Marijuana edibles are becoming more common and legal in many places. This increased availability is enjoyed by pet parents, and sometimes by their dogs. Most of the time it’s by accident that a fur baby will find his pet parents’ stash and snarf it down.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
However, if your dog accidentally eats marijuana, he could suffer some major health issues. Some dogs may develop serious medical problems if they eat too much weed.
Signs & Symptoms Dog Has Ingested Marijuana
If your fur baby has eaten a “funny brownie” or other edible, then be sure to watch for these signs and symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lethargy (may be extreme)
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Incontinence
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors
- Loss of balance
- Increased vocalization
- Hyperactivity
- Coma
Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or you may notice your fur baby has all of a sudden become a bit of a clown! However, if your fur baby is having serious issues standing, seems wobbly and is just standing kind of standing there, you know there’s a problem.
Marijuana is known to be toxic for dogs, but if the dog ate an edible, it could also include other ingredients that are poisonous to dogs. These ingredients may include chocolate, Xylitol (sugar substitute), etc. These substances can cause death in dogs.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate an Edible
First, don’t panic. You’ll need to stay calm in order to take care of your precious pup. If he’s eaten the edible within the last 15 minutes, then it’s OK to induce vomiting. This will help get the marijuana out of your fur baby’s system quickly.
You can use one teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of dog. This should get your dog to vomit within about 15 minutes after taking the dose.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowGet Help Immediately
If your dog hasn’t been able to vomit, then call the vet immediately. Quick treatment may save your dog’s life.
If it’s been some time since your fur baby ate the edible, they may decide to treat your dog with IV fluids and activated charcoal. The charcoal binds to the toxins in a dog’s digestive tract, which keeps them from becoming absorbed.
Depending on the situation, your dog may need additional treatment and may even require hospitalization until he’s past the emergency.
Prevention is the best medicine. To keep your dog from eating edibles, make sure the marijuana treats are put up out of his reach and that he doesn’t have access to cabinets, containers, etc. Also be sure to pick up any leftover joints or edibles on the table or that fall on the floor. Keeping edibles out of reach will keep your dog safe.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
