Vets believe this has led to an increase in pets accidentally getting high

A new study found that pets of all kinds are one of the demographics hardest hit by legal marijuana. While most accidentally get high and deliver a cautionary tale, some even die from the effects of marijuana.

The study, published in the journal PLOS One, shares the findings from veterinarians across North America. It found that cases of poisoning were most common in dogs, cats, iguanas, ferrets, horses, and more.

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According to the researchers, most pets get unintentionally high from edibles, but they also eat joints and plant matter. CNN spoke to some experts who provided context for the study and emphasized the importance of keeping an eye on your pets when having cannabis in your home.

“It’s important to remember that our pets are not tiny people. They’re very different creatures with different metabolisms, and as such, ingesting marijuana can have serious consequences,” said Dr. Dana Varble, the chief veterinarian of the North American Veterinary Community.

She explained that dogs and cats often experience stress and anxiety after using cannabis, made worse by the fact that they can’t understand what’s going on in their bodies. She says there is a double threat in today’s edibles; one from the THC itself and another from the contents of the edible itself, be it chocolate or sweeteners like xylitol, all of which are harmful to the animals’ metabolism.

Veterinarians and researchers believe this increase in cannabis poisoning in pets may be due to several factors: 1) the legalization of cannabis and 2) people feeling more comfortable reporting these situations. Then there’s also the fact that people are more inclined to introduce CBD or cannabis to their pets because they think it’s a safe way to address their stress or anxiety. “Cannabis-based medicines are not approved for veterinary use,” summarizes one veterinarian.

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The cannabis industry has tried its best to manage those who consume its products by requiring ID and packaging products in child-resistant containers. It’s up to cannabis users to put away their products when they bring them home to ensure they protect their pets and children from these elements.