Signs Your Pet Ate Cannabis: Symptoms and What to Do

Short Answer

The first signs of cannabis poisoning in pets are lethargy, unsteady walking, dilated pupils, and urine leaking without control. A dog or cat that ate cannabis often stares at nothing, flinches at sound, or drops its head and refuses to stand. Signs usually start 30 to 60 minutes after a pet eats flower or a baked edible, and up to 2 hours or more for dense edibles such as brownies or gummies.

Cannabis and Dogs Lethal Dose: What Vets Actually Know

Signs to Watch For

• Sleepiness or a dazed look that does not improve when you call the pet
• Wobbling, swaying, or a wide stance
• Dilated pupils that do not shrink in bright light
• Dribbling urine while lying down
• Twitching, head tremors, or a strong startle response to noise
• Vomiting, drooling, or lip smacking
• Low body temperature and cold paws
• Slow heart rate or an uneven pulse
• Agitation, pacing, or barking at nothing
• In severe cases, slow breathing and unresponsiveness

Signs That Need a Vet Now

• Trouble breathing or long pauses between breaths
• Body tremors that will not stop
• Collapse or a pet that cannot be woken
• Seizure activity
• Vomiting that includes chocolate, raisins, xylitol, or macadamia nuts
• Any sign in a cat, a puppy, or a senior pet

What to Do

1. Move your pet to a quiet, dim room with no stairs to fall down.
2. Note the time you first saw signs and the time you think your pet ate the product.
3. Check the package for THC, CBD, chocolate, xylitol, or raisins, and keep the label.
4. Call your vet or a pet poison hotline before you try anything at home.
5. Keep your pet warm with a blanket if its paws feel cold.
6. Offer small sips of water only if your pet is awake and swallowing.
7. Write down the time of each new sign so the vet can track the changes.
8. Drive your pet to the clinic if the vet asks you to come in.

What Not to Do

• Do not force vomiting unless a vet tells you to. Aspiration of vomit into the lungs is a real risk in a sedated pet.
• Do not give human medications, coffee, or stimulants to counter the effects.
• Do not feed a large meal to soak up the drug.
• Do not leave the pet alone on a couch, bed, or staircase.

Why Edibles Are Worse

Edibles carry a higher dose than flower and often include chocolate, raisins, or xylitol. Each of those adds a second poison with its own treatment path. Gummies and baked goods also pass through the stomach at different speeds, so a pet can look fine for an hour and then decline.

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How Long It Lasts

Most pets recover in 12 to 24 hours with supportive care. Pets that ate a large edible dose, or that have liver disease, can show signs for 3 days. The climb back to normal is gradual, and wobbling can linger after the pet is awake and alert again.

cannabis poisoning in pets symptoms

Before You Call the Vet

• The product label or a photo of it
• Your pet's weight
• The time of ingestion, if you know it
• The time the first sign appeared
• A list of current medications

Keeping It Out of Reach

Store cannabis in a locked cabinet, not on a counter or nightstand. Keep it in the original child-resistant package so the label stays with the product. Clean up roaches, resin, and infused butter the same day. A dog that finds a dropped gummy will eat it before you notice.