatives to keep them distracted.
Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat... But It Might Cost $45,000
It isn't just canines keeping emergency vets busy. While cats and kittens aren't quite as chew-curious as their dog counterparts, they frequently succumb to emergency ingestion issues.
For felines, the primary culprits are long, linear objects like:
✔ Dental floss
✔ Hair ties
✔ Damaged toys
“What makes cats particularly vulnerable is their attraction to long, string-like objects,” Crighton explains. “While they may look harmless during play, these items can cause serious internal injuries and often require urgent veterinary treatment.”
The cost of a cat's curiosity can easily eclipse that of a dog. “We have seen costs for cats alone range from $3,000+ to an eye-watering $45,000+,” Crighton reveals, noting that Burmese, Maine Coons, Birman, and Domestic breeds top the list for these specific insurance claims>.
Fine Print & Disclaimers
* Data based on the last 2 calendar years.
> PetSure Health Monitor 2025.
Product Disclaimer: Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time prior to 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s Authorised Representative (AR) Pet Insurance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 85 113 507 850, AR 326233 (PIA). Pet Insurance Australia policies entered into for the first time on or after 8 May 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, PIA. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsuranceaustralia.com.au.
