Almost half of pets have eaten or chewed footwear, according to a new survey of Irish owners carried out by Petinsurance.ie.
The research* among almost 500 people, revealed that the most common items cats and dogs have sampled that they shouldn’t are:
- Shoes and/or socks - 46%
- Sticks and Furniture are tied at 39%
- Toys - 37%
- Dog bed - 32%
- Sweets / rubbish on the ground - 28%
- Faeces - 23%
Some pets have bad habits that put them at a real risk of poisoning, as the survey shows that:
- 16% of pets have eaten chocolate
- 5% managed to eat grapes or raisins
- 2% have consumed toxic plants
A lucky 15% of owners said their pet had never eaten something they shouldn’t.
Data from Petinsurance.ie** also shows health problems that could be linked to pets eating the wrong thing are very common. ‘Foreign body’ (such as a non-food item that has been swallowed), ‘gastroenteritis’ and ‘vomiting’ are all listed among the top 6 incidents that prompted insurance claims for dogs, and the top twelve causes for cats, between 2023 and 2024.
The data also highlights the cost of treating animals in these cases. In this same period, Petinsurance.ie customers made claims worth an average of €200 - €300 for vet bills, with some amounts reaching as high as €3,000 or €4,000.
Head of Pet at Petinsurance.ie Andrew Simpson says accidents do happen, but some simple steps can really help stop these problems arising:
Review your environment: You probably pet-proofed your home before your furry friend moved in and maintaining those standards can be really helpful. If footwear is their snack of choice, make sure shoes and socks are out of reach when not on your feet. If the kids’ toys are irresistible for your pet, make putting them away as convenient as possible so it’s easy to tidy up before any damage is done. Child safety gates can also be repurposed to restrict a pet’s access to some parts of the home.
Keep them busy: Some bad habits develop because your pet needs to use up their physical and mental energy. There are lots of appropriate puzzle toys on the market to keep them busy and a longer daily walk or play session can go a long way towards alleviating boredom.
Offer something better: If you see your pet eating something they shouldn’t, offer them their favourite toy to distract them until you can remove, or move them away from the other item.
Training: Adding the words ‘leave’ and ‘drop’ to a dog’s list of commands can be really helpful in the moment, even from across the park.
Andrew Simpson says most pet owners face the problem of a poor eating choice at some stage:
“Seeing pets do the unexpected can be one of the most entertaining aspects of having them in our lives. Unfortunately for them - and often your shoes - cats and dogs can make mistakes. While a damaged sock will often be the biggest problem, our data shows a trip to the vet is a real possibility, and owners should always seek their advice if a pet has eaten something they shouldn’t.
The specialist care provided by a vet in these cases can be expensive and that’s also why insurance is so important. Having an extra layer of support can give pet owners more options around health and treatment, allowing them to focus on what’s best for their pet, rather than worrying about costs.
“At Petinsurance.ie, all policyholders also have unlimited access to our 24/7 Pet Careline for general advice. Pet insurance helps cover unexpected vet bills, and helps ensure your pet gets the care they need."
Source:
*Petinsurance.ie gathered 493 responses from customers throughout Ireland via an online survey conducted in March 2026.
**Petinsurance.ie analysed claims data from 2023 and 2024. The data was analysed to find the most common claims.