Cannabis Toxicity in Dogs: Treatment & Emergency Steps

What to do first

Call a veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline right away. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Dogs are more sensitive to THC than humans, and edibles can contain dangerous amounts of chocolate or xylitol. There is no home antidote. Early veterinary care prevents severe complications like seizures, coma, and aspiration pneumonia.

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Prerequisites

• Veterinarian or emergency animal hospital phone number.
• Pet poison control hotline number (ASPCA APCC or Pet Poison Helpline).
• Information about what the dog ate: product type, amount, THC concentration, time of ingestion.
• Your dog's weight and current medications.

Step-by-step: Immediate response

1. Call the vet or poison control. Tell them the dog's weight, what was eaten, and when. They will decide if you should bring the dog in or induce vomiting.
2. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. Some dogs vomit on their own. Forcing it can cause aspiration.
3. Remove access to the rest of the product. Keep the packaging for the vet.
4. Keep the dog calm and warm. Cover with a blanket. Do not let the dog walk or climb stairs.
5. Transport the dog to the vet. Use a crate or a firm, flat surface. Keep the head lower than the body if vomiting.
6. Do not give food, water, charcoal, milk, oil, or any home remedy. Do not give human medications.

What veterinary treatment looks like

1. Veterinarian performs a physical exam and checks vital signs, including heart rate, temperature, and blood glucose.
2. Decontamination: if ingestion was recent (within 30 to 60 minutes), the vet may induce vomiting with apomorphine or hydrogen peroxide (clinic use only). Activated charcoal may be given if no contraindications.
3. Supportive care: intravenous fluids for hydration and blood pressure. Antiemetics for vomiting. Thermal support for hypothermia or cooling for hyperthermia.
4. Monitoring: continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and temperature. Seizures are treated with benzodiazepines or other anticonvulsants. Tremors may need midazolam or propofol.
5. Severe cases: lipid emulsion therapy for cardiovascular collapse. Mechanical ventilation for respiratory depression. Urinary catheterization for retention.
6. Duration: signs can last 24 to 72 hours with edibles. Hospitalization is often needed until the dog can stand and eat.

What not to do

• Do not induce vomiting at home unless a vet instructs you.
• Do not give activated charcoal, milk, oil, or peanut butter.
• Do not give human anti-nausea drugs, painkillers, or stimulants.
• Do not wait to see if the dog sleeps it off.
• Do not ignore chocolate or xylitol co-ingestion. Those are separate emergencies.

Prognosis and recovery

Most dogs survive with prompt supportive care. Death is rare but possible with very high doses, underlying heart disease, or delayed treatment. After discharge, keep the dog quiet for 24 to 48 hours. Offer small amounts of water and bland food. Call the vet if lethargy, vomiting, or tremors return. Store all cannabis products in a locked container out of reach.

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