Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats and Dogs? THC Poisoning Signs

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·

Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats and Dogs? THC Poisoning Signs

Marijuana is toxic to cats and dogs, and THC is the part that causes poisoning. Pets are far more sensitive to THC than people are, and most serious cases involve edibles that smell like candy or baked goods [1]. If you think your pet ate marijuana, call a veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

  • THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, is toxic to both dogs and cats. CBD is not psychoactive and is generally considered to have limited toxicity [2].
  • Edibles are the biggest danger. They often contain chocolate, xylitol, or heavy fats and oils that are also toxic to pets [1].
  • Signs usually start within 30 to 60 minutes of eating marijuana, but edibles can delay signs for several hours.
  • Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
  • Most pets recover well within one to two days with supportive care [1].

Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Yes. Marijuana, also called Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica, contains more than 80 different cannabinoids, but THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most recognized [2]. THC is the compound that causes a high in people, and it is the primary toxic component for pets [1]. CBD does not cause psychotropic effects and is generally viewed as having limited toxicity [2].

Pet Poison Helpline reported a 448% increase in marijuana cases over a six-year period as legalization spread across the United States [2]. More legal products in more homes means more chances for a curious dog or cat to find them.

Which Parts and Products Are Dangerous?

The whole plant can cause problems, but the risk depends on the product and the dose.

  • Raw plant material and flower. Pets can eat dropped buds, stems, or leaves. Even small amounts can cause harm to cats, so store all marijuana securely out of reach [3].
  • Edibles. These are the most common and most dangerous source. Brownies, gummies, cookies, and candies taste good to pets and can carry a large THC dose in a small bite [1].
  • Concentrates and oils. Tinctures, vape cartridges, and waxes contain much higher THC concentrations than plant material.
  • Medicinal products. Legal medical marijuana products vary widely in THC content from strain to strain and plant to plant, so you cannot judge the dose by the label alone [2].

Dogs are much more sensitive to cannabis than humans and are often exposed to high concentrations through edibles [1]. Cats are at risk too, and many cat owners do not realize how small an amount can cause signs [3].

If you keep edibles in the house, treat them like any other medication. Lock them up. A childproof container is not pet-proof.

What THC Does in the Body

THC binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate many normal body functions [4]. In pets, that binding produces the neurologic and physical signs of poisoning. Because THC is fat-soluble, it can stay in the body and keep causing signs for hours.

The dose matters, but so does the form. A pet that eats a small piece of flower may have mild signs. A pet that eats a THC-infused brownie may get a large dose plus chocolate and fat, which adds its own problems [1].

Signs of Marijuana Poisoning in Pets and When They Appear

Signs usually begin within 30 to 60 minutes of eating marijuana plant material. With edibles, signs can take longer, sometimes several hours, because the THC has to move through the stomach and into the bloodstream.

Common signs include:

  • Wobbling, stumbling, or trouble walking
  • Drowsiness, lethargy, or a dazed look
  • Dilated pupils
  • Vomiting
  • Drooling
  • Low body temperature
  • Tremors or twitching
  • Agitation or anxiety
  • Urinary dribbling or loss of bladder control
  • Slow heart rate
  • In severe cases, seizures or coma

Cats often show the same pattern. They may be wobbly, sleepy, or unusually reactive to touch and sound [3]. Some cats become agitated instead of sedated.

One study of illicit fentanyl exposures in pets reported hypersalivation as a clinical sign, which shows how often drooling shows up in pets exposed to drugs in the home [5]. If your pet is drooling heavily and acting off, treat it as an emergency until you know otherwise.

Why Edibles Are a Special Risk

Edibles deserve their own warning. A single THC gummy can contain a dose meant for an adult human. For a 10-pound dog or cat, that is a massive exposure. Edibles also often contain chocolate, xylitol, or rich butter and oils, all of which can be toxic or cause pancreatitis on their own [1].

If your dog ate a marijuana edible, do not wait for signs to start. Call for guidance immediately. You can read more about that specific situation in My Dog Ate a Marijuana Edible: What Should I Do?.

What to Do Right Now

  1. Move your pet away from the product. Pick up any remaining marijuana or edibles so your pet cannot eat more.
  2. Call for help. Contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Both hotlines charge a consultation fee, but they are staffed around the clock.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. Making a pet vomit on your own can cause aspiration pneumonia or make things worse.
  4. Save the packaging. If you have the edible wrapper or product label, keep it. The THC concentration and any other ingredients help your vet plan treatment.
  5. Keep your pet warm and calm. Wrap them in a blanket and keep them quiet. Do not let them stumble near stairs or furniture.
  6. Do not give human remedies. Do not give activated charcoal, milk, oil, or any home detox product.

If you have more than one pet, check all of them. In a multi-pet home, one pet may eat the product and another may eat the vomit. Separate them and watch everyone.

What the Veterinarian Will Do

Your veterinarian will start with a physical exam and a detailed history. Tell them exactly what you think your pet ate, how much, and when. There is no shame in this conversation. The goal is to help your pet.

Treatment is supportive and depends on how sick your pet is.

  • Decontamination. If your pet was seen soon after eating, the vet may induce vomiting safely or give activated charcoal. This is a medical decision based on timing, species, and your pet's condition.
  • Fluids. Intravenous fluids help support blood pressure, body temperature, and circulation.
  • Temperature support. Pets with marijuana poisoning often run low body temperatures. Warming blankets and warmed fluids help.
  • Monitoring. Your vet will watch heart rate, breathing, temperature, and neurologic status.
  • Seizure control. If tremors or seizures occur, medications are used to control them.
  • Other toxin treatment. If the edible also contained chocolate or xylitol, your vet will treat those exposures too [1].

The dose of any medication your pet receives is calculated by the veterinarian from your pet's weight and health status. There is no at-home dose you can safely give.

Outlook After Marijuana Poisoning

Most dogs recover well within one to two days with appropriate care [1]. Cats generally follow a similar course. The pets at highest risk are those that eat a large edible dose, those with underlying heart or neurologic disease, and those who do not receive care until signs are severe.

Recovery does not mean the pet is fine to go home without follow-up. Your vet may want a recheck to confirm that temperature, heart rate, and behavior are back to normal.

Prevention and Safer Alternatives

Prevention is simple in concept and hard in practice, because pets are determined.

  • Store all marijuana, edibles, oils, and vape products in a locked cabinet or a high, closed container. A zipper bag on the coffee table is not storage [3].
  • Never leave edibles out at parties or gatherings. Guests may set them down where a pet can reach them.
  • Keep purses, backpacks, and coat pockets off the floor. Dogs and cats check those first.
  • Tell houseguests that marijuana products must stay out of reach.
  • If you use medical marijuana, treat it like any prescription medication. Keep it in its original packaging and out of the kitchen.

If you are looking for ways to help your pet with pain, anxiety, or other conditions, talk to your veterinarian before trying any cannabis product. The evidence for CBD in dogs is still developing, and evidence in cats remains limited [6]. Some studies show that different CBD formulations produce very different blood levels, so products are not interchangeable [6]. A systematic review of cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats found that most research has focused on CBD-based formulations, and questions about dosing and safety remain open [7].

Never give your pet a product made for people. THC levels vary widely, and a human edible can be a dangerous dose for a pet [2]. If you want to explore CBD for a cat, read CBD Oil for Cats: Feline Safety Profile and THC Toxicity first.

For households with pets that chew plants, it helps to know what else is dangerous. See Plants Poisonous To Dogs and Plants Toxic To Cats. If you want safe greenery instead, Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs covers pet-safe options.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

This article covers common patterns, but every pet is different. The amount eaten, the product, the pet's size, and the time since exposure all change the picture. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your pet and decide on treatment.

Call now, as an emergency, if your pet:

  • Is having a seizure, is unresponsive, or cannot be woken
  • Is having trouble breathing
  • Has a very slow heart rate or feels cold to the touch
  • Ate a THC edible, especially one with chocolate or xylitol
  • Is a small pet that ate any marijuana product

Call the same day if your pet:

  • Is wobbly, drowsy, or acting drunk
  • Is vomiting or drooling
  • Has dilated pupils and seems disoriented
  • Ate marijuana but seems normal so far

Schedule a routine visit if:

  • Your pet had marijuana poisoning and was treated, and you want a recheck
  • You want to discuss safe options for anxiety, pain, or other conditions

When in doubt, call. Poison hotlines and emergency vets would rather answer a question than treat a pet who waited too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cat get high from secondhand marijuana smoke?

Yes, cats can absorb THC by breathing smoke in a closed space. Keep cats out of rooms where anyone is smoking or vaping marijuana, and open windows when you can. Signs look the same as with eating the plant, including wobbling, drowsiness, and dilated pupils [3].

How long does marijuana poisoning last in dogs?

Most dogs recover within one to two days with supportive care [1]. Edible cases can take longer because the THC is absorbed slowly and stays in the body. Severe cases may need a longer hospital stay.

Will my pet die from eating a marijuana edible?

Most pets survive with treatment, and the outlook is generally good [1]. The risk goes up when the edible also contains chocolate, xylitol, or a very large THC dose, or when treatment is delayed. Call for help right away instead of waiting to see what happens.

Is CBD safe for my pet if THC is not?

CBD is non-psychotropic and is generally considered to have limited toxicity [2]. That does not mean any product is safe. Formulations differ a lot in how much CBD actually reaches the bloodstream, and evidence in cats is still limited [6]. Ask your veterinarian before giving any cannabis product.

What should I bring to the vet if my pet ate marijuana?

Bring the packaging, wrapper, or a photo of the label. The THC concentration and other ingredients guide treatment, especially if the edible also contains chocolate or xylitol [1]. Also note the time you think your pet ate it and how much was missing.

Related Articles

References

  1. Cannabis (THC) intoxication in dogs. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
  2. Marijuana Is Toxic To Pets. Pet Poison Helpline.
  3. Effects of Marijuana on Cats. Pet Poison Helpline.
  4. Cannabis and Veterinary Medicine. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2025.
  5. Illicit Fentanyl Exposures in Cats and Dogs Reported to a North American Veterinary Poison Control Center From 2019 to 2023. Journal of addiction medicine, 2025.
  6. Cats and cannabinoids: past, present and future. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2025.
  7. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in dogs and cats: a systematic review. The Journal of small animal practice, 2025.

Further Reading