If your pet ate cannabis, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline now, then keep the animal calm, quiet, and warm while you wait for instructions. Note what was eaten, how much, and when. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Most pets survive THC exposure with supportive care, but edibles that also contain chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or macadamia nuts can be more dangerous than the cannabis itself.
Signs Your Pet Ate Cannabis
Signs usually start within 30 to 60 minutes of eating the plant material, and within 1 to 3 hours for edibles, because the digestive tract absorbs them slowly. Onset can be delayed, so a pet that looks fine right after eating a brownie may still get worse.
Common signs in dogs and cats:
- Wobbling, swaying, or a wide-stance walk
- Drowsiness, staring, or a slow response to their name
- Dribbling urine or losing house training
- Vomiting or drooling
- Dilated pupils or eyes darting side to side
- Head tremors or muscle twitching
- Low body temperature
- Agitation or startle responses, more often in cats
Severe cases involve slow heart rate, low blood pressure, seizures, or coma. These signs need immediate veterinary care.
Timeline of Effects
Smoked or vaporized exposure can show up within minutes and peak in an hour or two. Edibles, gummies, tinctures, and butter peak later, often 3 to 6 hours after eating, and pets can stay wobbly for 12 to 24 hours. Gummies and baked goods are prone to accidental overdose because pets eat a whole package and the dose is concentrated.
What to Do Step by Step
- Move your pet away from the source and pick up any remaining cannabis so they cannot eat more.
- Call your veterinarian or a 24-hour animal poison hotline and describe the product, the estimated amount, and the time it was eaten.
- Save the packaging and take a photo of the label, including the THC or CBD dose per piece.
- Keep your pet in a quiet, dim room with minimal handling to reduce agitation and the risk of falls.
- Keep your pet warm with a blanket and check that the gums stay pink.
- Watch for worsening signs and note the times so you can report them to the vet.
- Follow the veterinary plan, which may include induced vomiting, activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, and monitoring overnight.
- Take your pet to an emergency clinic if they cannot stand, are breathing slowly, have tremors, or are unresponsive.
What Not to Do
- Do not induce vomiting unless you are told to. It can cause aspiration pneumonia and is unsafe with some products.
- Do not give food, milk, oil, or coffee in an attempt to flush the drug out.
- Do not leave the pet alone to sleep it off. Signs can progress fast.
- Do not wait to see if it passes. Early treatment is cheaper and safer than a crash visit.
What to Tell the Veterinarian
Vets ask without judgment, and honesty about the product matters for treatment. Have these facts ready: the form of cannabis, the THC and CBD content per serving, the number of servings eaten, your pet's weight, any other drugs or foods involved, and any existing health conditions or medications. Pets with heart disease, seizures, or liver disease are at higher risk.
Preventing the Next One
Store edibles, vape cartridges, and flower in a locked cabinet or a hard container your pet cannot chew. Keep purses, backpacks, and coats off the floor. Clean ashtrays and roaches, and do not leave buttery baked goods on counters. If your pet has a habit of scavenging, treat the kitchen like you would any other medicine cabinet.