While you may no longer need to keep your stash hidden from the police as the legalization of cannabis spreads, it's crucial you keep weed away from your pets, especially dogs.
Most dogs are curious — they explore their world with their mouths. A case in point is Bella, an adult Labrador Retriever. Her owner, Marilyn Sanders, who lives in New Jersey (where medical marijuana is legal), left half of a joint on her coffee table.
“I had no idea she'd eat it,” Sanders told Marijuana.com. “She's a large dog. Within a few minutes, her gait got sloppy. I watched her to make sure she'd be okay. Fortunately, it was such a tiny amount for a large dog, she was fine in a couple of hours.”
Unfortunately, other dogs aren't as lucky as Bella. While most cases are mild, some dogs can have severe reactions, especially with more potent cannabis products available today.
Two veterinary hospitals in Colorado saw a fourfold increase in marijuana toxicosis from 2005 to 2010 in a retrospective study published in 2012 in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.
A 2012 study from Colorado reported two cases of dogs dying after consuming medical-grade THC butter in baked goods. In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has seen a significant increase in the number of calls about pets and marijuana.
“Dogs are certainly the most likely pets to get into marijuana, but we've also received calls about cats, birds, ferrets, and rabbits,” said Grace Munns, coordinator of media and communications for the ASPCA.
Munns, who gathered information from ASPCA veterinarians, reported the APCC handled nearly 52 percent more cases involving cannabis in 2017 compared with 2016, increasing from 979 cases in 2016 to 1,486 in 2017.
In 2022, the APCC answered nearly 11 percent more calls related to potential marijuana ingestion than in 2021. However, in 2024, the APCC reported that THC-related exposures are dropping. This is likely due to increased awareness of the risks of leaving cannabis out around pets.
“Veterinarians across the country have indicated an increase in the number of cases they are seeing,” Munns said.
The APCC veterinarians said these numbers are relatively small compared to calls for dogs ingesting ibuprofen or chocolate, which are toxic to canines. Many dogs even prefer consuming chocolate-based edibles, which puts them at a higher risk than animals that eat plant material.
“We've found around 10 percent of marijuana toxicity claims are paired with chocolate toxicity,” said Michael Nank, a spokesperson for Trupanion, a medical insurance company for dogs and cats. “On their own, substances such as chocolate, butter, and oil can be harmful to pets. When combined with marijuana, the results are worse.”
“THC is toxic for pets,” Nank told Marijuana.com. “It can cause balance problems, irregular heartbeat, incontinence, or worse. Even inhalation through second-hand smoke can be dangerous.”
While insurance claims have risen, Nank noted, “We see the highest frequency of marijuana toxicity claims in Washington, California, and Colorado.”
If you think your dog may have ingested cannabis, here are symptoms to look for:
- A drunken gait, lethargy, and urinary incontinence
- An overreaction to stimuli and disorientation (this affects about 25 percent of dogs)
- Dilated pupils and tremors
- THC concentrates can cause dogs to become comatose
What should you do if your dog consumes marijuana?
The amount of cannabis ingested and the size of your dog directly correlates with whether or not you should take your dog to a veterinarian.
Some animals may be only slightly affected and can be managed at home as long as they can walk without help. These pets should be kept in a safe, quiet space where they won't be able to fall and hurt themselves. Check on your pet frequently to be sure their condition is not worsening.
If your pet is severely affected and can't walk or is comatose, see a veterinarian immediately.
Nank recalls one dog that was treated for weed toxicity. “After munching on some elevated brownies, a [Shetland] sheepdog in California spent five long days and nights being treated at their local veterinary hospital,” he said. “After induced vomiting, IV fluids, assorted medications, and ICU monitoring, the Sheltie went home clear-headed and happy. The cost of care was just over $6,000.”
If you're unsure of what to do, call the APCC at (888) 426-4435 or contact your local veterinarian.
Following the law
No existing or proposed laws address the use of marijuana for veterinary patients. In 2015, Democratic Nevada state Sen. Richard “Tick” Segerblom sponsored a bill to authorize veterinary cannabis use.
“The theory was that veterinarians could prescribe [cannabis] for dogs with the thought that they would try to do some independent research to determine what works,” Sen. Segerblom told Marijuana.com.
The bill didn't pass because, in states where cannabis use is legal, the law applies only to humans — veterinarians are not protected if they recommend cannabis for pets.
Yet, even with anecdotal evidence of the benefits of giving cannabis to pets from dog owners who have given their canines cannabidiol (CBD) oil products, no states allow veterinarians to use the plant extract in treatment.
Bottom line
Treating dogs with weed toxicity can be costly and detrimental to your dog's health, so it's best to keep your stash in a safe and secure place where your pet can't access it. It's also good to note your area's nearest veterinary clinics with urgent care and emergency services.
