Cannabis is toxic to dogs and cats. If your pet ate cannabis, call a veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Most pets survive with supportive care, but THC can cause dangerous drops in heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. Edibles add a second threat from chocolate, raisins, or xylitol.
Symptoms of Cannabis Ingestion in Pets: What to Watch For
What to do first
- Move your pet away from any leftover cannabis and seal the product, wrapper, or package in a bag.
- Call your veterinarian, the nearest emergency animal hospital, or a pet poison hotline before doing anything else.
- Tell the vet the product type, the THC or CBD strength on the label, and how much you think was eaten.
- Read the label aloud, including milligrams per piece and the total number of pieces in the package.
- State your pet's weight, age, and any medications or health conditions.
- Follow the vet's instructions on inducing vomiting. Do not induce vomiting on your own.
- Keep your pet warm, quiet, and off stairs, beds, and furniture.
- Bring the packaging to the clinic if the vet asks you to come in.
Signs of cannabis poisoning in pets
Signs usually start 30 to 60 minutes after eating cannabis, and sooner if the pet inhaled smoke. Watch for:
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- Wobbling, stumbling, or a drunk-looking walk
- Dribbling urine or loss of bladder control
- Dilated pupils that react slowly to light
- Vomiting and drooling
- Head tremors or muscle twitching
- Slow heart rate and low body temperature
- Extreme sleepiness, unresponsiveness, or a startle response to noise
- Agitation, panting, or seizures in severe cases
Cats are often more sensitive than dogs and can hide early signs. A pet that seems only sleepy can worsen within hours.
First Aid for Pet Cannabis Ingestion: What to Do First
Why edibles are more dangerous
Edibles deliver a much larger THC dose than flower, and the dose per piece is often wrong. Chocolate adds theobromine toxicity. Sugar-free baked goods may contain xylitol, which causes low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Absorption is slower with food, so signs can appear late and last 12 to 72 hours. Tell the vet exactly what was in the edible, not just the THC content.
What not to do
- Do not wait to see how your pet feels.
- Do not give food, water, milk, oil, or activated charcoal unless the vet says so.
- Do not give human pain relievers, sedatives, or antihistamines.
- Do not use home remedies or try to sleep it off.
- Do not assume it is harmless because cannabis is legal where you live.
If your pet ate a CBD product
Treat it as a cannabis exposure. Full-spectrum CBD oils and pet tinctures can carry THC, and labels do not always match the contents. Check the certificate of analysis for the THC level if you have it, then call the vet. CBD is not an antidote for THC and does not cancel the effects. A product marketed for pets is not proof of a safe dose.
What treatment looks like
There is no reversal drug for THC in pets. Vets give fluids under the skin or into a vein, control vomiting, warm the body, and monitor heart rate and temperature. Severely affected pets may need oxygen, fat-based intravenous therapy, or seizure medication. Most pets go home within 24 to 48 hours once signs fade.
Prevention at home
Store cannabis, edibles, vapes, and CBD oils in a locked cabinet above counter height. Keep them out of purses, coat pockets, and low drawers. Clean up roaches, ash, and resin. Visitors are a common source of exposure, so tell guests where to put their products. If you make your own edibles, label the container clearly and never use food jars or butter dishes.