JAVMA Study: Kratom Exposure in Dogs and Cats Rose Steadily from 2014 to 2024

Why it matters

As kratom proliferates in households, pets face accidental exposure that clinicians often misdiagnose — the first peer-reviewed description of companion animal kratom toxicosis gives veterinarians a clinical roadmap.

The big picture

University of Florida researchers analyzed ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center records from 2014 through 2024 and found 139 companion animal kratom exposures, the vast majority in dogs. Calls peaked in 2021-2022, mirroring rising human kratom use. The study is the first in the literature to characterize kratom toxicosis across species, and the authors note that real incidence likely exceeds what poison control data captures.

Key findings

• 139 animals were exposed to kratom from 2014-2024: 128 dogs, 9 cats, 1 pig, 1 rabbit
• All exposures were through ingestion; two dogs also had dermal contact
• In dogs, the most common signs were lethargy/sedation (36%), vocalization (20%), and hypersalivation (16%)
• In cats, lethargy, dilated pupils (mydriasis), and vocalization were most common
• Over 60% of dogs showed signs with medium-to-high likelihood of being kratom-related
• Iniciado: Cases peaked 2021-2022 and have risen steadily since 2014

What they say

"Veterinarians should consider kratom exposure in the differential for nonspecific lethargy, vocalization, or nausea, especially in states where kratom is legal," the authors concluded in the study's clinical relevance statement.

Bottom line

The first peer-reviewed study of kratom toxicosis in companion animals documents a steady rise in dog and cat exposures and calls on veterinarians to include kratom in differential diagnoses for unexplained sedation or vocalization.