“UK pets poisoned by illicit drugs in record numbers, vets warn” — what this page in the network covers. Record numbers of UK pets are being poisoned by illicit drugs and nicotine, according to data from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), the UK’s only emergency animal poison centre. Last year, the VPIS received its highest ever number of calls involving animals exposed to cannabis, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and nicotine – a 42% increase over previous years – and is on track to surpass that figure this year. The surge reflects the growing presence of these substances in homes and public spaces, putting curious pets at risk of accidental ingestion.
Vets report seeing dogs and cats with symptoms such as disorientation, tremors, and lethargy, sometimes requiring emergency treatment. The rise in cases highlights a hidden consequence of changing drug use patterns, as pets become unintended victims. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.