The Dangers of Marijuana to your Pets

This article discusses the dangers of marijuana intended for human use that typically contains THC which is very dangerous to pets. CBD has shown to be helpful in some pets to ease joint pain and anxiety, and pet treats with small amounts of cannabis are becoming more widely available. If you decide to treat your pet with cannabis, it’s wise to check with your vet first and be sure to only use products created and intended for pets.

With their heightened sense of smell and penchant for naughtiness, pet owners can agree that it’s not easy keeping pets away from food and consumables meant for humans. And sadly, recent studies have shown that pets are suffering from poisoning more frequently than ever before. The legalization of marijuana in Canada may have contributed to this and vets are more frequently seeing pets that have ingested edibles, discarded butts or dried plant material. Vets have reported that not just dogs have fallen victim to the effects of marijuana, they’ve also seen poisoning in cats, ferrets, horses, birds, and iguanas.

Other toxins like chocolate, cocoa powder, grapes, and xylitol may be better-known to pet parents, but marijuana comes with its own set of dangers.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something that has marijuana in it, make sure to tell your vet. It’s always easier to provide treatment when the toxin is identified. And of course, help avoid the situation in the first place by ensuring that all cannabis items are stored in a safe place away from your pets.

Be aware that if your pet consumes an edible made with chocolate or fruit, there may be a double-toxic reaction. Some edibles use xylitol as a sweetener and it can be especially harmful.

Your pets don’t have the awareness you do after ingesting marijuana.  Humans may enjoy the “high” but your pet doesn’t know what’s happening and that can cause severe stress. Watch for these symptoms if you suspect your pet has ingested marijuana.

• Difficulty walking
• Staggering
• Twitching
• Rocking back and forth on the spot
• Drooling
• Wide open eyes
• Tense muscles

Note that pets process cannabis at a slower rate and can feel the effects for as long as 24 hours depending on how much was consumed. Some severe side effects could also include lethargy, dilated pupils, vomiting, low (or high) heart rate, whining, incontinence, seizures and coma.