Marijuana or weed is not just harmful to humans, it can also be for animals too. Usually, people use it to relieve stress but because of its addictive nature, they then become dependent on it. If your dog ate weed then you immediately need some tips to handle the situation. You might be thinking about what it will do to the dog’s body. Don’t worry! I’m here to help you out.
Eating weed doesn’t usually lead a dog to death but if the amount of marijuana is high then it can have some serious life-threatening issues. If the amount is high then you should immediately take them to a Veterinarian.
6 Signs and Symptoms That Your Dog Ate Weed
Weed or marijuana is a highly addictive and strong drug. That’s why if taken then after some time it will show its symptoms. Usually, the effects of weed in dogs lasts for almost 24 to 48 hours. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of Marijuana Poisoning in dogs.
1. Stumbling and Crossing Over Feet
Stumbling and crossing over feet is one of the signs that your dog has eaten some weed. If you notice that your dog is not walking properly and doing some other unexpected things then immediately check the place where you had placed the marijuana. If you see some signs that your dog has taken it then immediately take some essential steps at home or take them to a Vet.
2. Dull and Lethargic Behavior
Dogs are one of the most energetic species out there. Marijuana makes dogs sleepy. That’s why if they had taken some marijuana then you might be able to see some dull and lethargic behavior.
3. Urinary Incontinence
Just like humans marijuana can also cause urinary incontinence in dogs. Urinary incontinence means a pet leaks urine by accident. You might think that you can remove this Urinary incontinence by giving them some obedience training. But that’s not true. It’s a medical condition and if you are noticing any Urinary incontinence in your paw then you should immediately take them to the vet clinic.
4. Vomiting
The digestive system of a dog is different from humans and that’s why they might not be able to digest weed. If that’s the case then your dog might vomit frequently.
In this condition, vomiting is good for them because it will help the THC wear off faster. But if you notice more vomiting then it’s better to seek help from a Veterinarian.
5. Tremors and Shaking
Marijuana can cause tremors in dogs. It’s a medical condition that can create involuntary and rhythmic muscle contraction which leads to shaking movements in one or more muscles. So, if you notice involuntary shaking in your dog then it’s a clear-cut sign that your dog has taken some marijuana.
6. Agitation
Agitation is also a serious medical condition. It’s a state of anxiety or nervous excitement. If your dog has taken marijuana then be ready to see this behavior in your dog. Usually, it will be removed automatically when the THC wears off. But if your dog is unknowingly taking marijuana for a long period of time then the Agitation could take a long time to be completely removed.
As soon as you see any of these symptoms, immediately bring your dog to the vet.
How Long Until Symptoms Develop? How Long Do They Last?
Symptoms of weed in dogs usually start appearing after one hour of ingestion. At first, the symptoms might be mild but that’s just a start. The condition can worsen over time because marijuana takes time to start showing symptoms and the outcomes of it can remain for a long period of time.
In most cases, the symptoms disappear within 24 hours even without any treatment but if the amount of weed is high then it can take up to 48 hours.
“ Keep in mind that all of these suggestions are based on my own experience. Don’t take it as medical advice. If your dog is in a serious condition then you should consult with a Veterinarian. ”
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How to Help a Dog Who Ate Weed?
1. Treating It at Home
If you are thinking of treating your dog at home without going to a vet then there are a couple of steps that you can follow in order to speed up the natural recovery of your dog.
- Set an alarm for at least every one or two hours: try to set an alarm for at least every one or two hours. It will remind you about your dog so that you can check on them regularly.
- Keep an eye on their temperature and check their swallowing: if you are taking care of your dog at home then it’s essential to check their temperature after every 2 to 3 hours. If the temperature is too low then you should immediately take them to the Veterinarian.
- Offer food and water: offering them food and water frequently can help the THC in weed to wear off faster. Your dog might not want to eat anything in this condition if that’s the case then don’t force them to eat a lot. Waiting for a natural recovery is the best step that you can take at your home.
- Try to wake your pup up: after every few hours try to wake up your dog and let them walk for a few minutes. It will help you in getting to know about their condition and will also reduce the effect of THC.
Keep in mind that your dog may not be able to do any of these things, but following some of them can help the THC to wear off faster.
Some Exceptions: If a marijuana edible also contained chocolate, the treatment could be more aggressive. Chocolate can cause a lot of serious issues like high heart rates, seizures, and even death. That’s why in this situation you should immediately take your canine companion to the Vet clinic.
Avoiding these types of accidents is nearly impossible. If you have a pet then be ready to face these types of similar issues in the future. Dogs try to eat a lot of things that are dangerous for their health. That’s why they need immediate help from you!
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2. Going to a Vet
If, however, your dog starts showing more serious symptoms than what was described above, such as their body temperature gets too low, or you cannot wake them up, or if you’re otherwise worried about them in general, it’s best to talk to a vet sooner rather than later. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
There are basically four things that you can look at to check whether you need to go to a vet or not. Here are the 4 factors:
- Body temperature: we have talked about a low body temperature but you might be wondering what a normal temperature is. The body temperature of a normal dog is around 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit (38ºC). If you notice that the temperature is less than 98 degrees Fahrenheit then you should immediately contact a Veterinarian.
- Shaking: any involuntary shaking in a dog’s body could be because of the THC in weed. If this condition remains for some time then it can cause other serious issues in your dog. That’s why if you are noticing this behavior then immediately take them to the vet.
- Loss of consciousness: marijuana makes a dog sleepy but you should be able to wake them up. If you are unable to wake up your dog then it might be in a serious condition.
- Your comfort level: if you are not comfortable taking care of your dog at home then it’s a great idea to seek help from a Veterinarian. According to the current condition, the Vet can suggest to you some other important things or they might admit your dog to a hospital for 1 or 2 days.
Will The Vet Report You to The Cops?
Marijuana or weed is becoming legal in more and more states. That’s why In most cases, the Vet will not report you to the cops.
Instead of putting you inside bars, most Veterinarians will focus on the speedy recovery of your dog. So, don’t get scared and take your dog to the Vet as soon as you can!
How to Prevent Future Incidents of Marijuana Ingestion by Your Dog?
Since dogs are curious companions that sniff around almost anywhere in the home. So, if you don’t take some steps then these types of accidents can take place frequently.
Here are some of the steps that you can take to prevent future accidents.
1. Cover All THC-containing Products
Covering all THC-containing products is one of the best steps that you can take to prevent future accidents. So, place all THC-containing products out of reach and don’t let your dog roam off a leash.
2. Be Aware of The Signs and Symptoms of Poisoning
If you already know the signs and symptoms of poisoning from weed in your dog then it will be easy for you to guess what is happening with your dog. So, carefully read all the signs and symptoms that I have mentioned above.
3. Connect With Support When Needed
If you have weed or marijuana in your home then it’s important for you to connect with support when needed. This step could save the life of your little paw.
The following are some of the best options that you can use to connect with immediate support:
- Having the phone number of any Veterinarian
- Knowing the location of the nearest Vet’s clinic
- 24/7 online Vet support
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weed Bad for Dogs?
THC, a key psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is toxic to dogs that’s why keeping dogs away from discarded joints, edible marijuana or drug-tainted poop is important.
How Much Weed Is Toxic to Dogs?
Even a little amount of marijuana is toxic to dogs. One of the main components of weed is THC which is dangerous for dogs. So, keep it away from your little canine companion.
My Dog Accidentally Ate Weed and Is Shaking, What Do I Do?
Immediately take them to the Vet Clinic. The Vet might give them charcoal or salty water so that your dog can throw out most of the THC via vomiting.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Weed Ashes?
While marijuana toxicity is not known to kill dogs, there can still be fatal complications. Marijuana could lead them to serious medical conditions like stumbling, vomiting, urinary incontinence, and agitation.
Will Eating Weed Get a Dog High?
The short answer to this question is YES. Weed can get a dog high. Not only that, but it can also cause some serious medical issues for your dog.
Can Eating Weed Cause Any Long-term Health Effects for Dogs?
Yes, eating weed can cause a couple of long-term health effects for dogs. Some of these effects are as follows: tremors, agitation, urinary incontinence.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article might help you in understanding the side-effects of weed on dogs. I have also discussed some of the signs and symptoms of marijuana poisoning along with different ways to help a dog who has eaten weed.
Along with taking help from my tips don’t forget to take advantage of a Pet Insurance Company. Any renowned company will ensure that you get immediate support in case of any emergencies. It could help you in saving the life of your little paw!
If you found this resource helpful then share it with your loved ones. Feel free to ask any other questions in the comment section.
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