Pet Ate Cannabis: What to Do First

Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. Do not wait for your pet to show signs. Have the cannabis product label ready. Tell the vet the product type, THC amount, and how much your pet ate. If your pet ate an edible, tell the vet if it contains chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or macadamia nuts. These ingredients are also toxic.

Signs Your Pet Ate Cannabis

Signs start 30 to 60 minutes after eating cannabis. Peak effects happen 2 to 3 hours after eating. Signs can last 12 to 24 hours.

  • Vomiting
  • Dilated pupils
  • Wobbling or loss of balance
  • Drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Low heart rate
  • Low body temperature
  • Tremors or twitching
  • Agitation or restlessness
  • Slow breathing

Severe cases cause coma or seizures. Call a vet if your pet has tremors, slow breathing, or cannot stand.

How Much THC Is Dangerous for Pets

THC is toxic to dogs and cats. A dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight can cause signs. A dose of 15 mg per kilogram can cause severe signs. For example, a 10-pound dog (4.5 kg) can show signs after eating 14 mg of THC. A 50-pound dog (22.7 kg) can show signs after eating 68 mg. Edibles often contain 10 mg or more per piece. One edible can harm a small dog.

What Not to Do

Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you. Do not give your pet food, water, or milk. Do not give activated charcoal at home. Do not wait to see if signs get worse. Do not use human cannabis products on pets.

Prevention After a Cannabis Store Visit

Store cannabis in a locked container. Keep it out of reach of pets. Do not leave edibles on counters or in bags. After you visit a cannabis store, put products away right when you get home. Clean up any crumbs or spills. If you drop a piece, find it. Pets can find edibles fast.

What the Vet Will Do

The vet will check your pet's heart rate, breathing, and temperature. The vet may give fluids, oxygen, or medications for tremors. The vet may keep your pet for monitoring. Most pets recover with treatment. Without treatment, severe cases can be fatal.