If you suspect your dog is high from consuming marijuana or other cannabis products, you should contact a veterinarian or animal poison control immediately. THC is toxic to dogs, and even small amounts can cause severe symptoms.
If your dog is showing mild symptoms of THC toxicity, your vet may recommend you ride out the high at home and keep your pup calm with lots of supportive care. Make sure your dog gets plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
The prognosis is generally very good with appropriate care. Most dogs recover fully in one to two days, though more severe exposure can extend recovery to three days. Extremely high-dose ingestion is rarely fatal but has been reported in some cases.
Many of the signs of intoxication are neurological. Pets may become wobbly and uncoordinated. They may be hyperactive or sleepy, disoriented, and/or very vocal. Their pupils may dilate, giving them a wild-eyed appearance, and they may drool excessively or vomit.
How To Get a Dog To Drink Water
If your pooch is mildly dehydrated provide your pet with small amounts of water to drink every few minutes or offer your dog pieces of ice to lick. To help restore your dog's electrolyte balance you could also provide your pup with Ringer's lactate (an electrolyte replacement fluid).
The "10-minute rule" for puppies often refers to short, focused training or exercise sessions, like 10 minutes of playtime or training, to prevent overwhelm and build positive habits, or a potty training method: 10 minutes outside for a potty break, 10 feet of space, and 10 minutes of supervision; if they don't go, back to the crate for 10 minutes, then try again. It's also a patience strategy for owners: set a timer for 10 minutes when frustrated, knowing the behavior will likely stop or change, helping you maintain calm.
Because THC is stored in fat cells, the effects of ingestion can last for several days. With proper treatment, dogs usually recover fully within 24 to 36 hours, but some cases may take up to 72 hours. The recovery time depends on the type of cannabis and if the dose was ingested or inhaled.
Dogs who may have ingested marijuana need immediate veterinary care. Treatment may include: Inducing vomiting: If the ingestion was recent (within 1-2 hours), the veterinarian may induce vomiting to remove the toxin from the system. However, this is not always recommended, as it can sometimes make signs worse.
How to Help Your Dog Recover From Being High. What else can you do to get your dog unstoned? Your pet could experience symptoms for up to 24 hours, so you need to stay attentive until all signs of intoxication have passed. Continually cuddle them, if they're in the mood for it.
In reality, weed does the opposite of relieving anxiety in dogs. They will experience tremors and substantial fear and anxiety when they are exposed to THC, and these effects will not subside in a matter of hours. Dogs can remain in this anxious and fearful state for days following exposure.
All pets can develop breathing problems, eye irritation, and skin irritation when exposed to smoke and smoke residue. Curious pets become very sick when they eat cigarette butts, nicotine gum or patches, and need emergency veterinary treatment. Small pets, puppies and kittens can even die from eating them.
Toxicity in dogs can show up anywhere from minutes to several days or even months after exposure, depending entirely on the substance; some toxins (like alcohol or certain pesticides) are rapid, causing symptoms like drooling or seizures quickly, while others (like some rat poisons) cause delayed internal bleeding over days, requiring immediate veterinary attention even if the dog seems fine. Always contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately if you suspect poisoning, even without symptoms.
Activated charcoal can also be given to bind to the THC. Lastly and more commonly, fluid therapy and keeping your pet warm while providing lots of cuddles. It's a scary thing for your pet, and we want to ensure that they feel comfortable while the effects of this drug wear off.
If your dog ate weed gummies, how long will it take for them to wear off? Clinical signs of cannabis toxicity can last up to 72 hours in dogs. But most effects last 18 to 24 hours. The cannabis must be metabolized by your dog's body and excreted through their feces.
Your veterinarian can help by:
Symptoms of Marijuana Toxicity in Dogs
The dog will be uncoordinated and listless. A characteristic sign is a drowsy-looking dog who begins to fall over but then catches himself. He will also have dilated pupils, a slow heart rate and sometimes urinary incontinence.
If your dog's fever is 106° F or higher immediately take your dog to a local veterinary emergency clinic. If your dog has a fever, of 103° F or more, you can help to cool your dog's body temperature by applying cool water with a soaked towel or cloth to your dog's ears and paws and running a fan near your dog.
Take your dog to an emergency veterinarian immediately if you see severe disorientation, inability to stand, seizing, repeated vomiting, or unusual heart rate. Don't wait if symptoms are getting worse quickly. Call the veterinary hospital first to let them know you're coming.
The high and other effects usually last 18-24 hours in dogs. Because THC is so toxic for dogs, they can't just “sleep it off.” If you notice these symptoms, call your vet immediately.
Symptoms of intoxication in dogs
Some dogs can recover from even very severe overdoses if they get to the veterinarian right away. Cases where the poisoning was not discovered until later or the cause is unknown are much harder to treat. Your dog's prognosis will depend on the diagnoses of a veterinarian.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
“The 2:1 crate rule says that for every two hours a dog spends inside their crate, they should spend one hour out of the crate,” explains Lane. “For puppies, especially those still potty training, this is generally a good rule of thumb.
This will help to prevent the puppy from peeing in the house and also help her get used to going to the bathroom outside. In general, the number of hours puppies can hold their urine is equal to their age (in months) plus one. So, a 2-month-old puppy can theoretically hold her bladder for about three hours.