So Your Dog Got High… Here’s What’s Next

Did your dog decide to partake in 420 festivities and accidentally get high? First off, don’t freak out!

Your dog will be most likely okay. But, unfortunately, ingesting cannabis can cause issues for canines since it affects them differently than humans. This is called marijuana toxicity. For canines, cannabis is not typically fatal but it is uncomfortable.

It’s important to take the necessary steps to make sure your dog recovers and gets un-stoned as quickly as possible. 

What are the symptoms of a high dog?

There are several symptoms that your dog may exhibit if they ingest cannabis. They may exhibit one or more of the following within less than an hour of ingestion:

• Lethargy
• Drowsiness
• Staggering
• Drooling
• Involuntary urination
• Dilated pupils
• Slowed heart rate
• Hyperactivity
• Hypothermia
• Hypersensitivity
• Disorientation

What type of cannabis did your canine ingest?

There are many types of cannabis products available to users, and the type that your dog ingested matters. 

For example, anything with high levels of concentrated THC content is going to be more toxic to dogs. 

It’s also important to consider the other ingredients they may have ingested along with the THC. For example, the chocolate component of a pot brownie is likely more toxic than the cannabis component.

What to do

The first and best thing you can do for your pet is to call the Pet Poison Helpline or your vet if they’re open, and be honest about exactly what was ingested and how much.

From there, you’ll be given instructions on how to proceed. You may need to get to a vet, or you may just need to provide fluids and let your dog sleep it off. 

If a trip to the vet is recommended, they may use IV fluids, induced vomiting, activated charcoal, and of course, careful monitoring.

How to prevent your dog from ingesting THC in the future

It’s crucial to make sure you prevent any future episodes by storing any cannabis products in locked and/or high-up places. You know your dog, so take into consideration their levels of curiosity and food motivation. If you’ve got the type of pup that can somehow get on the refrigerator, get into the trash can, or find his way to opening the trash can, you’ll want to find a very secure spot to keep your adventurous canine safe.