It happens more often than you think
Note: If you are looking for urgent veterinary advice for your pet who ingested cannabis, contact your vet or Pet Poison Helpline : (855) 764-7661 for assistance.
Since marijuana was legalized in Canada, the number of close calls related to pets ingesting cannabis has shot up. With colorful packaging that can resemble treat bags, and edible products smelling and tasting like popular snacks, it’s no mystery how or why curious pets could consume their owner’s cannabis. While a ‘high’ pet may seem like harmless fun, over ingestion of weed can cause a serious health risk to your furry companions.
How does cannabis affect the body?
Humans naturally produce molecules called endogenous cannabinoids, which bond to receptors and release enzymes to stimulate parts of the body. While it is not fully understood how this system works or its full potential, research has linked endogenous cannabinoids to effects on appetite, sleep, mood, pain receptors, and much more. Cannabis naturally produces many types of cannabinoids, the main one being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can bind to receptors in place of endogenous cannabinoids and creates the typical ‘high’ feeling.
Safe for humans but not for pets?
While there have been no known human deaths from ingesting too much cannabis, cats and dogs can become very ill and potentially die from eating too much. This is because cats and dogs have more cannabinoid receptors, making the effects of what they consume much stronger, so it is easier to overwhelm their body’s normal function. Besides causing lack of coordination and lethargy, similar effects to what humans experience, they also experience lowered body temperature, raised or lowered heart rate, and potentially seizures. Smaller cats and dogs, as well as those with heart conditions, are especially vulnerable to the effects cannabis can cause.
While cannabis on its own can create serious illness that eventually resolves over time, other ingredients in edible products can cause an even bigger health risk. Chocolate and xylitol (a sugar substitute) are even more toxic to pets than cannabis. If your pet consumes either of these, bring them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Signs of cannabis toxicity
If you suspect your pet has ingested cannabis, you should also start by inspecting your products for bite marks and ripped packaging. Pets can also experience effects from second-hand smoke, so if they were in a room with someone smoking or vaping marijuana, similar symptoms may occur.
Symptoms of cannabis toxicity
- Loss of coordination
- Vomiting
- Leathargy or agitation
- Loss of bladder control
- Swaying while sitting
- Dilated pupils
- Low temperature
- Trembles
- Seizures
- Coma
What should you do with a pet that has ingested cannabis?
The first thing to do if your pet has ingested cannabis is to contact your veterinarian. If your vet is unavailable, you can also contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for a paid consultation. If you still have the packaging for your cannabis product, have it on hand during your call to provide detailed information about what your pet consumed. If you made homemade edibles, look at the recipe if possible.
For mild cases, your vet may conclude that your pet can recover at home without medical intervention. In these cases, keeping them safe and comfortable is the priority. This can be done by keeping them in a crate or a secure room without furniture that they can jump on or bump into, to avoid injury while they are still affected. They should have food and water available, as well as blankets or pet beds for them to rest. Other items, such as toys or clutter, should be kept to a minimum to avoid overstimulation. If you have a pet thermometer, it can be used to monitor their temperature over time. While you may want to comfort your pet during this time. It’s important to remember that cannabis may cause agitation, leading to your pet to become aggressive when touched. In these cases, it’s best to leave them be as they recover and keep check-ups brief.
If your vet decides it’s better to treat your pet in their office, they may use several methods to stabilize their health. If they ingested the cannabis recently, or if there are other toxins involved, the vet may induce vomiting. If the body is already in the process of absorbing the toxins, they may choose to use more invasive methods, such as enemas or stomach pumping, to lessen absorption. Afterward, care will focus on management while the cannabis wears off, similar to what would be done at home. This can be done through nausea medication, IV fluids, heating pads, etc. Depending on the condition of your pet, you may be able to take them home to finish recovering.
How to prevent your pet from eating cannabis
Prevention is the best way to keep your pets from needing veterinary treatment, and that is especially true for cannabis toxicity. By following a few tips, it’s possible you will never have to experience this kind of health scare in your pet parenting life.
Safe storage is the best way to protect your pets. As pets are more attracted to scents, obtaining a smell-blocking bag or container to hold your cannabis products will make them less interesting to animals and prevent them from ripping through packaging. Locking items away will also ensure that your products are secure when you are out, giving you peace of mind that your pets won’t get to it while you are away. The original packaging should also be stored with the product for easy access to the ingredients if there is an emergency.
Pets should be removed from the room when cannabis products are being used. As mentioned previously, animals can obtain cannabis toxicity from second hand smoke or vape. And if you are consuming edibles, curious pets may become interested in what you are eating and try to get some. The same is true for any crumbs or pieces that accidently fall to the floor. You can relax with your pet afterwards, but to be on the safe side, you’re better off separating yourself from your pet as you use your products.
