Surprising truth behind famous ‘dog ate my homework’ excuse

Next time a child tells you they couldn’t hand in their homework because their dog ate it you might need to consider they’re actually telling the truth.
Homework is just one of many household items owners say their dogs have eaten, according to a survey commissioned by HCF.
However, homework is one of the less consumed items as it has only happened to seven per cent of dog owners.
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The most common non-food object eaten by dogs was sneakers with 32 per cent of dog owners experiencing their pooch doing this.
Tennis balls were also a common snack for dogs according to 24 per cent of pet owners.
Dogs are also eating toys (20 per cent), underwear (16 per cent), festive decorations (10 per cent), batteries (five per cent) and wedding rings (three per cent).
“While these incidents make for amusing anecdotes, they also underscore the importance of being prepared for the unexpected,” says Lorraine Thomas, HCF chief operating officer.
“Many dog owners might not realise just how dangerous everyday foods and objects can be.”
Stopping dogs from eating household objects can be a little tricky unless you catch them in the act or see evidence of their forbidden snack, but thankfully a majority of dog owners are able to prevent their dogs eating toxic human foods.
Eighty-four per cent of dog owners surveyed identified chocolate as being toxic to dogs, while 77 per cent named alcohol as another highly toxic human treat.
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Being aware of toxic foods and preventing dogs from eating household objects is not just dangerous for your pet’s health, it can be extremely expensive.
PetSure’s 2023 claims data shows treatment for ingesting toxins or foreign substances starts at $1,064 for non-surgical intervention and $5,000 for surgical cases.
The highest claim made for this kind of treatment was more than $41,000.
“While some pet parents might question the value of pet insurance, with no Medicare for pets or government subsidies like we see in human healthcare, vet bills can leave pet owners in a challenging spot,” Thomas says.
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