Cannabis and pets don't mix. THC, the compound that makes people feel high, is toxic to dogs and cats, and Pet Poison Helpline says there is no safe dose of psychoactive cannabis for companion animals. Most cases start with an edible, a dropped bud or a joint end that a curious pet finds first. If you think your pet got into cannabis, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline now. Then read on for the warning signs, what to expect and how to keep it from happening again.
Short answer: THC isn't safe for dogs or cats
THC acts on cannabinoid receptors, and dogs have a high concentration of them in the cerebellum and the brainstem. Those areas help control balance, heart rate and breathing. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, that receptor pattern may explain the stumbling and other effects vets see in dogs.
The good news: deaths from THC alone are extremely rare, and most pets recover with veterinary care. In a 2022 survey of North American veterinarians, most pets with cannabis poisoning recovered completely. The hours in between can still be frightening and risky, especially for small pets and for pets that ate edibles with other toxic ingredients.
Cases have also become more common. In that same survey, veterinarians in both the United States and Canada reported significantly more cannabis poisonings after October 2018, when Canada legalized adult use.
How pets get into cannabis
Most exposures happen at home, when a pet finds cannabis left within reach. In the veterinarian survey, edibles were the most commonly suspected source, and eating something while left unattended was the most cited reason. Common routes include:
- Edibles left out. Gummies, chocolates and baked goods smell like food, because they are food.
- The trash. Wrappers, crumbs and joint ends in an open bin are easy pickings for a nosy dog.
- Dropped flower or pre-rolls. A bud that rolls under the couch can end up in a pet's mouth.
- Bags and coat pockets. A guest's backpack on the floor is an open invitation.
- Smoke. Breathing in cannabis smoke can poison pets too, and inhaled THC can cause signs within minutes.
Products to lock away
Every format carries THC, and some carry a lot of it:
- Edibles and drinks, including homemade butter and oil
- Flower and pre-rolls, plus the ends of used joints
- Vape cartridges and disposables, which hold concentrated oil and a battery
- Wax, shatter, rosin and other concentrates, which pack a large dose into a tiny amount
- Tinctures and topicals, since a pet may lick a dropper, a spill or a freshly applied balm
Edibles: concentrated THC plus other toxic ingredients
Edibles are a particular worry because a few bites can hold a lot of THC, and because the food itself can be toxic to pets. The ASPCA flags several ingredients you might find in an edible:
- Chocolate contains methylxanthines. The darker the chocolate, the bigger the risk, and baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most concentrated.
- Xylitol, a sugar substitute, can cause dangerously low blood sugar and, depending on the amount, liver damage.
- Raisins and grapes can lead to kidney damage in dogs.
Pet Poison Helpline adds that when cannabis foods also contain chocolate, the risk of poisoning climbs. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that the two published cases of dogs dying after eating cannabis both involved baked goods made with concentrated cannabis butter.
Leave edibles in the child-resistant package they came in, and never leave a half-eaten brownie or an open bag of gummies on a table. Our guide to edibles explains why they're so much stronger, bite for bite, than they look.
Grab the label before you call
The package answers most of the questions a vet or hotline will ask. Look for the total THC in the package and in each piece, then scan the ingredient list for chocolate, xylitol or raisins. If the package is gone, describe the product and estimate how many pieces are missing.
Warning signs of THC toxicity in dogs and cats
Signs usually start within 1 to 2 hours after a pet eats cannabis, and up to 4 hours in a dog with an empty stomach. After smoke exposure, they can appear within minutes. Watch for:
- Wobbling, stumbling or trouble standing, which vets call ataxia
- Dribbling urine
- Unusual sleepiness or dullness
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Jumping or flinching at sounds, movement or touch
- Trembling or twitching
- A slow heart rate
- Agitation or disorientation
- In rare, severe cases, collapse, seizures or trouble breathing
Urine drug tests often miss THC in pets, which is one more reason to tell your vet exactly what happened. With supportive care, signs usually fade within 1 to 3 days.
What to do right away
My dog ate weed: the first steps
- Move your pet away from any remaining cannabis, and keep the package or leftovers.
- Call for help now: your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or one of the poison hotlines listed above.
- Share the details: what your pet ate, roughly how much and when, the THC amount on the label, and any other ingredients such as chocolate, xylitol or raisins.
- Don't make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Whether that's safe depends on timing and your pet's condition, so leave the call to a professional.
- Keep your pet calm and safe in a quiet room, away from stairs, water and other animals, while you get help.
- Head to the clinic if advised, and bring the packaging with you.
Be honest with your vet
Tell your veterinary team exactly what your pet got into. Pet Poison Helpline says it doesn't report pet owners to the police; its veterinary staff focus on the pet's wellbeing and ask only that owners be truthful about the exposure. Accurate details help your vet choose the right care sooner.
What happens at the clinic
Your vet decides whether to make your pet vomit. The Merck Veterinary Manual says that's considered only within about an hour of eating, and only in a pet that's otherwise stable. Your vet may also give activated charcoal and will keep an eye on heart rate, breathing and body temperature.
Care is mostly supportive: keeping your pet safe and comfortable while the THC wears off. Most poisoned pets recover, and many are cared for as outpatients rather than staying overnight.
Safe storage: keeping cannabis and pets apart at home
Prevention is simple, and it works best as a habit:
- Use a lockbox or a locking cabinet. A high shelf isn't enough for a cat that jumps or a dog that climbs onto counters.
- Keep products in their original packaging, sealed after every use.
- Seal the trash. Use a lidded, latching can, and take out anything with cannabis in it promptly.
- Clean up right away. Check the floor and couch for dropped flower, crumbs and joint ends.
- Keep smoke and vapor away from pets. Use cannabis outdoors or in a well-ventilated room your pets can leave, and never blow smoke toward an animal.
- Watch the guests. Ask visitors to keep bags and coats off the floor and out of reach.
- Mind the car and purse. Edibles in a cup holder or an open bag are easy targets. On trips with your dog, keep cannabis in a closed, locked container well out of reach.
Our guide to storing cannabis covers airtight containers and lockable storage in more detail. If you have kids at home too, the same habits protect them; our guide for parents has more ideas.
Dogs vs. cats: different risks
Both species can be poisoned, but the patterns differ.
- Dogs turn up far more often. In the 2022 veterinarian survey, cannabis poisoning was seen most in dogs, followed by cats. Dogs scavenge, gulp whole edibles and raid trash cans, so they tend to eat larger amounts at once.
- Cats are pickier eaters, but they're small, so a little THC goes a long way. They may chew plant material, lick spills or topicals, or spend time in rooms where people smoke. Cats also tend to hide when they feel unwell, so check closets and under beds if something seems off.
Whatever the species, the response is the same: call your vet or a hotline right away.
Pet CBD products: what's unproven
You'll see CBD chews and oils marketed for pets. The FDA has not approved cannabis for any use in animals. It says it can't ensure the safety or effectiveness of these products, and it cautions pet owners against using them. The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that the FDA hasn't approved any THC, CBD-with-THC or full-spectrum product for veterinary patients.
That doesn't mean every product causes harm. It does mean the claims on the label haven't been reviewed the way an approved veterinary drug's would be. A few guidelines:
- Never give a pet any cannabis product made for people.
- Talk with your veterinarian before trying any pet CBD product, and mention any medications your pet takes.
- If your pet shows lethargy, heavy drooling, vomiting, agitation, tremors or convulsions after any cannabis product, call your vet. Those are the signs the FDA lists for possible adverse effects.
Curious about CBD research in people? Our CBD evidence guide covers what studies have and haven't shown.
Have other questions about our stores or Michigan's cannabis rules? Our FAQ has quick answers. 21+ only. Please consume responsibly, and store cannabis where pets and children can't reach it.
