Veterinary poison experts in the U.K. are warning of a sharp rise in pets becoming sick after accidentally ingesting recreational drugs and nicotine products.
In 2025, the country’s Veterinary Poisons Information Service recorded 633 calls involving pets exposed to recreational drugs or nicotine, up from 445 the year before.
That represents a 42% annual increase and an 87% rise compared with 2021.
Dogs make up the vast majority of cases, with cannabis, nicotine products, cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms among the substances most commonly involved.
Many incidents happen after pets pick up discarded substances outdoors in parks, alleyways, walking trails and other public spaces.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they often investigate unfamiliar objects by eating them.
“We’re very busy at the moment, so I expect we’ll have a record year again this year,” said Nicola Robinson, head of service at VPIS.
Experts say dogs have been poisoned after eating drug-laced food, discarded nicotine gum, vape liquid and other contaminated material.
Robinson said dogs are affected far more often than cats largely because of their tendency to eat things they encounter while exploring.
“It’s quite remarkable what dogs decide to eat,” she said. “Cats think before they eat, so there are far fewer cases of cats being poisoned than dogs.”
Certain breeds may be especially vulnerable.
Veterinarian Aimee Warner said food-motivated dogs such as Labradors, golden retrievers and beagles are among those most likely to swallow dangerous substances.
One recent case involved a Labrador named Tokyo, who became seriously ill while hiking near the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.
Her owner, Christina Bluhme, noticed the 6-year-old dog suddenly behaving strangely.
“She was swaying, zoning in and out,” Bluhme recalled. “She just lay down and was completely lifeless.”
Members of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team carried the 24-kilogram dog down the mountain on a stretcher.
After reaching a veterinary clinic in Fort William, specialists determined that Tokyo had ingested cannabis.
She was treated with activated charcoal and kept overnight for observation before making a full recovery.
Another case involved Lola, a Jack Russell-pug mix in Cambridge, who collapsed after exploring bushes during a walk.
Her owner, Pamela Wesson, said the symptoms appeared quickly.
“Very soon after that, at home, her legs started sliding out from under her, and then she collapsed,” Wesson said. “I thought she was going to die.”
Cases like these have prompted veterinarians to urge owners to act quickly whenever drug exposure is suspected.
Rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen, Robinson recommends taking the animal directly to a veterinarian, who can contact poison specialists for treatment advice if necessary.
With drug-related pet poisonings continuing to climb, experts say keeping dogs on a close watch during walks and acting quickly after a suspected exposure can make a critical difference.