Can Dogs Get High from Eating Weed?

Updated: 6/9/2021

People have strong views about drugs, both in favor of their use and against it. Of course, the law in different areas of North America varies when it comes to drug usage, which means many people make a personal choice that is outside of the law. 

When it comes to so-called recreational drugs, cannabis is arguably top of the list. And here the terminology can get a little confusing because cannabis refers to the whole plant, while marijuana and weed refer to products made from the plant, and hash is a dried, compressed resinous type product of the cannabis plant. 

So much for the individual's decision to experience the ups or downs of drug usage. But what if a stash at home accidentally gets eaten by the dog, could this do them harm?

YES!

From eating a stash, stealing foods adulterated with marijuana, or inhaling weed, dogs are going to get high, especially given their smaller size compared to people. While a safe quantity of cannabis is rarely dangerous to people (unless they are driving under the influence!) sadly the same is not true for dogs, and it's important to seek urgent veterinary attention for the intoxicated pet.

Moreover, don't allow an incident to happen. If you do use recreational drugs, keep them well away from pets and children.

Signs to be alert for include:

• Dilated eyes
• Drooling
  
• Excitability
• A bizarre gait
• Altered mental status and seeming spaced out
• An unusually slow or an abnormally high heart rate
• Rapid breathing
  
• Seizures
  
• Coma and death

Causes of the high are most likely down to the dog's inquisitive nature and scavenging something inappropriate. Also, don't forget that a dog sharing the same airspace is also going to breathe in any weed that's being burnt. 

A diagnosis is made by the physical symptoms a vet finds on clinical examination, especially if there is a history of recent access to a stash. This is why it's especially important to confide in your vet and be honest… they won't pass judgment and it could save both time and expensive blood and urine tests to reach a diagnosis. 

For more detailed information, visit Marijuana poisoning in dogs.

In all honesty, it's best not to take any chances, and take your pet to the vet. Whereas people usually self-limit the amount they take, dogs are likely to overindulge by accident, which places them at greater risk of harm.

Your vet may place the dog on a drip of intravenous fluids in order to flush out their system and prevent dehydration due to excessive vomiting. In addition, drugs from the benzodiazepine family can calm down the nervous system and reduce the risk of seizures.

Dogs experience many of the same physical effects as people. What we can't know for sure is how it affects them mentally. Since cannabis has the effect of making happy thoughts even happier, and depression even deeper, there could be a chance that it would disinhibit aggressive dogs and make them potentially more dangerous.

Because of a dog's smaller size relative to a person, they are at greater danger of a serious overdose. This is also the case as they might scoff down the entire stash in one go, whereas the owner might have enough for several sessions stored down. 

While there has been no recorded marijuana death in people, the same is not true for dogs.

Dizzy the dog discovers his owner's stash of hash and scarfs it down. His owner returns home to find the dog fitting and unconscious. He rushes the dog to the vet. She sedates the dog with diazepam and places him on a drip of intravenous fluids. Sadly, the dog passed away despite supportive care and intervention.

Marijuana poisoning in dogs can be expensive to treat. To prevent high vet care costs, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!