Dog Ate Weed? Cannabis Toxicity Signs in Pets and What to Do

A dropped joint on the sidewalk, a bag of gummies in a backpack, a tray of brownies on the counter: most pet cannabis poisonings are accidents at home. Dogs, in particular, eat the whole package. The ASPCA's poison control team has warned that pets don't stop at one bite and can swallow several human doses at once.

This guide explains what to watch for, what to do in the next hour, and how vets treat it. It is not veterinary advice; your vet or a poison line should guide the decisions.

Onset

30 min to a few hours after eating; minutes after inhaling

Duration

Usually 1–3 days

ASPCA Animal Poison Control

(888) 426-4435, 24/7

Pet Poison Helpline

(855) 764-7661

Antidote

None; supportive care

Emergency extras

Chocolate or xylitol in the edible

Signs your pet ate cannabis

Wobbliness and unusual drowsiness are the most common signs, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.

• Loss of coordination — stumbling, swaying, head bobbing.
• Lethargy or sedation — unusually sleepy, slow to respond, vacant stare.
• Dribbling urine — urinary incontinence is a common sign of cannabis intoxication in pets.
• Dilated pupils and sensitivity to light, sound or touch; startling at small noises.
• Vomiting and drooling.
• Slow heart rate and changes in body temperature; some animals are agitated with a fast heart rate instead.
• Tremors; seizures are uncommon but possible.

Merck cites Pet Poison Helpline cases from January 2018 to February 2023, in which lethargy appeared in about 30% of animals, incoordination in 21% and vomiting in 15%. Cats show similar signs.

What to do right now

Move fast, but call before you treat anything at home.

1. Secure the rest of the product
   Keep the package or a photo of the label. THC milligrams, and whether it contains chocolate or xylitol, change the advice.
2. Estimate how much and when
   Count missing gummies or pieces and note the time.
3. Call your vet or a poison line
   ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Both may charge a consultation fee; the case number lets your vet follow up with them.
4. Don't induce vomiting unless told to
   Merck advises vets to induce vomiting only in animals that are still clinically normal and within about an hour of eating it; a sedated pet can inhale vomit.
5. Keep your pet safe while you wait
   Confine them to a quiet, dim room away from stairs and water, and keep them warm.

Why dogs are more sensitive than people

Dogs have a higher density of cannabinoid receptors in the brain than humans, so a dose a person barely notices can knock a small dog off its feet, according to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Size matters too. A 10 mg gummy is a starter dose for an adult human and a large dose for a 10-pound dog. Concentrated products are the most dangerous: the two dog deaths described in the veterinary literature involved concentrated products such as cannabis butter, Merck notes, although death remains extremely rare.

How vets treat cannabis toxicity

There is no antidote, so treatment supports the animal until the THC wears off.

Depending on timing and signs, a vet may induce vomiting, give activated charcoal to limit absorption, run IV fluids, give anti-nausea medication and keep the animal warm and monitored. Severe cases can need hospitalization, and some vets use intravenous lipid therapy in large overdoses, concentrated products or severe cases, according to Merck. Most animals recover fully within one to three days (Cornell says one to two days for most dogs).

• Be honest with the vet — they are there to treat your pet, not to report you. Knowing it was cannabis saves time and tests.
• Don't rely on a human drug test — Cornell notes that human urine tests are unreliable for dogs, so your history matters more.

Are pet poisonings rising or falling?

Calls rose sharply with legalization, then eased as owners learned the risk.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reported in 2023 that it had seen nearly 11% more marijuana-related calls in 2022 than the year before and close to a 300% increase over five years. In its March 2025 update covering 2024, the ASPCA said THC exposures were decreasing, likely because owners are more aware, while recreational drugs overall stayed at number 10 on its list of top pet toxins. The center handled more than 451,000 calls of all kinds that year.

Prevention: pet-proofing your stash

Store cannabis the way you store medication, and remember that dogs can smell through a handbag.

• Keep products in their original child-resistant packaging, inside a closed cabinet or lockbox, not on counters or nightstands.
• Don't leave bags, backpacks or coat pockets on the floor.
• Dispose of joint ends and packaging in a lidded bin.
• Don't smoke in a closed room with pets.
• Tell guests and sitters where products are and what to do.

Our guide to storing cannabis safely at home has more on containers. And if you are wondering about cannabis or CBD as a treatment for pets, ask your vet: in Maryland, for example, a new law lets veterinarians discuss it from October 1, 2026, as we reported in our news story. Human products are not made or dosed for animals.