Last Updated on September 26, 2022 by Dogs Vets
Can Weed Kill a Dog?
As cannabis becomes more and more popular, so too does the concern of weed killing dogs.
Though there is limited scientific evidence available, there is a lot of concern and worry out there, especially when it comes to marijuana.
If you have a dog and have discovered they’ve been smoking marijuana, it’s important to take them to the vet for an examination and treatment.
If your dog does end up ingesting weed or any other substance, seek veterinary help immediately.
Marijuana is one of the most common drugs found in dogs, so it’s important to be aware of the dangers and take proactive steps to prevent your dog from ever trying weed or any other drugs.
Be sure to keep marijuana and other drugs out of your dog’s reach, and be proactive about drug prevention in order to keep them safe.
Dogs and CBD
There is a lot of speculation online about whether or not dogs can get high from consuming CBD. Though there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, many people are worried about their pets getting intoxicated or hallucinating.
In reality, CBD will not cause a dog to become intoxicated or hallucinate.
People are also worried about their dogs getting high from consuming CBD, but this is not the case.
CBD oil is a natural remedy that is used to treat various conditions in humans and animals. If you’re concerned about your dog using CBD, talk to your vet first and they’ll be able to provide guidance on how to best care for them while taking CBD oil.
Effects of Marijuana in Dogs
In dogs, the symptoms of marijuana intoxication typically start to show up between 30 and 60 minutes after the animal has consumed or inhaled the drug.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms if you know for a fact, or even just have a sneaking suspicion, that your dog has come into contact with marijuana:
The symptoms of intoxication in a dog can range from minor to severe, depending on factors such as the dog’s weight and sensitivity, as well as the amount of cannabis that was taken.
It’s possible that some dogs will become hyperactive and antsy, while others will become lethargic and act as if they’ve been sedated. The symptoms of nausea can include drooling and sometimes even vomiting.
When a dog consumes cannabis, it might take anywhere from 18 to 36 hours for them to fully recover from the effects of the drug.
Seizures or coma are signs of a more serious reaction and should be treated as emergencies by a medical professional if they occur after using marijuana. Fortunately, marijuana poisoning seldom results in death.
Consult your veterinarian about any concerns you have, regardless of how mild the symptoms may be.
Treatment for Dogs Marijuana Exposure
Even though marijuana use rarely results in death, anyone who has used the drug should seek medical assistance. If you have any reason to believe that your dog has been exposed to marijuana, you should get in touch with a qualified veterinarian.
Do not be hesitant to explain to your veterinarian the form of cannabis that your dog came into contact with, how much of the substance may have been consumed, and the day and time that the exposure took place.
In most cases, the treatment for marijuana toxicity consists of supportive care in order to control the symptoms.
It is possible that your veterinarian will need to perform laboratory testing in order to ascertain whether or not there are systemic effects, particularly if the dog consumed edibles that contained both THC and chocolate (or another toxic ingredient).
Your dog’s veterinarian is only interested in providing the best care possible, therefore providing accurate information regarding your dog’s exposure to marijuana is essential to developing an effective treatment strategy.
Accidental vs. Purposeful Exposure
Any responsible dog owner who smokes marijuana themselves or is in the company of those who do so is at risk of unintentionally exposing their pet to the plant’s leaves or smoke at some point.
However, owners who intentionally “get their pets high” by feeding them marijuana or blowing smoke at them are participating in abusive behavior and crossing an ethical boundary in the process.
Dogs are unable to offer their informed consent to experience a “high,” and doing so may leave them feeling very confused and nervous, with the effects of the drug remaining in their systems even after it has been eliminated.
Keep the cannabis for yourself and any other willing human participants, and spare your dog the unpleasant experience.
Medical Marijuana for Dogs
If your dog has a chronic, debilitating, or terminal condition, you may be tempted to give it marijuana to reduce the symptoms of any medical issues it may be experiencing (pain, anxiety, etc.). This is especially true if your dog is towards the end of its life. However, you run the risk of making things worse rather than better.
Research on the medical and therapeutic applications of marijuana is still in its infancy, and studies on its usage in veterinary medicine are extremely rarer.
At this point in time, the evidence of its usefulness in animals kept as pets is primarily anecdotal. For up-to-date information and recommendations, speak with your veterinarian.
You will be able to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of trying out experimental treatments including cannabis products.
What are some of the signs that my dog is high on drugs?
As concerned pet owners, it is always important to be aware of the signs that your dog might be high on drugs.
Some of the most common signs that may indicate your dog has been taken advantage of and drugged are when it becomes aggressive and starts to act out in various ways.
If you’re worried about your dog’s health, the best thing to do is take it to a veterinarian for an examination.
Veterinarians can help rule out any medical issues that may be causing the drug intoxication, such as dehydration or malnutrition.
Additionally, veterinarians may also perform blood tests and urine tests to determine if your dog has been using drugs in any way. If results from these tests show that your dog has been taking drugs, then steps can be taken to rehabilitate it and get it back on the right track.
Legality
To this day, veterinarians do not have the legal authority to recommend any variety or derivative of cannabis to their patients.
In spite of the fact that marijuana is now legal in a number of states, the Controlled Substances Act classifies it as a schedule 1 drug, which means that it is against the law at the federal level regardless of what individual states decide to do.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its blessing to the use of one product produced from cannabis for the treatment of certain epileptic diseases in people, as reported by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).
According to the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act, it is also acceptable for veterinarians to prescribe this medicine to their patients as a medication that is “off-label” or “extra-label” (AMDUCA).
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