My Dog Ate Weed, What Do I Do?

Dr. Julie Horton

Feb 28, 2022

Call & Speak with a doctor Open 24/7, Even Holidays!

Walk in today for:

Emergencies

Emergencies

Ultrasound

Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Urgentcare

Urgent Care

Xray

X-Rays

Diagnosticstesting

Diagnostics + Testing

Endoflife

End-of-Life Care

Surgery

Surgery

Hospital

Treatment + Hospitalization

If your weed isn’t stashed safely away, it’s possible that your curious pup may dig in. And while that may seem highly unlikely, a dog consuming cannabis is more common than you think. This can be a health risk, so, if you find your dog has taken the ‘high’-road, it’s important to know the steps you need to take right away.

3 THINGS TO DO IF YOUR DOG ATE MARIJUANA

First of all, don’t panic. Here are top 3 things to do if your dog got into your weed stash:

1. PIN DOWN THE POT PARTS

First, if your dog ate your pot, your vet will probably want to know what part of marijuana plant was consumed, and in what form. Some of the different kinds include:

Marijuana leaves

THC is the component in marijuana that makes it harmful for dogs. Pot leaves contain high levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; more commonly known as THC, which causes psychoactive effects among other symptoms. So chewing on them is very dangerous for your pup. Keep in mind that THC is not the same thing as CBD. Dogs can consume a vet-approved quantity of CBD without any risk.

Marijuana buds aka cannabis flowers

Eating a straight bud of weed may be even more troublesome for your dog than the leaves of the marijuana plant. The bud contains the highest concentration of cannabinoids, including THC.

Edibles

If your dog consumed an edible such as a pot brownie or a gummy, it’s really important to look over the list of ingredients to figure out the potential hazards in it. A pot brownie, for instance, contains a lot of chocolate, which is even more dangerous for your dog than THC. If your dog eats any, take your pet to the emergency vet right away. Gummies/candy edibles may also contain harmful ingredients, including Xylitol, which could be potentially fatal to dogs.

2. SNIFF OUT SYMPTOMS

Another thing you should do if your dog ate weed is to keep an eye out for any symptoms of weed toxicity—a very serious condition.

Here are some things to watch out for if you’re nervous your dog has marijuana poisoning:

  • Loss of coordination
  • Inability to control urine
  • Vomiting
  • Dilated pupils
  • Low or high body temperature (normal range: 101 – 102.5ºF)
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Depression or hyperesthesia, and in severe cases seizures

If you notice any of these, bring your dog over to your vet ASAP. If you notice that symptoms have worsened (i.e., increased vomiting, irregular heart rate), it’s time to go to an emergency vet like VEG.

3. FETCH THE VET

Don’t hesitate. There’s no shame in taking your pup to the vet after they’ve dabbled in the green scene. A good veterinarian’s top priority is your dog’s health. And like we said, dogs eating weed is more common than you know.

At VEG, we’re judgment free; we just want to help your dog through this health issue. If your pup is showing moderate to severe symptoms of weed toxicity, we’ll monitor the condition, administer IV fluids, if needed and provide the right guidance for recovery.

In short, if your dog got into your pot, it’s vital that you visit your vet or an emergency vet hospital like Veterinary Emergency Group ASAP.

PREVENT FUTURE MISHAPS

A word of caution: Giving your dog weed intentionally is no joke and can be extremely dangerous for them. Be a responsible pet parent and create the safest environment possible. Always store all forms of marijuana in a place where your curious li’l doggy cannot access.

VEG TO THE RESCUE

At VEG, we’re on standby for your pup’s emergencies. With most locations open 24/7, our vets are ready to provide instant care. If your pooch has a pot adventure, hit us up—we’re here to lend a paw!