My Pet Ate My Weed, What Do I Do Now?

Education | Stoner Strategies

First Things First — Stay Calm

If your pet just ate your weed, the most important thing you can do right now is stay calm and act quickly. Cannabis toxicity in pets is rarely fatal, but it can be very uncomfortable for your animal and scary to watch. The faster you respond, the better the outcome.

What Happens When a Pet Consumes Cannabis?

Pets, especially dogs, are far more sensitive to THC than humans. Dogs have a higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors in their brains than we do, which means the psychoactive effects of THC hit them much harder and last much longer.

Common symptoms of cannabis toxicity in pets include loss of coordination and stumbling, dilated pupils, glassy or unfocused eyes, drooling excessively, vomiting, tremors or muscle twitching, slow or irregular heart rate, urinary incontinence, extreme lethargy or inability to stand, and in severe cases loss of consciousness.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours or longer depending on how much was consumed and your pet's size and weight.

Edibles Are More Dangerous Than Flower

If your pet got into your edibles rather than your flower this is a more serious situation. Edibles are significantly more potent than raw flower and the additional ingredients — especially chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or macadamia nuts — can be independently toxic or even fatal to pets. Treat any edible ingestion as a higher priority emergency.

What To Do Immediately

The very first thing you should do is call your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison control hotline right away. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop. Time matters.

You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. The Pet Poison Helpline is available at 855-764-7661. Note that these hotlines may charge a consultation fee.

When you call be ready to tell them your pet's species, breed, weight, and age, what they consumed and approximately how much, whether it was flower, concentrate, or an edible, and when the ingestion occurred.

Do not try to induce vomiting unless a vet specifically instructs you to do so. In some cases inducing vomiting can make things worse.

At the Vet

Your vet may induce vomiting if the ingestion was very recent and your pet is not yet symptomatic. They may also administer activated charcoal to help absorb the THC in the digestive system, provide IV fluids to support hydration and help flush the system, and offer supportive care to keep your pet comfortable while the THC metabolizes out of their body.

Be completely honest with your vet about what your pet consumed. Vets are not there to judge you — they are there to help your animal. Withholding information can delay proper treatment and put your pet at greater risk.

Will My Pet Be OK?

In most cases yes — with prompt veterinary care the majority of pets recover fully from cannabis ingestion. The experience is frightening and uncomfortable for them but with proper support most pets bounce back within 24 hours.

The key factors in outcome are how much was consumed relative to body weight, how quickly treatment was sought, and whether any additional toxic ingredients were involved.

Prevention Going Forward

Store all cannabis products in airtight, childproof containers out of reach of pets. Keep edibles in a separate locked container — curious dogs especially will sniff them out. Never leave cannabis products unattended on low tables, counters, or in bags your pet can access. Be especially careful with infused butter, oils, and baked goods as the smell is very attractive to pets.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet has consumed cannabis contact a veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.