More and more dogs are accidentally stoned as marijuana becomes mainstream

By Nina Zdinjak

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, reports of marijuana toxicity in dogs have increased significantly following widespread marijuana legalization.

The national call volume for cannabis use rose from 1,436 to 3,923 cases between 2017 and 2020, Tina Wismer, a veterinarian and executive director of New York’s ASPCA Poison Control Center, said the Los Angeles Times reported.

Photo by pxhere

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It is important to note that these numbers are only a small percentage of the total number of cases as the reports are voluntary. For example, in California, where adult cannabis became legal in 2016, numbers rose 276% between 2016 and 2020, and in Colorado, numbers have increased 11 times since the state legalized cannabis in 2012.

Impact can be critical

The problem is much more serious than it may sound, because when a dog ingests THC-infused edibles for people who weigh many times more than dogs, the effects can be critical. Additionally, some of these treats may contain other chemicals as well, not just THC.

And while likely most incidents happen at home with the owner’s stash, the number of dogs getting high on cannabis outdoors is definitely growing at a rapid pace.

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Karl Jandrey, professor of veterinary science at UC Davis, and Wismer of New York pointed out some of the standard symptoms of cannabis toxicity in dogs: slow heart rate and even low body temperature. ”These signs usually appear about 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion .

Wismer also stressed that if a dog owner suspects a marijuana intake, they should call their veterinarian immediately.

The case of the “stoned” Chihuahua terrier

One of the most recent cases involved a 12-pound Chihuahua Terrier mix named Bentley, who for the first time turned down the french fries offered by its owner.

“He didn’t want to take it, so I knew something was wrong. He was just out, ”said Dana Long, a Tiburon resident, according to the LA Times.

Photo by Sarah Pender / Getty Images

Realizing Bentley wasn’t himself, Long quickly took him to the vet, where he was told that Bentley had most likely picked up a chocolate essence from the sidewalk while walking near a neighborhood middle school.

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“If you ask any of our emergency room vets, everyone would say that the number of cannabis-intoxicated dogs has skyrocketed since medical and then recreational marijuana for humans was legalized,” Jandrey said.

The solution? Dog training

“Avoidance is the only prevention,” says Jandrey. This means that dog owners should take dog training really seriously and should teach their dogs how to behave both inside and outside the home.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.