Your dog or cat just ate your cannabis, what should you do first?

Pets are companions that many owners share most things with. Dogs and cats are heavily involved in their owners’ daily activities. This has led to instances where these pets end up eating more than they are given to eat in their food bowl. The question of what to do if your pet eats grass is a good question that all pet owners should know the answer to. Read on as we address some of the top things to do if your pet is eating grass, and also answer if it’s necessary to visit the vet.

The first reaction of many pet owners when they realize their pet has consumed weed is panic. While this action is very natural and expected, there are a few things that need to be done for the pet’s well-being. Some of these things can’t be done in this state of panic, so the first thing to do is regain your composure and stay calm. With that done, there are a few things you need to confirm before deciding whether or not to take the pet to the vet.

There are different types of marijuana products that a pet can get their hands on. It is therefore important that you carefully note what the pet has eaten in order to know the best way to deal with it. The most common type of marijuana that pets can consume is marijuana buds. They are also more dangerous to pets than the plant’s leaves. Likewise, oil and butter from the leaves of the plant contain high levels of THC and are dangerous for the pet. Marijuana products that mainly contain CBD are less harmful to pets because THC mainly affects them negatively.

Edible cannabis products are widely available these days and can be easily consumed by pets. Surprisingly, some of the foods in circulation pose a major risk when consumed by pets. This risk isn’t just limited to THC, as ingredients like chocolate are very dangerous to dogs than THC. That means pot brownies can easily send your pet to the vet, so it’s best to keep them away from them. Gummies and candies are also very harmful to dogs’ health. They contain xylitol, which is very risky and potentially deadly for dogs.

Pet owners who have cannabis products in their home must go to great lengths to identify symptoms of weed poisoning in their pets. This is because the pet can already have consumed the grass without leaving a trace. At this point, weed toxicity symptoms are the best way to educate the pet owner on the best course of action. Marijuana toxicity in pets is a very serious condition and needs to be treated as such. Two cases of dog deaths from marijuana use in Colorado between 2005 and 2010 show just how harmful it can be.

Depending on the type of product consumed, pets will show signs of marijuana use very early on. Dogs or cats that consume marijuana buds, flower, oils, or butter will show signs within an hour. When pets consume edibles, it takes longer for symptoms to appear. It can take up to three hours for the first symptoms to appear. Like humans, animals respond differently to marijuana due to physical and biological variations. The first set of symptoms seen in pets when they consume is a depressed and lethargic state. Some animals, on the other hand, are known to become overstimulated and fearful.

The second set of symptoms are gastrointestinal upset after the THC is absorbed into the bloodstream. Diarrhea, drooling, and vomiting are common in animals because THC is stored in fats due to its solubility. Other associated symptoms include dilated pupils, tremors, low body temperature, urine leakage, slow heart rate, and low body temperature. Some of these symptoms may not appear, but as soon as two or three manifest themselves, it should advise you on what to do next.

Marijuana toxicity is a very serious issue that should not be taken lightly by any pet owner. The first set of actions is mainly supportive, since the final base of actions to help the pet must be carried out by the veterinarian. Irregular heart rate and vomiting are strong signs that marijuana toxicity is bad, and without discussion, such pets need to be taken to the vet. A seizure is worse and must be treated as an emergency. When the dog arrives at the vet, the first thing they do is a physical exam to check their vital signs. After that, the decision of whether or not to hospitalize the pet depends on the pet’s condition and its response to medical interventions.

While the animal is at the vet, its condition will be treated on a case-by-case basis. This means that the symptoms are treated individually with supportive measures. In cases where ingestion of the weed is discovered early and taken to the vet, the vet will attempt to induce vomiting. This delays and can eliminate the onset of symptoms. In cases where symptoms have developed, the pet will be given fluids, anti-nausea medication, and cardiovascular support after hospitalization. For pets that consume brownies, chocolate is very harmful to dogs, meaning treatment will be more aggressive. It will be necessary to include activated charcoal, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmic drugs and fluid therapy. This further demonstrates why it is important to take the pet to the vet once ingestion and symptoms have been established.

We have shown that once pet ingestion is demonstrated, it is important for the owner to take responsibility for some things. The owner needs to determine what the pet has ingested and watch for symptoms. After that, it is of paramount importance that the pet gets to the vet to ensure optimal therapy is established.

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