- Pet toxicity claims have risen significantly since 2020: +30% in dogs and +50% in cats in the U.S.
- Common household items—grapes, chocolate, and medications—remain leading causes of exposure
- Drug-related toxicities are the most expensive, often exceeding $1,300 per claim
- Xylitol and cannabis exposures continue to increase in clinical relevance
- Canada reports higher claim rates than the U.S., surpassing most states
Trupanion has released new data highlighting a sustained increase in pet toxicity-related claims across North America, based on analysis of more than 71,000 cases from 2020 through 2025.
The findings point to a growing clinical and financial burden associated with common household toxicants, with both frequency and cost trending upward—particularly for medication-related exposures.
Common Household Items Drive Most Cases
The majority of toxicity incidents stem from everyday items, including grapes and raisins, chocolate, and both human and veterinary medications. While food-related exposures remain the most frequent, medications consistently result in the highest treatment costs.
Xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum and foods, continues to present a significant risk, with average treatment costs approaching $1,400 per case. Cannabis exposures are also increasingly reported in veterinary settings.
Costs Vary Widely by Toxicant
Average treatment costs differ substantially depending on the substance involved. Medication-related toxicities are the most expensive, frequently exceeding $1,300 and reaching as high as $1,800 in some regions. Xylitol and plant-related exposures also rank among the highest-cost cases, while chocolate and grape ingestion tend to fall in the $800–$900 range.
Regional Trends Highlight Risk Variability
While total claim volume largely reflects population size, claim frequency reveals different geographic risk patterns. Louisiana reports the highest toxicity claim rate in the U.S., followed by Utah and Maine.
In Canada, the national average claim rate is notably higher than in the U.S., exceeding approximately 80% of individual states. Several provinces—including Prince Edward Island and British Columbia—report some of the highest rates overall.
Clinical Implications for Veterinary Teams
The data underscores the importance of client education and rapid intervention, particularly given the prevalence of preventable, household-related exposures. Cross-species toxicity risks remain a critical concern, and early recognition can significantly impact outcomes.
As toxicity cases continue to rise, the findings highlight the growing role of preparedness, both in clinical response and financial planning, to ensure pets receive timely and effective care.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
