Ask a Vet: What Happens if My Pet Eats My Cannabis?

by E. Mironchik-Frankenberg, DVM.

With the growing number of states legalizing the use of cannabis, access to products is becoming easier and more widespread. Unfortunately, with increased accessibility, there’s also been an increased incidence of accidental exposure to cannabis products in children, as well as pets. In fact, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center noted that in the first few months of 2019 there was a 765 percent increase in calls about marijuana ingestion by animals, compared to the same period the year before.⁴

While this trend is alarming, it’s important to know what this could mean for your pet. That is why so many pet parents are asking “What happens if my pet eats my cannabis?”

Pet owners should realize that there are multiple ways in which pets can be inadvertently exposed to cannabis:

Inhaling second-hand smoke, or simply being in the same room with people who are smoking.
Eating edibles (i.e. baked goods, candies, chocolate bars, and any number of cannabis infused foods which are too tempting to resist).
Ingesting the flower directly (i.e. grabbing the bud off the coffee table or stealing the roach out of the ashtray).
By access to other medicinal products inadvertently left within reach (i.e. a bottle of cannabis tincture left on the bedside table).
Rare instances of atypical exposure, such as the recently reported consumption of human feces or careless disposal of cannabis in public locations.⁷
In addition, at this time of year, if Santa leaves cannabis gifts under the tree or in a stocking…your pet may find it first!

Overall, most reported exposures are via accidental ingestion, when curious pets use their incredible sense of smell to discover products or when careless owners leave their products within reach.

What happens to my pet if it is accidentally exposed?

According to the Pet Poison Helpline’s website, the toxicity level for ‘marijuana’ is rated as mild.¹ The signs can be quite variable however, depending on the size and species of pet, and the type and amount of cannabis the pet consumed. If an edible product was consumed, especially in large amounts, the additional fatty ingredients can wreak havoc on a pet’s gastrointestinal system. In addition, pets can suffer serious consequences from eating the packaging as well, such as plastic bags, glass, or plastic cartridges. Another factor to consider is whether the exposure is to licensed, packaged products versus goodies that are “home-made.” Home-made edibles do not have any detailed info on contents or amount of active ingredients, and these can be extremely potent.

Therefore, the clinical signs you may witness can either be from the cannabis itself, other ingredients in the product, (such as chocolate), and/or ingestion of potentially dangerous packaging material. While all these situations can pose dangers for your pet, for the purpose of this article, we’ll stick to the concerns of cannabis itself.

In the case of accidental cannabis exposure, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component, is the most likely culprit if your pet is showing any abnormal behavior or acting “high.”

How can I tell if my pet is “high”?

First, intentionally getting your pet “high” or “stoned” is not fun for them! They will likely be scared, stressed and feeling sick. From all accounts, it is not an enjoyable experience for our four-legged friends and in fact, they will probably feel quite miserable.

Initially, and if only a small amount is consumed, the signs can be rather vague or inconspicuous. Pets may be slightly anxious or disoriented, lethargic, or overly sensitive to light and sound.

However, if a large amount has been consumed, more intense symptoms can include:

Incoordination or wobbling movements
Wide-based stance, rocking back and forth
Glazed-over appearance to the eyes, dilated pupils
Drooling
Dribbling urine

The above signs can progress to more severe changes and neurological symptoms, such as falling over, inability to move, vomiting, changes in temperature or heart rate, tremors, seizures and coma.

For a detailed description of THC toxicity, please refer to the previous article “Is THC Safe for Pets? What Owners Need to Know.”

What can I do for my pet?

If you are lucky enough to witness your pet in the act of being naughty, you should act fast. The goal is to get the cannabis out of their system. Remove any material from their mouth and induce vomiting as soon as possible. Call your vet for specific instructions on how to do this at home or bring them in immediately. It is important to know that this step should only be performed before the onset of signs or symptoms.

If you see evidence of accidental consumption, but don’t know when the exposure occurred, try and determine how much your pet may have eaten. The effects of cannabis are dose-dependent so, for instance, a 10 mg THC infused candy would have a much greater effect on a 10-pound chihuahua than a 60-pound Labrador. Also, the effects of cannabis can be different for every individual, and many factors come into play, so there is no known standard “toxic” dose.

If your dog is acting strange, displaying any of the signs above, and/or you suspect he got into cannabis, try to find the evidence and determine what, if anything, is missing.

In any case, your pet’s clinical signs, the product it was exposed to, and your comfort level will determine if he needs to be seen by a veterinarian. Mild cases can be managed at home if there is a quiet place for the pet to rest with supervision. Remember that it can take several hours before the full effects are seen. When in doubt, err on the safe side and go to the clinic.

Package information is important, not only to estimate the amount of THC, but also to determine if there are any other potential contaminants or toxic principles, such as chocolate, in the item. I would urge any pet parent whose pet consumed cannabis in a product that also contains ingredients that are known to be dangerous to pets, such as chocolate or xylitol, to see their veterinarian. In these cases, the combined effects of THC and other known toxicants can exponentially increase the risks. Please take any packaging to the clinic with you. The veterinarian needs as much information as possible in order to ensure the best outcome for your pet. Fortunately, according the ASPCA, most marijuana exposures are not serious,⁴and treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive.

How to avoid the above scenario.

Remember, pets don’t always learn from their mistakes, as anyone with a ‘chow-hound’ or Labrador can attest. Luckily, these situations are completely preventable! For the most part, avoidance is just common sense.

At the very least, simply keep your products out of reach. Locking them up, storing in secure containers, or keeping them in a closed cabinet or high shelf will prevent even the most agile of pets from gaining access. Also, clearly label any items that are open or have missing packaging.

Remember that while cannabis can provide a pleasurable, recreational experience for us, there is no appropriate similar use in the animal world. As far as your pet is concerned, the best things in life are your love and affection, and a yummy food treat!

Taking these few simple steps can help keep your pet safe and ensure that everyone has a happy, healthy holiday season!

** “All information provided above is intended to be educational only and does not represent veterinary medical advice. Please see your pet’s regular medical provider with whom you have a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship for discussion and treatment. Any discussion of dosing or how to use medial cannabis products is not a legal prescription, recommendation, or endorsement. Use of medical cannabis products in an animal species should only be done after a full examination and discussion with a licensed veterinarian in compliance with all applicable laws.”

Author’s note: * The term ‘marijuana’ is largely regarded by those in the cannabis industry as a controversial word that was created to mislead the general public in the early 1900’s. Its derogatory connotation was used to fuel the racially charged, negative stigma surrounding cannabis use. When used by this author, it is done reluctantly and to 1) highlight the general negative perception shown by some towards cannabis 2) as a direct reflection of use by another source or 3) to avoid confusion by using common nomenclature.

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Ask a Vet: What Happens if My Pet Eats My Cannabis?

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