Cannabis Around Pets: Some Precautions And Considerations

There is a boom in pets. With these new friends, there are some considerations and precautions when it comes to cannabis around pets.

First, we could look at how a pet’s body reacts to cannabis use. As with humans, cannabis can affect the neurochemistry of cats and dogs. In addition, it is often consumed in the same way – by inhalation or ingestion. But unlike humans, other animals don’t necessarily tolerate cannabis in the same way. We Homo Sapiens are known to be highly tolerant of cannabis, but that doesn’t apply to pets. Dogs, for example, have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans, which means that any dose of cannabis could be more toxic to them than to us.

How exactly does your pet react to cannabis? With sufficiently high doses, you may find that your dog or cat is moving a bit shakily. They may appear dizzy or more lethargic than usual, which suggests they are under the effects of intoxication. Even if your pet’s bodily functions look abnormal, this could be a sign that they have ingested cannabis. Some of these symptoms include vomiting, uncontrolled peeing, changes in body temperature, and loss of appetite.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you take your pet to the veterinarian right away.

So what precautions can you take?

If you want to protect your pet, the first precaution is to avoid and prevent accidents from ingestion. This is doubly true for dogs than it is for cats. For the most part, cats will avoid consuming anything with cannabis in it. However, as a general precaution, it is a good idea to keep cannabis off the hands (or paws) of pets. This means that you keep your recreational or medicinal cannabis in a safe place that pets cannot easily access. Something like a locked, hard-to-reach drawer could keep your cannabis away from your pets.

Photo by: Duong Nhan

It’s also important to remember to remove any cannabis residue. Pets love to sniff around for potential bites, so disposing of cannabis they’ve already consumed could save them some trouble. As for smoking cannabis, look for places isolated from your pets to glow. Although smoke inhalation is typically less toxic, you may still want to keep your pets away from your cannabis use completely. In this case, finding an isolated location is ideal.

Finally, we should also consider cannabis products for pets. There are CBD products that are specifically designed for pets. These items typically have traces of THC, meaning they are more geared towards pet consumption. Even so, it is best to consult your veterinarian before giving them these products.

Footnote (s)

https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/marijuana-intoxikation-in-dogs-and-cats