How to Get a Dog Unstoned at Home: Safe and Effective Steps
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Recognizing Signs of Marijuana Intoxication
- Physical Symptoms
- Behavioral Changes
- Immediate Response and Home Care
- Assessing the Situation
- Inducing Vomiting Safely
- Using Activated Charcoal
- Follow-up Measures and Prevention Strategies
- Recovery Monitoring
- Preventive Measures at Home
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What steps should be taken if my dog ingests cannabis?
- What are the signs that my dog may be experiencing THC toxicity?
- How long does THC intoxication typically last in dogs?
- What to do if my dog gets off-balanced and wobbly from ingesting THC?
- Sources
When your dog gets into cannabis, it can be scary. There is no antidote you can give at home, so the most important step is to call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away.
Many guides, including ones that help you know how to get a dog unstoned at home, focus on home care. Home care is only supportive: keeping your dog safe, calm and watched while you follow your vet's advice.
Key Takeaways
- Marijuana is toxic to dogs. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
- Don't make your dog vomit or give activated charcoal unless a vet tells you to.
- Keep your dog in a quiet, safe spot and watch its breathing until you get help.
Recognizing Signs of Marijuana Intoxication
If your dog has eaten marijuana, recognizing the signs quickly helps you get care sooner.
Physical Symptoms
The ASPCA lists signs of marijuana poisoning in pets, including prolonged depression, vomiting, incoordination, sleepiness or agitation, excess drooling, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizures and coma.
Dogs often wobble or stumble and may dribble urine.
The Animal Medical Center in New York says signs can appear anywhere from five minutes to four days after exposure and may last several days, depending on how much THC the dog got.
Behavioral Changes
Your dog may seem sleepy and slow to respond, or jumpy and agitated. The Animal Medical Center notes that some pets overreact to sounds.
Any seizure, collapse, trouble breathing or unresponsiveness is an emergency. Go to a vet immediately.
Immediate Response and Home Care
Dogs can be poisoned by a toxic substance like marijuana in many forms: THC can come from flower, edibles or concentrates such as shatter; a cannabis concentrate. Concentrates and edibles can carry much more THC than flower.
Assessing the Situation
Work out what your dog ate, how much, and when. Keep the packaging if you can.
Edibles add other risks. A dog that eats a cannabis brownie faces a double toxicity from both THC and chocolate, according to the Animal Medical Center. Sugar-free products may also contain other ingredients that are dangerous to dogs.
Then call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
Inducing Vomiting Safely
Don't make your dog vomit at home unless a vet or poison control tells you to.
A dog that is already sleepy or wobbly can inhale vomit into its lungs. THC also has anti-nausea effects, so home attempts often fail. Your vet can decide whether making the dog vomit is safe and do it properly.
Using Activated Charcoal
Don't give activated charcoal on your own. Your vet decides whether it's needed and gives it safely, usually at the clinic.
What you can do at home is supportive care while you get advice:
- Keep your dog in a quiet, dim room away from stairs, pools and other hazards.
- Keep your dog warm, since THC can lower body temperature.
- Offer water, but don't force it.
- Watch breathing and responsiveness, and head to the vet if anything gets worse.
There is no antidote. Vet treatment focuses on fluids, body temperature, anti-vomiting medicine and heart rate monitoring, according to the Animal Medical Center. Most pets recover, but large amounts can be fatal, especially for small dogs.
Follow-up Measures and Prevention Strategies
After your dog recovers, take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Recovery Monitoring
Keep a close eye on your dog's behavior and condition. Check for:
- Normal eating and drinking habits
- Regular bathroom routines
- Return to usual energy levels
- No signs of distress or discomfort
If any issues persist, contact your vet and follow their follow-up advice.
Preventive Measures at Home
To prevent accidental ingestion:
- Store cannabis securely: Keep all cannabis, especially edibles, in sealed, locked containers out of reach.
- Tell family members and guests: Make sure everyone knows cannabis is dangerous for dogs.
- Watch walks and trash: Dogs can find discarded joints, edibles or butts outdoors and in the trash.
California's Department of Cannabis Control advises storing cannabis in sealed, child-resistant packaging, where children and pets can't see or reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers on what to do if your dog ingests cannabis.
What steps should be taken if my dog ingests cannabis?
Stay calm, keep your dog somewhere safe, and call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
What are the signs that my dog may be experiencing THC toxicity?
Common signs include wobbling, drooling, dilated pupils, vomiting, sleepiness or agitation, dribbling urine and low body temperature. Seizures and coma can occur in severe cases.
How long does THC intoxication typically last in dogs?
Signs can last from hours to several days, depending on how much THC the dog ate.
What to do if my dog gets off-balanced and wobbly from ingesting THC?
Keep your dog calm, warm and in a quiet room away from stairs, and contact your vet right away.
Sources
- Marijuana, ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Marijuana May Be Legal, But It's Toxic to Pets, The Animal Medical Center
- Responsible cannabis use, California Department of Cannabis Control
