My Dog Ate Weed. Now What? Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog accidentally ingests weed or any other product of the cannabis plant, it’s normal to be worried about possible toxicity. According to Pet Poison Helpline, marijuana is one of the top 10 most common toxins reported by pet parents annually.  

If your dog ate weed, contact your vet or Pet Poison Helpline to determine what next steps make sense, depending on how much they ingested and clinical signs they are currently showing. 

However, even though a dog accidentally ingesting weed is common, prognosis for marijuana poisoning is good to excellent when medical care is provided, with full recovery expected within three days.  

The good news? Marijuana poisoning is rarely fatal and does not have lasting effects on your pup.  

Although it’s rarely dangerous to your dog, this doesn’t mean a dog eating weed comes without risk. Your dog may experience some fairly serious side effects that may warrant vet attention.  

Can Dogs Get High?

Yes. Dogs can become intoxicated from cannabis ingestion as well as inhalation, just like humans. 

When it comes down to how much weed is actually toxic to dogs, there’s no specific toxic dose. Dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans due to the increased number of receptors for THC in their brains. This means that even if your pup only ingested a small amount of weed, they may still develop symptoms that require treatment. 

What Is Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs?

Marijuana, also commonly referred to as weed, grass, Mary Jane, THC, delta-8, delta-9, and cannabis, comes from Cannabis (most commonly C. sativa or C. indica) plants.   

There are over 100 different chemical compounds in cannabis plants, but the two most well-known are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).  

THC affects the brain and nervous system and can be toxic, while CBD can be used for improving sleep, decreasing inflammation, and reducing anxiety. CBD has almost no effect on the brain and nervous system and thus has limited to no toxic concerns.   

In the U.S., marijuana is legal based on state laws and is available in various forms such as:  

• Plant material 

• Gummies 

• Edibles 

• Oils 

• Topical balms 

• Capsules 

• Vaping liquids  

Occasionally, when pets ingest CBD products, they may show signs of THC poisoning due to the possibility of THC contamination. There is currently little regulation on the manufacturing of CBD products, so traces of THC may still be present.   

What Happens To a Dog When They Ingest Cannabis?

When THC is ingested, it’s readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. THC binds to receptors in the brain that regulate motor function, mental activity, pain perception, and temperature regulation.  

This typically results in changes to these receptors causing lethargy, weakness, decreased pain perception, and low body temperature. Occasionally, it can cause stimulation of the nervous system(agitation)and high body temperature.

THC also causes direct irritation to the stomach, which can result in vomiting. Clinical signs occur within one hour and often last for up to one day.  

Common Signs Your Dog Ate Weed

If your dog ingests any type of cannabis, common signs may include: 

• Vomiting 

• Lethargy or agitation 

• Inability to stand or walk 

• Unable to swallow or difficulty swallowing 

• Ataxia (wobbly when walking) or swaying when sitting 

• Dribbling urine 

• Hyperesthesia (increased reaction to sound or movement) 

• Dilated pupils 

• Slow or fast heart rate 

• Low or high blood pressure, which may present as weakness 

• Low or high body temperature 

• Tremors 

• Seizures 

• Coma   

What To Do If Your Dog Ate Weed

If you think or know your dog ingested weed, please call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.  

If possible, locate the packaging for the product to provide brand name and ingredients. The more information you have regarding the type of cannabis and how much your dog possibly ingested will better help your vet determine next steps.   

Your dog will likely start to exhibit clinical signs within one hour after ingestion, but it can take up to four hours for the clinical signs to be fully evident. Keep in mind that some symptoms, such as low body temperature and low blood pressure, can’t easily be identified or treated at home.

If your dog allows it, take their temperature and monitor it consistently. A normal dog body temperature is 100.0 to 102.5 F. If their temperature goes above or below this, contact your vet. 

Many cannabis products are made with chocolate or xylitol. Chocolate and xylitol are extremely toxic to dogs, especially in large quantities. If your dog ingested either of these ingredients, seek emergency vet care immediately.  

Does My Dog Need Medical Intervention?

In many cases, dogs don’t need veterinary attention if they are only showing mild symptoms, since there’s no antidote for marijuana poisoning in dogs. Pet parents are often advised to watch their dog for any concerning clinical signs and to let them sleep off the ingestion.  

However, it’s still ideal to reach out to your vet or Pet Poison Helpline to discuss how much they ingested and any symptoms they’re experiencing to make sure they don’t need medical intervention. If your dog is having trouble breathing, not wanting to sit or stand, has a seizure, or can’t swallow normally, get them to a vet as soon as possible. 

Home Remedies for a Dog That Ate Weed

There are no home remedies for marijuana poisoning because there’s no antidote for treating a dog who ingested weed. If your vet determines that your dog can be managed at home while waiting for the THC to wear off, treatment will be focused on supportive care. 

While at home, your dog may become less active or have difficulty walking.  These pets should be kept in a safe and confined environment where they can’t fall off furniture, fall down the stairs, or bump into things. If they enjoy time in their crate, keep them separated with a comfy bed or blanket while they rest there.  

Some pets may become agitated, and as a pet parent, you may try to console or hold your pet. However, with THC, your pet may not recognize you and may become more agitated and try to bite.  

If your pet doesn’t like crates, keep them in a separate room with access to food and water and let them rest. Contact your vet if your dog starts to show any concerning symptoms.  

Prevention of Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs

Edibles with THC may be particularly tempting to a dog, especially if chocolate is involved. To keep your pup safe and to prevent cannabis toxicity at home, avoid leaving any type of marijuana edible in plain sight; keep them in a closed, elevated cabinet or a locked drawer.  

Never smoke or vape in the same area or even within the same home as your pet. Harmful chemicals can be released into the air that can impair your dog’s cognitive function and cause other health issues. If you cannot leave the area to smoke or vape, keep your dog in a separate area with good ventilation until the smoke or vapor has cleared.