What should I do if my dog ate Cannabis?

Settle the dog somewhere padded where they cannot fall down stairs or off furniture, and keep the room quiet — bright light and noise worsen the agitation. Pull any remaining product out of reach and bring the wrapper or label to the vet so they can estimate the dose. Do not induce vomiting at home unless the vet specifically tells you to. Call immediately for any seizure, collapse, severe agitation, or any ingestion of a concentrated product (THC oil, baked edibles, butter, vape cartridge). For mild wobbliness, call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away — they can decide whether to induce vomiting, which is most useful in the first 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion.

Cannabis — (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger — Photo by (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt BergeriNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt BergeriNaturalistCC BY

dog safety reference

Is Cannabis safe for dogs?

Q: Is Cannabis safe for dogs?

Cannabis is potentially toxic to dogs. Clinical signs can range from mild to severe depending on the amount ingested. Seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog consumes any part of this plant.

Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa is a flowering plant species known for its psychoactive compounds, which can cause significant physiological distress if ingested by pets. It is widely recognized as a toxic substance for both cats and dogs.

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Cannabis sativaHashishHempMarijuana

Light: High light
Habit: Upright
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

What this means for your dog

Dogs are over-represented in cannabis-poisoning cases, mostly from snatching unattended edibles or joints. The classic look is a sleepy, glassy-eyed dog who startles at every sound and dribbles urine on the rug — alarming, but rarely life-threatening with timely care. Edibles raise the stakes because they pair THC with chocolate, raisins, or xylitol.

What to watch for

Lethargy and weaving, glassy eyes with dilated pupils, and urinary dribbling. Drooling, vomiting, slow heart rate, and exaggerated reactions to sound and touch. Severe ingestions — especially concentrated edibles, butter, oils, or vape products — can cause tremors, seizures, low blood pressure, or aspiration if vomiting is heavy.

Time window

Signs typically appear 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion (faster with inhalation) and last 6 to 12 hours. Severe cases — particularly edibles or concentrated oils — can persist up to 96 hours.

When to call the vet

Call immediately for any seizure, collapse, severe agitation, or any ingestion of a concentrated product (THC oil, baked edibles, butter, vape cartridge). For mild wobbliness, call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away — they can decide whether to induce vomiting, which is most useful in the first 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion.

First aid at home

Settle the dog somewhere padded where they cannot fall down stairs or off furniture, and keep the room quiet — bright light and noise worsen the agitation. Pull any remaining product out of reach and bring the wrapper or label to the vet so they can estimate the dose. Do not induce vomiting at home unless the vet specifically tells you to.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Lethargy, urinary incontinence, tremors, dilated pupils, and abnormal gait or stumbling.

Escalation note

Clinical signs can range from mild to severe depending on the amount ingested. Seek veterinary attention promptly if your dog consumes any part of this plant.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Marijuana is toxic to both cats and dogs, causing symptoms like incoordination and vomiting.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Cannabis sativa is the accepted scientific name for this species in the Cannabaceae family.

Cats & dogs page cats page My dog ate Cannabis

Same dog verdict

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