You should never try to get your dog high. Intentionally giving cannabis or any substance that can make your dog intoxicated is dangerous and can lead to severe illness or even death. If you suspect your dog has consumed marijuana, this guide will help you recognize the dog intoxication symptoms and know what immediate steps to take for veterinary care for a poisoned dog.
The Severe Dangers of Marijuana Toxicity in Canines
Dogs are much smaller than humans. Even a tiny amount of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, can cause serious problems for them. Dogs process drugs differently than people do. This difference makes marijuana toxicity in canines a very real and serious threat to their health.
The central nervous system of a dog is very sensitive to THC. This means that even small exposures can lead to major changes in how the dog acts and feels. Putting your pet in this situation is harmful. It causes them distress, fear, and serious medical complications.
Accidental Cannabis Ingestion in Dogs: A Common Problem
Sadly, many cases of cannabis poisoning in dogs happen by mistake. Dogs are curious. They often sniff and eat things they find on the floor or in low garbage cans. This is often how accidental cannabis ingestion in dogs occurs.
Edibles are a major risk. They often smell sweet due to ingredients like butter, sugar, or chocolate, making them tempting to dogs. If you use cannabis products, you must be extremely careful.
Recognizing the Signs Your Dog Ate Edibles
It is vital to know the signs your dog ate edibles or any other cannabis product. These signs can start showing up quickly, usually within 30 to 90 minutes after eating the substance.
Common Behavior Changes
When a dog ingests THC, their brain function changes. This causes noticeable shifts in how they behave.
- Lethargy or Extreme Sleepiness: The dog may seem very tired and unresponsive. They might fall asleep suddenly.
- Ataxia (Loss of Coordination): This is a very common sign. The dog may stumble, wobble, or walk like they are very drunk. They might fall over easily.
- Hypersensitivity: Loud noises or sudden movements might scare them much more than usual.
- Vocalization Changes: Some dogs may cry, whine, or bark excessively. Others might become very quiet.
Physical Warning Signs
Physical symptoms are serious indicators that your dog needs help right away.
- Vomiting: The dog might throw up shortly after eating the substance.
- Urinary Incontinence: The dog might suddenly start peeing everywhere without control.
- Hypothermia: Their body temperature can drop dangerously low.
- Tremors or Seizures: In severe cases, the dog can experience muscle twitching or full-blown seizures. This requires immediate, urgent medical intervention.
If you see any of these signs, assume your dog has been poisoned. Do not wait to see if they get better on their own.
The Science Behind Canine Reaction to THC Exposure
Why does cannabis affect dogs so severely? The answer lies in how THC interacts with their bodies.
How THC Works in the Dog Body
THC binds to special areas in the brain and spinal cord called cannabinoid receptors (CB1 receptors). Dogs have these receptors just like humans do. When THC attaches to these receptors, it messes up normal nerve communication.
This disruption causes the wide range of effects seen during intoxication. The effects can last much longer in dogs than in people because they metabolize (break down) the chemical differently and slower.
Factors Influencing Severity
The severity of the illness depends on a few key things:
- Dose of THC: How much THC the dog ate relative to its body weight is key. Small dogs get sick much faster from small amounts.
- Type of Product: Oils and tinctures are often more potent than dried flower. Edibles containing chocolate or xylitol (an artificial sweetener) add extra layers of danger.
- Dog’s Size and Health: A smaller, older, or sicker dog will react more severely than a large, healthy dog exposed to the same dose.
This table summarizes the expected severity based on dose:
| THC Dose (mg/kg body weight) | Likely Severity of Symptoms |
|---|---|
| < 1 mg/kg | Mild effects, possible mild lethargy |
| 1 – 5 mg/kg | Moderate signs: Wobbly walking, drooling, urinary issues |
| 5 – 10 mg/kg | Severe signs: Severe depression, tremors, high heart rate |
| > 10 mg/kg | Life-threatening: Seizures, coma, respiratory distress |
Immediate Action When Your Dog Has Consumed Cannabis
If you know or strongly suspect that your dog has consumed marijuana, time is crucial. You must act fast.
Contacting Professional Help
The very first step is calling for expert guidance. Do not panic, but be quick.
- Call Your Veterinarian: Contact your regular vet immediately. If it is after hours, call the nearest emergency animal hospital.
- Call a Pet Poison Helpline: Services like the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline can offer immediate advice, though they usually charge a fee.
- Provide Full Details: Be honest about what the dog ate, how much you think it consumed, and when it happened. This information is vital for the treatment plan.
When you call, mention the specific concern: emergency vet for dog high. They need to know they are dealing with potential THC exposure.
Assessing the Situation: Home Remedies for Dog Ingesting THC?
Many people search for home remedies for dog ingesting THC to avoid a costly vet trip. However, relying on home cures for marijuana poisoning is extremely risky.
There are NO safe or proven home remedies that can effectively treat or reverse THC toxicity in dogs.
Inducing vomiting at home is generally discouraged unless specifically told to do so by a veterinarian. If done incorrectly, or if the dog is already showing severe neurological signs (like seizures), making them vomit can cause aspiration pneumonia, where they breathe stomach contents into their lungs.
Your best and safest option is professional medical treatment.
Veterinary Treatment Protocols for Poisoned Dogs
When you arrive at the clinic, the veterinary team will work quickly to stabilize your pet. Treatment focuses on supporting the dog while the THC leaves their system.
Decontamination Procedures
If the ingestion was very recent (usually within the last hour or two), the vet may try to remove the substance from the stomach.
- Inducing Vomiting (Emesis): Vets use specific, safe medications like apomorphine to cause vomiting under controlled settings. This is only done if the dog is stable and the ingestion was recent.
- Activated Charcoal: If vomiting is successful or if the drug has moved past the stomach, activated charcoal may be given orally. This substance binds to toxins in the digestive tract, stopping further absorption into the bloodstream.
Supportive Care is Key
Most of the treatment for marijuana toxicity is supportive care. This means managing the symptoms until the drug wears off.
- IV Fluids: Giving intravenous (IV) fluids helps flush the drug out of the system faster through the kidneys. It also keeps the dog hydrated, especially if they are vomiting.
- Temperature Regulation: If the dog’s temperature drops too low (hypothermia), warming blankets will be used.
- Monitoring Vitals: The vet team closely monitors heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and temperature continuously.
- Controlling Severe Symptoms: If the dog is having severe tremors or seizures, specific anti-seizure medications will be administered to keep the dog safe and calm.
Recovery usually takes 12 to 24 hours, though some milder cases resolve faster.
Risks of Dogs Consuming Cannabis: Beyond the Immediate Scare
Even if your dog survives an episode of intoxication, there are ongoing risks of dogs consuming cannabis that owners must consider.
Long-Term Neurological Effects
While rare in single, non-lethal exposures, repeated or extremely severe intoxication can potentially lead to lasting neurological changes. These might include subtle differences in behavior, anxiety, or sensitivity to stimuli.
Complications from Improper Home Treatment
As mentioned, trying to treat this poisoning yourself can lead to secondary, more dangerous issues:
- Aspiration Pneumonia (from vomiting incorrectly).
- Delayed treatment allowing the full dose to absorb, leading to worse outcomes.
The Risk of Other Ingredients
Cannabis edibles often contain other toxic ingredients. This complicates the canine reaction to THC exposure.
- Chocolate (Theobromine): Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs. If the edible contained chocolate, the dog is battling two poisons at once.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is extremely dangerous. Even small amounts can cause a rapid, life-threatening drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver failure.
When a dog eats an edible, the vet must test and treat for all potential toxins present, not just the THC.
Preventing Future Exposure: Safe Disposal and Storage
Prevention is always better than treatment. If you use cannabis products in your home, you have a responsibility to keep them completely secure from your dog.
Secure Storage Practices
Treat all marijuana products like potent prescription medication or poison.
- Use High, Locked Cabinets: Store all products—flower, edibles, tinctures, oils, and concentrates—out of paw and nose reach. A high shelf in a locked cupboard is best.
- Original, Child-Resistant Packaging: Keep products in their original packaging whenever possible, as these are designed to be harder to open. If you transfer product, use a strong, sealed container.
- Keep Vapes and Devices Separate: Vape pens and cartridges contain highly concentrated oils that are very toxic. Store these securely away from pets.
Safe Disposal of Dog Marijuana Products
Improperly discarded products are a major source of accidental cannabis ingestion in dogs. Do not just toss finished items in the regular trash, especially if the trash can is accessible.
- Seal Tightly: Double-bag all used material, including joints, blunt wrappers, and heavily soiled packaging.
- Dispose of in Secure Bins: Place the sealed waste in an outdoor trash bin that has a secure, heavy lid. If possible, use community waste disposal services designed for hazardous materials.
- Be Mindful of Yard Waste: Never compost cannabis waste. A dog might dig it up later.
Fathoming the Differences Between Flower, Vapes, and Edibles
The form the cannabis takes changes how dangerous it is and how fast symptoms start.
Dried Flower (Bud)
Dried cannabis flower has a lower concentration of active THC than concentrates. It often needs to be digested for the body to convert the THCA into active THC, which can slightly slow the onset of severe symptoms compared to an oil. However, dogs often chew and swallow the plant material, leading to full absorption.
Edibles (Brownies, Gummies, Candies)
Edibles are perhaps the most dangerous for dogs because:
- They are appealing due to smell and taste.
- They often contain other toxic ingredients (chocolate, xylitol).
- The effects can be delayed, leading owners to think the dog is fine until the full dose hits hours later.
Concentrates and Oils (Vape Cartridges, Dabs)
Concentrates offer the highest risk. They have extremely high levels of THC. A single drop of concentrated oil can contain enough THC to severely poison a small dog. Ingestion of even a tiny amount of oil or residue from a vape pen can rapidly lead to the most severe dog intoxication symptoms.
Legal and Ethical Perspectives
It is essential to look at the ethics and legality surrounding this topic.
Ethical Responsibility to Pets
Owning a dog means accepting full responsibility for their safety and well-being. Intentionally trying to intoxicate a pet is widely considered animal cruelty by veterinary and animal welfare organizations. Pets rely entirely on their owners for a safe environment. Causing deliberate harm or distress is unethical.
Legal Repercussions
Depending on where you live, deliberately poisoning an animal, even your own pet, can result in criminal charges related to animal cruelty or neglect. If your dog requires emergency medical intervention due to your actions, you will also face substantial veterinary bills.
Final Check: When to Rush to the Emergency Vet
If you are unsure about the severity of the situation, always err on the side of caution. Do not try to diagnose the level of intoxication yourself.
Go immediately to the emergency vet if your dog exhibits ANY of the following:
- Uncontrolled shaking, tremors, or full-blown seizures.
- Inability to stand or walk that does not improve within one hour.
- Difficulty breathing or very slow breathing.
- Uncontrolled vomiting lasting more than a few hours.
- Known ingestion of a large amount of highly potent product (like pure oil).
Knowing the signs your dog ate edibles and having the number for the emergency vet for dog high saved nearby are critical steps for preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take for a dog to show signs of being high?
Signs of intoxication usually appear within 30 to 90 minutes after the dog eats the product. If they ate a fatty edible, absorption might take longer, meaning signs could appear three to four hours later.
Can a dog die from eating marijuana?
Yes, a dog can die from marijuana toxicity, especially if they consume highly concentrated products (oils, vapes) or if the edible contained other dangerous ingredients like xylitol or large amounts of chocolate. Severe symptoms like respiratory failure or uncontrolled seizures increase the risk of death.
If my dog seems high but is still walking, do I still need to go to the vet?
Yes. Even if your dog is walking, they are showing significant neurological impairment. Because you cannot be certain how much they absorbed or what other ingredients are present, professional evaluation is necessary to prevent the condition from worsening into a medical emergency.
What happens if I wait to take my dog to the vet?
Waiting allows the full dose of THC to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This delays critical supportive care like IV fluids, which are needed to help the dog process the toxins faster and stabilize their body temperature and heart rate. Waiting increases the risk of seizures or coma.