Dogs are naturally curious creatures, often exploring and sometimes snacking on things they shouldn’t. They may ingest harmful items like caffeine, chocolate, onions, garlic, avocados, sugary foods, and even weed or marijuana that are harmful to them.
1. Immediate Action Required
If your dog ever goes through such a difficult situation. The first step as a pet owner is to contact your vet immediately. Grab the veterinary attention without hesitation, even if it is embarrassing. The veterinary team won’t judge you for being honest.
The veterinarian just wants to help your dogs recover from this situation with supportive care. They also know it is important to save the life of your four-leg friend. So, be cautious with dogs, as they’re our best friends.
2. Onset And Duration Of Symptoms
If your dog ate any form of weed or marijuana, you’ll find out somehow. So, this is a critical situation for both the owner and the pet. You will start to see such symptoms in 30-90 minutes to an hour after weed or marijuana ingestion.
3. Understanding THC
In humans, consuming weed in its raw form has little to no physical or psychoactive effects. But why is it toxic to dogs? If humans eat raw cannabis flowers, it does not affect them much. However, for pets, the effects are more pronounced.
Why is weed bad for your dog? This is because of the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol, found in marijuana and weed, also known as THC, which is very harmful, toxic, and life-threatening to your four-legged friend. When you smoke or eat marijuana, THC is the active ingredient that gets you high. Consequently, just as you avoid giving marijuana or weed to your kids, you should avoid it for pets as well.
Your dog will sober up without getting any treatment. Small dogs may take up to 48 hours to fully sober up. Initially, the effects are mild, but they can worsen over time.
4. Steps To Take If You Suspect Your Dog Consumed Weed
If a dog is doing suspicious behaviour, then we can know whether he has consumed weed or not by the following symptoms:
4.1. Determine The Type Of Cannabis Consumed By The Dogs
- Raw cannabis leaves: If your dog ingests raw cannabis leaves, there is no need to worry as the THC has not been activated, and they are not harmful.
- Burned cannabis: In burned cannabis, there could be some activated THC present; hence, this is not suitable for your dog.
- Edible marijuana products: These are very dangerous because it is high in THC. If your dog is acting strange after consuming chocolate and artificial sweeteners, immediately contact your veterinarian.
4.2. Evaluate Symptoms
Light toxicity will present symptoms after your dog eats weed, such as inactivity, difficulty in walking or loss of coordination, increased or decreased body temperature, and excessive salivation. In extreme cases, your dog may significantly lose bladder control, experience slow heart rate, or have seizures.
4.3. Induce Vomiting
After you recognize that your dog ate weed or marijuana, give your dog hydrogen peroxide to make it vomit only if a vet advises it.
4.4. Seek Professional Help
If you confirm after watching your pet closely that your dog ate weed and if the symptoms get worse, visiting the vet is the only way to save your dog’s life. Be honest with the vet, and give them as much information as possible.
5. Serious Side Effects After Weed Or Marijuana Ingestion In Dogs
Your dog can suffer poisoning from eating any part of the actual plant because of the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) substance in marijuana. Furthermore, dogs have a much more severe reaction to this than humans. In fact, even a small amount of cannabis is all it takes to cause toxicity in dogs.
So, here are some of the poisonous side effects on dogs from consuming marijuana and weed:
5.1. Low Heart Rate
It can feel scary to the dog and may cause anxiety as well. Thus, it is important to recognize this as a potential sign of distress and seek immediate vet care.
5.2. Dilated Pupils
Eyes with dilated pupils that are unable to focus and are blinking more than usual. This symptom indicates neurological effects and thus requires urgent veterinary attention.
5.3. Low Or High Body Temperature
Body temperature may increase or decrease dramatically without warning, so you should check your pet’s rectal temperature.
5.4. Loss Of Coordination
Your dog may lose their ability to stand or may start stumbling, falling, or swaying. Therefore, ensure your dog receives appropriate treatment.
5.5. Vomiting
Too much vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. If left untreated for too long, it can be fatal, so keep your dog hydrated.
5.6. Dribbling Urine
If your dog eats weed, it will affect their nervous system, and they may lose bladder control and urinate on themselves due to marijuana toxicity.
5.7. Sleepiness
Weed is toxic and can make your dog excessively drowsy. If they’re unresponsive, seek vet assistance immediately.
5.8. Restlessness
Sometimes, after consuming weed and marijuana, dogs become super active, leading to hyperactivity and increased jumpiness.
6. Addressing Extreme Cases
If you are not able to know that your dog has consumed weed on time, then it will be very dangerous for the dog. In those extreme cases, the dog will show some of these symptoms:
6.1. Tremors
Shaking or muscle tremors, this condition can cause serious discomfort in dogs, so it is essential to take immediate veterinary care to address any potential risks.
6.2. Seizures
If your dog has a seizure after accidental ingestion of marijuana, then take it to the emergency vet immediately, as it may need treatment to recover fully. Rarely, dogs, if they eat weed, may suffer from seizures.
6.3. Comatose State
If the reaction is very bad, your dog could go into a coma.
Dogs experience these distressing side effects more strongly than humans. Other possible side effects include vomiting, respiratory depression, tremors, and shaking, and some dogs can become comatose. It’s important to note that in some cases, it could even take months for the symptoms of poisoning to appear. But, typically, it will take several days.
7. Taking Care Of Your Pet
Use this incident as a wake-up call and take care of your pet. If your pet eats behind your back and consumes weeds, visit the veterinarian immediately and discuss the observed clinical signs. You should always seek veterinary advice.
Traditional medications may be given to decrease anxiety and restlessness. Temporarily, keep your dog in a calm, quiet area of your house to help prevent sensory overstimulation. It’s important to keep in mind whether your dog’s symptoms are caused by eating weed or not; however, it’s best to get up and take your dog to the vet as quickly as possible.
8. Prevention
Most dogs recover from marijuana or weed toxicity, although the symptoms and treatment can be scary.
If a dog lives in your house, don’t ever leave the weed or marijuana stuff on the coffee table and the ground, or it will become the snack of your four-legged friend. Instead, it is better to keep your stuff out of reach.
9. Take Responsibility
The most important move and best way to ensure your pet stays safe is to make sure that everyone in your home knows that you always keep any drugs out of reach of children and pets.
Additionally, assign a trustworthy caretaker to keep an eye on your dog, especially when you are at work or if you have to work for long hours. In the event of an emergency, when you are not at home, tell all your household members where to find your vet’s phone number.
Eating weed by your dog gets your dog high. So, don’t leave it around for them, and don’t blow smoke in their face with recreational marijuana. The effects should be more profound because pets weigh less than humans do.
Most dogs have little control over chewing on things. However, as pet owners, we understand that self-control is usually not one of their strengths. In such situations, it’s best to talk to a vet sooner rather than later. This proactive approach can make a significant difference in your dog’s well-being.
You should do your best to keep your stuff well away from your dog’s reach. If you notice THC toxicity in your dogs, which is mentioned above, call your vet immediately and have supportive care.
10. In A Nutshell
If a dog ingests weed, immediate action is crucial. As responsible pet owners, we should contact a vet without hesitation, prioritizing our furry companions’ well-being. Understanding symptoms like sleepiness, lack of coordination, and urinary accidents allow timely intervention.
THC, a harmful component in marijuana, makes it toxic to dogs. Prevent access to cannabis in any form, whether raw leaves, burned cannabis, or edibles with high THC content. Ensure a safe environment and keep drugs out of reach. Have a trusted caretaker’s contact info for emergencies.
In mild cases, provide the dog with a calm, dark space and seek vet advice. Being responsible pet owners means preventing access to marijuana and acting promptly in case of ingestion to protect our four-legged friends from severe effects.
Last Updated on by Asoni18