These 10 pets just pulled off the most outrageous stunts that left their owners scrambling

Pets have a knack for getting into trouble when you least expect it.

Some of them take their mischief to a whole new level.

And these 10 pets just pulled off the most outrageous stunts that left their owners scrambling.

The most bizarre pet insurance claims of 2025

Nationwide Pet Insurance knows a thing or two about unusual pet behavior.

The company has been covering everything from routine checkups to the downright bizarre for years.

Their 17th annual Hambone Award celebrates the most outrageous pet insurance claims of the year.

The award got its name from the very first winner – a dog who managed to get himself stuck inside a refrigerator and ate an entire holiday ham while trapped inside.

When his family finally found him, all that was left was a licked-clean ham bone and one very cold dog with hypothermia.

This year’s nominees managed to outdo themselves with stunts that would make even the most experienced pet owners shake their heads.

Voting for the 2025 winner runs through August 12 at petinsurance.com/hamboneaward.¹

The stories range from hilarious to downright terrifying.

A bull-fighting dog and a tech-savvy cat lead the pack

Ziya, a Belgian Malinois from California, decided to play superhero when a loose bull wandered into his territory.

The brave dog jumped between the angry bull and his human companions on a foggy Bay Area morning.

His heroics came at a cost – the bull landed a solid kick to Ziya’s jaw that knocked out one of his teeth.

After some expert veterinary care, Ziya made a full recovery.

His family now checks for unexpected livestock before heading out on walks.

Salem, a shorthair cat from New York, apparently has expensive taste in technology.

The sneaky feline was suspected of swallowing a missing AirPod that vanished without a trace.

His worried owners spent hours using the Find My iPhone feature to track down the expensive earbud.

Two veterinary visits and several tests later, the mystery remained unsolved.

No AirPod was ever found, but Salem walked away healthy and ready for his next adventure.

The owners are still wondering where that AirPod ended up.

Some pets have unusual appetites for the inedible

Ozi, a Yorkie from California, took his TV watching habits to an extreme level.

The tiny dog decided to turn the remote control into his personal chew toy while his humans were away from home.

When they returned, they found one mangled battery and couldn’t locate the second one anywhere.

A panicked trip to the emergency vet followed as they worried Ozi had swallowed the missing battery.

Both batteries were eventually discovered hiding under the couch.

Ozi made a full recovery but is now banned from unsupervised binge-watching sessions.

Maddie, a Bulldog in Virginia, started getting sick for no apparent reason.

Her family was baffled until she began spitting up strange objects that looked like small bones.

The mystery was solved when they realized their preserved alligator decoration had vanished from the house.

Nationwide’s VetHelpline warned that taxidermy often contains toxic chemicals that can poison pets.²

An urgent veterinary visit followed, but Maddie bounced back completely.

The family now keeps all exotic décor safely out of paws’ reach.

Duke, a lab-mix from Ohio, proved that peanut butter can be dangerous when it comes with hardware attached.

The hungry dog was staying with his favorite dog sitter when he spotted a spatula covered in peanut butter.

Duke didn’t bother licking the treat off the kitchen utensil.

Instead, he swallowed the entire spatula head in one gulp.

X-rays revealed the plastic utensil sitting in Duke’s stomach, requiring an endoscopy to remove it safely.

He recovered quickly and now sticks to peanut butter without the kitchen tools.

Even outdoor adventures can turn into expensive vet bills

Hazel, a Dane-St. Bernard mix from New Jersey, had been watching a mysterious hole in her backyard for days.

Curiosity finally got the better of her and she decided to investigate.

The hole turned out to be the front door to a groundhog’s burrow.

The groundhog wasn’t happy about the unexpected visitor and left a little bite mark on Hazel’s paw as a warning.

A trail of tiny blood spots led her family to discover the injury.

Fortunately, Hazel healed up quickly and learned to respect groundhog real estate.

Wash, a mixed-breed dog from Tennessee, discovered that cicadas make a crunchy summer snack.

The bug buffet seemed like a good idea at the time.

But Wash’s stomach had other plans about his unusual dining choice.

The cicada feast led to some seriously smelly digestive issues and a complete loss of appetite.

A veterinary visit and a switch to a more conventional diet got Wash back on track.

He’s now working on developing more traditional food preferences.

Thanksgiving and BBQ seasons bring their own pet hazards

Foxtrot, a Great Dane in Texas, proved that size doesn’t guarantee patience when it comes to holiday meals.

The massive dog snatched a full turkey leg right out of his owner’s tongs the day after Thanksgiving.

Foxtrot didn’t bother chewing – he swallowed the entire thing whole.

Even though he seemed perfectly fine afterward, a call to Nationwide’s VetHelpline confirmed the bone needed to come out.³

Quick action from his veterinary team saved the day.

Foxtrot made a complete recovery and now keeps his kitchen heists to a minimum.

Boone, a Golden Retriever in New Jersey, learned that patience is a virtue when it comes to hot food.

The eager dog grabbed a piece of grilled chicken straight off the BBQ before it had time to cool down.

The hot bone immediately got stuck in his throat while also burning his mouth.

His quick-thinking family and an emergency vet visit saved the day.

Boone recovered fully from his BBQ blunder and now waits for his food to cool down.

Even flower arrangements aren’t safe from curious pets

Bella, a Havanese pup from Illinois, turned an innocent bouquet into a colorful disaster.

The little dog decided to sample the floral arrangement and ended up covered head to toe in green, blue, and yellow pollen.

Her upset stomach was the least of her problems – the bright colors made her look like a walking rainbow.

A veterinary visit and a photo of the flowers helped ensure Bella’s full recovery.

Her family now keeps bouquets well out of reach of curious little noses.

Dr. Emily M. Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide, said these stories highlight how unpredictable pets can be.

"Pets always find new ways to surprise us!" Tincher explained. "The Hambone Award shines a light on those unpredictable moments and the amazing teams who help pets recover."⁴

All of the nominated pets made full recoveries and their families received reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses through their Nationwide pet insurance policies.

The grand prize winner will receive the coveted Hambone Award trophy and a Petco gift card.

Two runners-up will also receive Petco gift cards.

Pet insurance has become increasingly popular as veterinary costs continue to rise across the country.

With more than 1 million actively insured pets, Nationwide is one of the largest pet insurance providers in the United States.

The company covers dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for accidents, illnesses and injuries in all 50 states.

These Hambone Award stories prove that when it comes to pets, expect the unexpected.

¹ Nationwide, "Bull-fighting pup and cat with taste for tech: Meet Nationwide’s annual Hambone Award® finalists," PRNewswire, August 5, 2025.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.