It can be scary if your dog accidentally ingests marijuana or another substance and gets high. Some of the most common ways dogs accidentally get high include eating marijuana edibles, getting into marijuana plants, or ingesting their owner’s marijuana stash. While an intoxicated dog may seem funny at first, it’s important to monitor them closely and get veterinary treatment if necessary, as marijuana toxicity can be dangerous for dogs. Here are some quick tips on what to do if your dog gets high, with more details provided throughout this article.
Quick tips if your dog gets high:
– Remain calm and keep your dog in a safe, comfortable space.
– Don’t give your dog any more substances or medications without consulting your vet.
– Monitor them closely for signs of marijuana toxicity like drowsiness, dilated pupils, abnormal heart rate.
– Call your vet or pet poison control hotline for advice.
– Be prepared to take your dog to the vet clinic if their symptoms seem serious.
– Make sure your dog stays hydrated and comfortable until the effects wear off.
Signs your dog is high
Some signs that indicate your dog may have ingested marijuana or another intoxicating substance include:
– Lethargy, drowsiness, lack of coordination
– Dilated pupils
– Low blood pressure
– Drooling
– Urinary incontinence
– Rapid heart rate
– Vomiting
– Agitation, restlessness
– Tremors, seizures (rare)
Of course, many of these symptoms could potentially indicate a more serious medical issue rather than intoxication. So it’s important to take your dog to the vet if you observe any concerning or prolonged symptoms after possible ingestion.
What to do if you think your dog is high
Here are some steps to take if you suspect your dog has accidentally ingested marijuana or another substance:
1. Stay calm
Your dog is likely already anxious and confused if they are intoxicated. So try to stay calm yourself, and don’t punish or yell at your dog. This may add to their stress.
2. Keep them comfortable
Create a calm environment by keeping noise and other stressors away. You may confine them to one room that is pet-proofed so they don’t injure themselves if disoriented. Make sure they have easy access to fresh water.
3. Don’t induce vomiting
While this may be your first instinct, inducing vomiting can actually be dangerous if your pet has ingested marijuana.
4. Monitor vital signs
Keep a close eye on your dog’s breathing, heart rate, and other indicators of their condition. Look for signs of respiratory depression like low breath rate.
5. Avoid giving any medications
Do not give your pet any medications or drugs without first consulting with your vet or poison control. Even normal medicines could interact dangerously with the intoxicating substance.
6. Contact your vet or poison control hotline
Call your regular veterinarian for guidance if possible. If not available, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). They can provide specific treatment advice for marijuana or medication ingestion.
7. Go to the vet if symptoms concern you
Seek in-person veterinary treatment if your dog seems very lethargic, is vomiting repeatedly, having seizures, or their condition seems to worsen. The vet clinic can provide supportive care and monitor your dog’s vital signs until the effects wear off.
How long do the effects of marijuana last in dogs?
The effects of marijuana intoxication typically last around 1-3 days in dogs. Though in rare cases with very high ingestion, symptoms have been reported to last for several weeks.
Factors that influence marijuana’s duration of action and time to clearance from a dog’s system include:
– The amount ingested – Higher quantities lead to more prolonged effects.
– The concentration of THC – Higher potency products have longer-lasting effects.
– Whether the product was smoked or an edible – Edibles can have erratic absorption.
– The individual dog’s metabolism – Slower metabolisms increase marijuana’s half-life.
So the effects can range anywhere from 8 hours to a few days. Usually by 24 hours, most dogs will have recovered fully with veterinary monitoring and supportive care. Any lingering effects after 3 days warrant further medical investigation to rule out other conditions.
Can marijuana kill my dog?
Marijuana intoxication is rarely fatal by itself. But in very high doses, marijuana poisoning can potentially be lethal. Estimates indicate lethal oral doses start around 1g/kg of marijuana product in dogs.
Some of the most serious risks of marijuana ingestion for dogs that could potentially lead to death include:
– Respiratory depression – Slowed breathing rate and oxygen levels.
– Tachycardia – Extremely elevated heart rate, putting strain on the cardiovascular system.
– Seizures – particularly at high doses, marijuana may induce uncontrolled seizures.
– Coma – with a massive overdose.
So while most cases of dogs ingesting marijuana have a good outcome, you should still monitor them closely and get prompt veterinary treatment if you suspect a very high dose was consumed. Better to be safe!
How is marijuana toxicity treated in dogs?
Veterinarians use a support-based approach to treat dogs with marijuana intoxication, as there are no specific antidotes for THC reversal.
Treatment may include:
– Stabilizing oxygen levels and managing respiratory depression with oxygen therapy.
– Supporting heart rate with medications if tachycardia develops.
– Controlling body temperature and preventing overheating.
– Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain blood pressure.
– Anti-nausea medications like maropitant if vomiting continues.
– Hospitalization for close monitoring of vital signs.
Most dogs recover fully within 24 hours of supportive veterinary treatment. Though in rare cases with extremely high ingestion, hospitalization and treatment may be prolonged.
How to prevent dogs from getting into marijuana
The best way to keep your dog safe is to prevent access to any marijuana or unknown substances in the first place. Some tips include:
– Keep marijuana products locked away securely, even at home. Edibles may look tempting to pets.
– Never blow smoke in your pet’s direction, as THC residue can coat their fur and be ingested with grooming.
– When travelling or visiting with your pet, ask hosts to secure any marijuana plants, edibles, and other risky products.
– Teach children in your home to keep marijuana products away from pets.
– Fence marijuana plants fully or grow indoors to avoid pets accessing outdoor plants. Discard any stray leaves or buds.
– Pick up any marijuana buds or residue that fall while smoking, so pets don’t eat them.
– Have your pet wear a leash when outside in areas where stray marijuana remnants may be found.
While accidents happen, being cautious and limiting access can greatly reduce the risks of pet marijuana ingestion. If your dog does happen to eat a marijuana edible or product, follow the steps above and contact your vet right away. With prompt care, your dog will likely make a full recovery.
What to do if your dog eats an edible
If you think your pet has ingested a marijuana edible, take these steps:
– Identify what and how much they ate, if possible. Check labels for THC content.
– Call your vet or poison control immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.
– Monitor your dog closely. Look for symptoms like lethargy, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat.
– Provide a calm environment. Confine them if needed to prevent injury.
– Avoid giving any medications without vet approval.
– Note the time the edible was consumed so you can track how long symptoms last.
– Go to the vet clinic if you observe concerning symptoms like vomiting, seizures, weakness, or severely elevated heart rate.
– Be prepared to provide supportive care like IV fluids and anti-nausea meds as recommended by the vet.
– Expect effects to last 8 – 24 hours, though may be longer depending on dosage and your dog’s metabolism.
With marijuana edibles, the major danger is that the unpredictable dosing and delayed onset of effects can lead to gradually worsening toxicity. So vigilant monitoring by you and your vet is important in the hours following ingestion. Call for help right away rather than waiting to see if your pet becomes symptomatic.
What if my dog eats part of a marijuana plant?
Dogs who nibble on or ingest parts of a live marijuana plant can certainly become intoxicated. The level of danger depends on how much they ate and the THC content of that particular plant and variety.
If your dog eats leaves or buds from a marijuana plant:
– Remove any remaining plant parts from their mouth if possible. Don’t put fingers at risk of being bitten.
– Note which specific plant they ate from if you grow different strains.
– Estimate how many leaves or how much of the plant was consumed.
– Call your vet or poison control hotline to assess if symptoms are likely based on breed, amount ingested, and assumed plant potency. Small ingestions may produce no effects.
– Watch for effects like lethargy, dilated pupils, drooling.
– Provide supportive care and go to the clinic if you observe any concerning symptoms.
– Take steps to prevent access to marijuana plants in the future by fencing, enclosing indoors, or removing stray leaves.
While quite scary, most cases of dogs nibbling on marijuana buds or leaves do not progress to dangerous toxicity, assuming only a small amount was consumed. But do contact your vet right away to be safe when plant ingestion occurs.
What if my dog eats my marijuana stash?
Having your pet get into your marijuana stash is a pet owner’s nightmare. But try not to panic, and take these steps if your dog consumes marijuana buds, resin, concentrates or other products:
– Identify exactly what they ingested and estimate the amount if possible.
– Contact your vet or poison control hotline immediately for advice.
– Safely confine your dog to avoid injury if intoxicated.
– Watch closely for symptoms like lethargy, dilated pupils, disorientation.
– Note time of ingestion. More potent forms like dabs, resins, oils take effect fastest. Edibles cause gradual onset.
– Be prepared to go to the vet clinic if symptoms seem serious like extreme lethargy, vomiting, weakness.
– Expect effects to last around 8-24 hours though may persist longer.
– Make sure your dog is properly hydrated. Offer water frequently.
– Secure marijuana products going forward in locked containers kept well out of a pet’s reach.
The greatest risks come from ingestion of highly concentrated products like oils and resins. But even small ingestions warrant close observation. With prompt vet care and by providing comfort during the intoxication, your dog has excellent chances of making a full recovery. Just take preventative steps to avoid any repeats of the unfortunate incident.
Conclusion
While it’s quite distressing to see your beloved dog become intoxicated from accidentally ingesting marijuana, try to stay calm. In most cases, dogs fully recover within 24 hours with standard supportive veterinary care. Carefully monitor all symptoms, provide a safe environment, and don’t hesitate to visit the vet clinic if your pet seems seriously ill. Be sure to “dog-proof” marijuana products to avoid any repeats of the unfortunate incident. With prompt response, your pup will likely be back to their normal happy selves once the effects wear off.