What happens if a dog eats weed?

Why this matters to dog owners: dogs explore the world with their mouths and noses, and cannabis — whether a loose bud, a dropped joint, or an unattended brownie — is now a common household hazard in many homes. I typically see cases where a relaxed evening, an open bag, or a guest’s snack becomes an emergency by the next morning. Knowing when to watch, when to call, and when immediate veterinary care is needed can make a real difference in outcome and in your stress level.

Why every dog owner should understand cannabis risks

Many familiar scenarios can create accidental exposure: an edible left on a coffee table, trimmings in a kitchen trash can, or a caregiver storing medicinal products without realizing pets can get into them. Owners often worry about whether the dog is “just sleepy” or truly suffering, and must quickly decide whether to monitor at home or seek help. Homes with medicinal cannabis may be more careful about dosing and storage, but the presence of concentrated oils, tinctures, or high-fat edibles increases risk — and people using cannabis for health reasons may unintentionally place products where pets can reach them.

• Common household scenarios leading to exposure: dropped edibles, accessible plant material, improperly stored tinctures or concentrates.
• Typical owner worries and decision points: is my dog safe to sleep it off, or should I call a vet now? How much did they eat and when?
• Differences between recreational and medicinal cannabis in homes: medicinal products may be higher concentration or combined with other medications, increasing risk if accessed by a dog.

In brief — what to expect if your dog ingests weed

If a dog eats weed, the most likely immediate outcome is mild to moderate intoxication: lethargy, wobbliness, and odd behavior that resolve with monitoring and supportive care. Severe poisoning is uncommon for small amounts of plant material, but becomes more likely with edibles (which are often high in fat and THC), concentrates, or multi-ingredient products. When in doubt — if you don’t know how much was ingested, the product was an edible or concentrate, or the dog’s breathing, consciousness, or seizures are affected — call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away.

• Typical outcome: mild to moderate intoxication in most cases, usually self-limiting with supportive care.
• Severe toxicity: uncommon but possible, especially after edibles, oils, or concentrates.
• Action: always consult a veterinarian or a pet poison control center when unsure; they will ask timing, weight, and product details.

Inside the canine body: how cannabis affects dogs

Dogs have an endocannabinoid system that is similar to humans’ but tends to be more sensitive to THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Dogs have more CB1 receptors in certain brain regions, which is likely linked to a stronger neurologic response at lower doses. THC binds to those receptors and may change coordination, alertness, and behavior; those changes may appear more pronounced in dogs compared with people.

CBD, a non‑psychoactive component, interacts differently and is often marketed as calming, but products labeled CBD can contain variable amounts of THC or contaminants and are not risk‑free. Oral ingestion leads to slower but often longer-lasting effects than inhalation: first-pass metabolism in the liver changes cannabinoids into metabolites that may remain active for hours, so a dog that looks fine initially can worsen over several hours.

High-risk situations: when dogs are most likely exposed

The form of the cannabis matters. Edibles often contain butter, chocolate, or other fats that increase absorption of THC and make effects stronger; they may also contain co‑toxins like xylitol (a deadly sweetener to dogs) or caffeine. Concentrates and oils can deliver a huge dose in a small amount of product. Raw plant material is less predictable: potency varies by strain, and a large quantity may still be required for severe signs in a large dog.

Body weight and potency are key. A small dog that eats a high‑THC brownie is at much greater risk than a large dog that nibbles a leaf. Unknown potency is a common problem — products bought outside regulated channels, homemade edibles, or pass‑along baked goods can be far stronger than owners expect. Preexisting conditions (heart disease, respiratory problems, neurologic disease) may make an otherwise mild intoxication more dangerous, and combining cannabis with alcohol or prescription medications can change how a dog responds.

Spotting trouble: warning signs of cannabis poisoning in pets

Watch for mild signs that commonly indicate cannabis exposure: unusual sedation, wobbliness or ataxia, drooling, dilated pupils, and intermittent vocalization or disorientation. These signs often appear within 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion of edibles, but onset can be delayed, and oral exposures may take several hours to peak.

Concerning signs that require urgent veterinary care include seizures, severe difficulty breathing, collapse or unresponsiveness, and persistent low body temperature. Also seek immediate help if the product contained other toxins (chocolate, xylitol, opioids) or if the dog is very small and ingested a potent concentrate. The duration of effects can range from a few hours to 24–48 hours for heavy exposures, so close observation over that window is important.

If it happens: immediate steps every owner should take

First, secure your dog in a calm, safe space away from stairs or hazards so you can assess signs without risking injury. Gather any remaining product, packaging, ingredient lists, and note the time you noticed the dog and when you think ingestion occurred. Product details — THC percentage, edible size, and whether the product contained other ingredients — are among the most useful pieces of information a clinician or poison-control specialist will ask for.

Call your veterinarian or a 24/7 pet poison hotline. Be ready to give your dog’s weight, the product description, the estimated amount eaten, and your observations. These services may advise monitoring at home for mild cases or recommend immediate evaluation. Avoid home remedies: do not induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, or administer human medications unless a veterinarian explicitly tells you to. Inducing vomiting can be dangerous in an intoxicated dog, and some products (oils, solvents) increase aspiration risk.

If instructed to bring your dog in, keep them calm and warm during transport. At the clinic, treatment is supportive: fluids, monitoring of breathing and heart rate, temperature control, and, in some cases, medications to control vomiting or agitation. Seizures or severe respiratory depression are treated as emergencies and may require hospitalization and intensive care.

Keeping it from happening again: practical prevention tips

Prevention is straightforward, but it requires consistent habits. Store all cannabis products — plant material, edibles, tinctures, and concentrates — in locked containers high enough that a curious dog cannot reach them. Don’t rely on a bag on a table or a purse on a chair; dogs can and do harvest dropped items quickly, often when owners are momentarily distracted.

Training cues such as “leave it” and reliable recall reduce the chance a dog will pick up dropped food, and supervised access in the kitchen or living areas helps as well. Educate guests and household members: a visitor may think a treat on the counter is harmless when it is actually a high‑THC brownie. Finally, dispose of waste securely: pet‑proof trash cans and double‑bagging edible remnants will cut down on opportunistic snacking.

Safety gear and storage solutions to protect curious pets

Invest in a few simple items that reduce risk. A lockable medicine or cannabis box makes storage foolproof and removes the temptation to tuck a jar behind other items where it’s easy to forget. Pet‑proof trash cans with lids or step mechanisms stop dogs from raiding refuse, and elevated storage units keep medicines and edibles out of reach for all but the most athletic pets.

A basic pet first‑aid kit that includes a flashlight, towel, and an emergency contact card with your veterinarian, local emergency clinic, and a poison hotline number is useful. Keep a notebook or phone photo of product packaging so you can quickly provide ingredient and potency information if needed. I keep laminated cards with my clinic’s preferred poison hotline numbers on the refrigerator and in my car for fast access.

References and expert sources

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: “Marijuana (Cannabis)” – guidance and 24/7 consultation information (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center).
• Pet Poison Helpline: “Marijuana (THC) Toxicity in Pets” – clinical signs, treatment, and emergency contact details (Pet Poison Helpline).
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “People and Pets: Cannabis” — owner guidance and veterinary recommendations (AVMA.org).
• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Cannabis (Marijuana) Toxicity in Small Animals” — clinical overview and management recommendations (Merck Veterinary Manual).