BigStock An analysis of more than 71,000 pet insurance claims from January 2020 through December 2025 shows a significant increase in toxicity-related veterinary visits across the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., claims for dogs rose more than 30 percent and for cats over 50 percent, while Canadian claims grew 19 percent for dogs and 27 percent for cats. Researchers examined poison-related claims nationally and by state or province to capture both total volumes and claim rates per 1,000 pets, noting that fluctuations may reflect environmental factors or evolving clinical practices. The most frequent toxicants include common foods—grapes, raisins, chocolate—and human or veterinary medications, with Xylitol and cannabis emerging as additional hazards. Xylitol claims averaged nearly $1,400. Regionally, California recorded the highest total claim volume (8,206), while Louisiana led in claim rate (1.75 per 1,000 pets), followed by Utah and Maine. In Canada, the national claim rate of 1.35 per 1,000 pets surpasses most U.S. states, with Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia exceeding Louisiana’s rate. Cost patterns show medications as the most expensive toxicants in many U.S. states, whereas Xylitol is slightly costlier than drugs in Canada. For more information, visit the Trupanion website.
