Safety verdict
Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.
Pet ingestion lookup
My cat ate Cannabis - what should I do?
Cannabis sativa
Potentially toxic
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control resource now, especially if any amount was chewed or swallowed.
Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.
Signs to watch for
Incoordination, dilated pupils, drooling, vomiting, and changes in heart rate or body temperature.
Escalation note
Ingestion can lead to significant neurological impairment. Please contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center immediately if ingestion is suspected.
First aid at home
Move the cat to a quiet, low-light room and minimize handling — they are acutely sensitive to noise, light, and touch while intoxicated. Block access to any remaining product. Do not induce vomiting at home; that decision belongs to the vet, and bringing the actual product or label helps them estimate the THC dose.
What to watch for
Stumbling and incoordination, widely dilated pupils, and dribbling urine. Heightened sensitivity to noise and handling, slow heart rate, and a low body temperature. Vomiting and drooling can occur even though THC is normally anti-nausea. Severe doses — especially concentrated edibles, oils, or vape products — can bring agitation, tremors, seizures, or low blood pressure.
Time window
Signs typically appear 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion (faster with inhalation) and last 6 to 12 hours. Heavy doses or concentrated products can keep a cat impaired for up to 96 hours.
When to call the vet
Call immediately for any seizure, severe agitation, collapse, or suspected ingestion of a concentrated product (edible, THC oil, vape cartridge), and for any worsening past the first hour. For mild wobbliness, call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away — vomiting is most useful within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion, so timing matters.
What this means for your cat
Cats that get into cannabis — leaf, edible, or secondhand smoke — usually develop unmistakable neurological signs within an hour: wobbly legs, glassy stare, and a startle reaction to the smallest sound or touch. THC poisoning is rarely fatal in cats, but they can stay impaired far longer than people expect.
Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.
Poison-control resources
This page summarizes source-bound plant-safety information and is not veterinary advice.