If your dog ate cannabis, call your veterinarian, an emergency animal clinic, or a pet poison hotline right away. Most dogs survive THC exposure with supportive care, but the dose is often unknown and edibles can deliver far more THC than a dog's body can handle. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before you make that call.
pet marijuana ingestion emergency
This guide covers the signs of cannabis poisoning in dogs, the steps to take in the first hour, what to avoid, and what veterinary treatment usually involves.
Signs Your Dog Ate Cannabis
Signs usually appear within 30 to 90 minutes of ingestion, though edible products can take 2 to 4 hours because the THC is absorbed more slowly. Common signs include:
symptoms of cannabis poisoning in pets
- Wobbling, unsteady walking, or trouble standing (ataxia)
- Extreme sleepiness, a dazed stare, or lack of response to their name
- Vomiting and drooling
- Dilated pupils
- Dribbling urine or losing bladder control
- Head tremors, twitching, or muscle jerking
- Slow heart rate, or less often a fast one
- Low body temperature
- Agitation, vocalizing, or startling easily, since some dogs react the opposite of sedated
- In severe cases, trouble breathing, seizures, or loss of consciousness
Small dogs, puppies, and dogs with heart or liver conditions are at higher risk from the same amount of THC.
CBD for Pets After Cannabis Ingestion: Vet-First Guidance
What to Do Right Away
- Move your dog to a quiet, safe area away from stairs, furniture, and anything they could fall from.
- Find the packaging. Note the product name, THC and CBD content per piece, how many pieces were in the container, how many are missing, and the approximate time of ingestion.
- Call your vet or a pet poison hotline and give them that information. Tell them your dog's weight and any other medications or health conditions.
- Follow their instructions exactly, including whether to come in or monitor at home.
- Keep your dog warm with a blanket and let them rest. Do not encourage them to walk around.
- Watch breathing and consciousness. Note the time of any change so you can report it.
- If you are told to bring your dog in, secure them in a crate or with a seatbelt harness for the drive.
If your dog is unresponsive, having seizures, or struggling to breathe, skip the phone call and go straight to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
What Not to Do
- Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. It can be dangerous if your dog is already sedated or if the product contains chocolate.
- Do not give activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide, milk, oil, or any human medication at home.
- Do not give food or water to a dog who is vomiting or too drowsy to swallow safely.
- Do not assume it is harmless because the label said CBD. Product labels are not always accurate, and full-spectrum products contain THC.
- Do not wait to see if it wears off on its own. Doses are unpredictable and effects can worsen.
What the Veterinarian Will Likely Do
There is no antidote for THC in dogs, so treatment is supportive. Depending on how long ago the ingestion happened, your vet may decontaminate with induced vomiting or activated charcoal, then monitor heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose, and neurological signs. Other common steps include intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, warming support, oxygen, and anti-seizure drugs if needed. Many dogs are hospitalized for 12 to 24 hours and observed until they can stand and eat normally.
Edibles Are More Dangerous Than You Think
Cannabis edibles often contain chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or macadamia nuts, all of which are toxic to dogs on their own. A double exposure can be much harder to treat than THC alone. Edibles also carry a much higher THC dose per bite than most people realize, and a single brownie can be equivalent to many times a human serving.
Always bring the original packaging to the clinic if you can. It helps the veterinary team estimate the dose and check for other toxic ingredients.
How Long Does Cannabis Stay in a Dog's System
Behavioral signs typically last 12 to 24 hours, and longer with large edible doses. Most dogs recover fully with supportive care, though serious cases can be life threatening. Your dog may seem sleepy for a day or two after the worst of it passes.
Preventing the Next Time
- Store cannabis in a locked box or a high cabinet, not in a drawer next to treats.
- Keep edibles in child-resistant packaging and out of purses, backpacks, and coat pockets.
- Clean up dropped flower, roaches, and ash right away, since dogs will eat them off the floor.
- Do not blow smoke toward your dog or leave lit products within reach.
- Dispose of leftover edibles in a sealed container, not an open trash can.
This information is general and does not replace veterinary advice. If you think your dog ate cannabis, contact a veterinarian or pet poison hotline now.