Marijuana toxicity is becoming more commonly seen in dogs, with the legalization of this drug in many states. If your dog accidentally ingests this product, you must call your veterinarian for advice as they could suffer from various side effects.
Severity:
Moderate toxicity – depending on the amount consumed
Table of Contents
Key points
- Marijuana can cause a wide range of side effects in dogs
- You must tell your veterinarian what has occurred so that they can provide the correct treatment for your dog
- Treatment may involve inducing vomiting and/or supportive care
- Prognosis is favorable when prompt treatment occurs
Common in:
Dogs of any age or breed, but particularly young, curious dogs that are prone to eating things they perhaps shouldn’t.
Symptoms of toxycity:
The symptoms of marijuana toxicity can start anywhere from 5 minutes to 96 hours after ingestion and include the following –
- Sedation or lethargy
- Dilated pupils or glazed expression
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting
- Changes in heart rate
- Agitation
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Potential coma
Understanding the diagnostics
No specific diagnostics are usually required for dogs that eat weed if an accurate history is given. General blood tests and urine samples may be useful to help assess a dog’s hydration status as well as to check for any other concurrent signs of illness, but tests screening for marijuana specifically are impractical in pets.
Providing your vet with correct information will help greatly, as symptoms can be variable and confusing.
Learning about the causes
Marijuana (or cannabis) comes from the cannabis plant which has been dried for medicinal and recreational purposes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main chemical that gives rise to many of this drug’s psychoactive effects.
In most cases, ingestion in dogs is accidental, often because medicinal cannabis or cannabis oils are easily accessible at home.
If the drug is contained within a baked good or butter this can be even more attractive to your pet.
You should always keep products containing cannabis well out of reach of your dog or shut away in a secure cupboard. If you are smoking marijuana then you should keep your dog out of the room and ventilate your house well so that they don’t get any side effects from smoke inhalation.
Best treatment options
Make your pet vomit
If your dog eats weed or any other product that contains marijuana then you must contact your local veterinary hospital for treatment even if your dog seems ok. If they have only recently eaten the cannabis, your veterinarian may be able to give your dog medication to make him vomit. This will stop him from digesting the cannabis and reduce the risk of symptoms developing. Activated charcoal is often administered following this to bind to any remaining toxins and prevent absorption.
Provide supportive care
If your dog has eaten the product a while ago and has already developed symptoms then they may need more intensive treatment. There is no specific therapy for marijuana poisoning, but supportive care can help.
Your dog may require intravenous fluids which can help stabilize blood pressure, maintain hydration and help with temperature regulation. Medications may be given to counteract vomiting or to help treat seizures.
Hospitalizing your pet also allows your veterinarian to monitor them and keep them safely confined whilst the side effects of disorientation wear off. Most dogs recover well with appropriate care.
Home remedies and their effectiveness
You must seek veterinary attention, and not attempt any form of home remedies.
The quicker you seek treatment the better your dog’s recovery will be, so don’t waste any time at home and make sure you get your pet seen immediately.
When to see a vet
If you are aware that your dog has eaten anything containing cannabis, then you must seek veterinary care. This is especially important if your dog has eaten a large amount, or is showing symptoms of ill health.
Medicinal cannabis is becoming legalized in many states, so the chances of a dog accidentally coming across it in their household are getting higher. The Pet Poison helpline has seen a 448% increase in the number of calls they receive about marijuana ingestion in recent years.
Please don’t be embarrassed or afraid – your veterinarian will not judge you or report you to the police.
Your honesty will save valuable time and money and allow your vet to know what they are treating without the need for unnecessary tests.
FAQ
Cannabis toxicity is rarely fatal, particularly if treatment is sought promptly. The lethal dose of THC is thought to be 3g/kg body weight, with the average cigarette containing just 150mg. This means a 10kg (or 22lb) dog would need to eat 200 cigarettes for a deadly dose.
However, be aware that adverse symptoms can be seen at much lower levels. The effects are also dog dependent, with some animals can be more susceptible to side effects than others. Also, different preparations such as food containing medical-grade THC could be more harmful.
If your dog eats a weed brownie there are two concerns, cannabis and chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to dogs as they cannot metabolize a chemical called theobromine that it contains. Dark chocolate and cocoa powders contain higher concentrations of this chemical, with smaller dogs more susceptible to the toxic effects. You must seek veterinary help if your dog eats weed brownies as side effects could be fatal.
As well as the effects of cannabis, the butter itself may cause issues for your pet. Butter is very high in fat and could cause an upset stomach and potentially more serious pancreatitis too. Inflammation of the pancreas can be triggered through eating something fatty, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy.
Hashish, also known as hash, is a potent form of marijuana made by processing the trichomes of the cannabis plant. This gives a very concentrated form of cannabis which is usually used for smoking. If a dog eats this form of the drug, then side effects may be seen in much lower quantities than with normal marijuana. You should seek veterinary attention straight away.
Effects can be variable depending on the quantity consumed and the age and health status of the dog. For some dogs, the side effects may only last a few hours whereas for others it can take days to completely wear off.
Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat-coated retriever George!
