Signs Your Pet Ate Cannabis: Symptoms and Timeline

Signs Your Pet Ate Cannabis

The main signs in dogs are vomiting, lethargy, wobbling, and urine dribbling. Other signs include dilated pupils, tremors, and a slow heart rate. Onset runs 30 to 60 minutes after smoke exposure and 1 to 3 hours after eating cannabis. Edibles can delay onset up to 12 hours.

cannabis poisoning in pets symptoms

Symptoms by Body System

• Stomach: vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite.
• Nerves: stumbling, head tilt, tremors, twitching, sensitivity to touch.
• Eyes: wide pupils, slow pupil reaction to light.
• Bladder: urine leaking, loss of house training.
• Heart: heart rate under 60 beats per minute in dogs.
• Body temperature: below 100 F (37.8 C) in dogs.
• Behavior: depression, unresponsiveness, agitation in some cats.

Severe Signs

Seizures, coma, and slow breathing occur in a small number of cases. Death is rare. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that death from cannabis toxicosis in pets is uncommon.

how much cannabis is toxic to dogs

Timeline

Signs peak 1 to 4 hours after exposure. Most pets recover in 12 to 72 hours with supportive care. Concentrates and edibles cause longer episodes. Fat in chocolate or peanut butter slows absorption and delays signs.

how much cannabis is toxic to dogs

Dose and Risk Factors

Dogs are more sensitive to THC than cats. THC content varies by product. A 10 mg gummy can cause signs in a 20 lb dog. Edibles with chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or macadamia nuts add separate toxic risks. Xylitol causes low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.

What to Do

1. Call a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Fees apply.
2. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. Vomiting can cause aspiration in a sedated pet.
3. Keep the pet warm and quiet. Limit handling.
4. Save the package or wrapper for THC content and other ingredients.
5. Tell the vet the time of exposure and the amount.

Look-Alikes and Testing

Other causes share these signs: ethylene glycol, ivermectin, compost molds, and head trauma. A vet can run a urine drug test. In-house urine screens are not validated for pets and can give false results, so a positive result alone does not confirm cannabis.