Cats and dogs being killed by ingesting owners’ drugs

The number of cats and dogs dying from consuming their owners’ cocaine is rapidly increasing year on year in the United States, demonstrating the drug’s growing use.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that the number of cats being admitted to an animal poison control centre in the US due to cocaine or methamphetamine has increased by more than half annually since 2019, and dogs by over a third each year.

The study identified “significant increases in cocaine exposure”. It highlights the far-reaching effects of widespread drug use, beyond users themselves.

Severe risks

Dr Orrin Ware, who authored the study, explained “we want to highlight that pets are vulnerable populations that can experience significant harm if exposed to intoxicating substances”.

The researchers concluded: “Animals are highly sensitive to the stimulatory and sympathomimetic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine.

“Any degree of exposure should be considered concerning, as there is the risk of severe toxicity and death”.

The NHS describes cocaine as a “highly addictive drug” which acts as “a short lived central nervous system stimulant” which has various long-term side-effects including heart damage, malnutrition and impotence, while an overdose can be fatal. Possession of cocaine carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence in the UK.

Spike in cocaine use

In October, it was revealed that a spike in cocaine use has led to an enormous rise in the number of drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales.

Deaths involving the Class A drug topped over 1,100 in 2023 – more than ten times those in 2013.

In total, almost 5,500 people died as a result of drug poisonings last year, the highest since records began in 1993.

Drug and alcohol treatment charity Change Grow Live said the “devastating loss of life” was “deeply saddening, unnecessary and unacceptable”.

Scotland

In Scotland, a report this autumn revealed over 600 children lost a parent or guardian from drug-related deaths in 2020.

In its report, Public Health Scotland examined official statistics from 2019 and 2020. Scotland has the highest drug fatality rate in Europe.

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray expressed his condolences to those affected and assured them, “we will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs”.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “This devastating report lays bare the toll Scotland’s drug deaths crisis is taking on families and communities across Scotland.”