Before we dive into how Cannabis interacts with dogs, let’s talk about how it affects humans. There is a ton of information about this on the internet, so I’ll try to keep my summary it short and sweet.

The first thing you need to understand is that your body interacts with the compounds of marijuana using something called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It’s a natural part of being a human – whether or not you’ve ever consumed marijuana, you have an active ECS. There are two natural compounds (among dozens) found in Cannabis plants – cannabinol, or CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC – that interact with your body’s Endocannabinoid System in very different ways.

Even though CBD and THC come from the same plant and have a very similar chemical structure, a tiny disparity in their chemical makeup completely changes the way they affect the human body. THC is a psychoactive compound that binds with CB1 receptors in the brain and produces the euphoric “high” that is primarily associated with marijuana. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that doesn’t bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, therefore allowing consumers to get the medicinal benefits of marijuana without “getting high.” Many states that do not legally allow the consumption of THC products are starting to allow the sale of CBD products because they do lack the psychoactive compound THC. The presence of THC is what makes marijuana unsuitable for children, but CBD safe for medical use in those under the age of 18.

I think I’ve given you enough of a run down to understand the difference between THC and CBD, at least for the purposes of this article, but if you’re interested in reading more about the differences, please click here. To read about the way marijuana specifically affects pets, please click here.

There are just about as many options out there now for Cannabis pet products as there are those for humans! CBD can help dogs, cats, horses, and other pets with a wide variety of ailments, including general/separation anxiety, appetite or sleep issues, seizure disorders, and so much more! The most popular ways to give CBD to pets are through infused treats or in droplet form. These are some of our favorite brands!

Treatibles

Treatibles are definitely on our all-time favorites list! Penny gets half of a soft tablet before every flight and they keep her so relaxed without any nervousness. These chews are made with full-spectrum help oil, which means that they contain a lot more of the beneficial cannabinoids found in marijuana (including <0.3% THC) other than just CBD. Treatibles holds many certifications and lab-tests all of their products, so you can feel safe knowing that the dosages are always accurate and the compounds are safe.

Fur20 Pet

Fur20 Pet is a local pet CBD company based here in San Diego! They come highly recommended by our good furiends, the California Dream Frenchies! It is only available in droplet form, but comes in two sizes and you can always make your own infused treats. Check out the Fur20 Pet website below to learn more about them!

What to look for when shopping for Cannabis for your pets:

There are a ton of options in stores and online when it comes to cannabis products for pets. Although it’s written by a CBD company obviously pushing their own products, the following list from Cannanine is a great starting point when it comes to choosing a CBD product for your pet:

1. Always look for a brand or product’s Certificate of Analysis
2. Choose “Nano-Sized Microemulsion” CBD if you can
3. Get something with no detectable THC
4. Only purchase organic hemp products
5. Low price may be a red flag
6. Beware of products labeled only as “hemp oil” without mention of CBD
7. Choose Full-Spectrum Instead of CBD Isolate

Click here to read the full article. I omitted #8 above because I think that infused treats can be just as effective as tinctures if dosed properly. Whatever you buy, be sure to read the dosage chart before giving to your dog. Start with the smallest recommended amount for your pet and give it at least half an hour to kick in before any additional dosage is given.

Note: Though many veterinarians personally advocate the use of CBD (and sometimes low-dose THC) products for pets, they often aren’t legally allowed to recommend it as a medical treatment. If you’re interested in adding a cannabis product to your pet’s treatment plan, please do some preliminary research and discuss all available options with your own veterinarian.

I cannot speak to the legitimacy and/or efficacy of the products listed in the ad block below – you’ll need to cross reference them with this list on your own before purchasing.

Dogs can and do get high. Since dogs have a lot less endocannabinoid receptors than humans do, it takes a lot less marijuana for them to feel the effects. They can get high from smoke inhalation and marijuana ingestion, but the severity of the effects is directly related to the amount consumed versus the body size of the animal.

If a dog consumes a large amount of marijuana compared to their size, they might experience some or all of the symptoms of marijuana toxicity. It’s important to note that there are very few reported cases of deaths from marijuana toxicity.

Symptoms of marijuana toxicity in dogs include:

• Lethargy (moving slow, not responsive)
• Trouble breathing (breathing too fast or struggling to breathe)
• Lowered blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Loss of balance (walking unevenly, twitching, etc.)
• Incontinence* (urinating uncontrollably)

As far as I’ve gathered from my own research, there are mixed messages on whether or not eating raw marijuana bud/flower can affect dogs. For humans, marijuana has no effect without a reaction to heat (i.e. – smoking, vaping, baking in food, etc), but nobody seems to be sure if it’s the same for dogs. Some dogs have been reported showing signs of marijuana toxicity after eating raw marijuana, but many only report mild gastrointestinal distress. I think it’s probably important to get your dog to a veterinarian if they consume a large amount of raw marijuana, just to be on the safe side.

*Because extreme marijuana toxicity can result in seizures for some pets, it’s important to note that there is an important distinction between the presence of bodily fluids. If your pet is shaking/twitching and urinates (pees) themselves, they’re likely just “too high” to control their bladder – a common symptom of mild marijuana toxicity. If your pet is shaking/twitching and defecates (poops) themselves, they’re more than likely having an actual seizure and need emergency medical care.

Click here to read VCA Hospital’s article on marijuana toxicity in pets.

Hear It From a Vet Tech:

“Honesty from a pet owner is crucial in properly treating your pet for a toxin ingestion. Your veterinarian isn’t going to turn you into the police (if cannabis isn’t legal in your state – I live in Indiana). Veterinarians’ priorities are to save your pet’s life from a toxin that could lead to death. Not informing your vet of cannabis ingestion could cause an unwanted outcome because your pet wouldn’t be able to receive proper treatment. Diagnosing Cannabis ingestion is difficult without a complete medical history and list of clinical signs that your pet is experiencing. There are veterinary tests available using your pet’s urine, but they’re considered impractical due to the time needed to obtain results. Urine drug screening for humans produce faster results, but accuracy of testing is inadequate. Thus, owners giving information of the amount and type of Cannabis ingested is imperative to their pet’s treatment plan.

In 2019, the ASPCA noted a huge jump in calls about Cannabis ingestion after many states legalized Marijuana. Pets can become intoxicated by Cannabis in multiple ways, via secondhand smoke, eating edibles, or ingesting it in any form. A variety of edibles are cause for concern with dogs due to the fact that they smell and taste like regular baked goods. Cannabis ingestion alone is toxic, but many edibles contain chocolate or xylitol (sweetener), which are also toxic. Double the toxicity isn’t good for your pet, especially if your veterinarian doesn’t know how to treat it because you weren’t totally honest. Just like your mother would always tell you, honesty is the best policy!”

– Selena Howard, Veterinary Assistant

Click here for Selena’s dog Mateo’s Instagram Page

Even though these events occurred over a year ago, I have been hesitant to share this story. The situation really was out of our control, but people on the internet can be so cruel when they misconstrue a story. However, this blog post feels like the perfect time, if ever, to share our story with all of you.

I tried to keep it as short as possible, but it still ended up being pretty long. I know the majority of you are reading this on your phone, so I’m going to make the full story a toggle. You can take the time to read it if you want, but you’re totally welcome to keep scrolling to continue reading this blog post!

Here’s a one-sentence summary in case you don’t feel like reading the full story: We thought Penny was having a seizure and rushed her to the ER in the middle of the night, only to spend $300 to find out that she’d somehow eaten weed (most likely a dropped piece of an edible) somewhere on that evening’s walk.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian or animal/medical professional – the following advice should be used as part of your personal research and should never be used in place of legitimate veterinary counsel

BuzzFeed News: “Everything You Need To Know About Marijuana And Your Dog”

VCA Hospital: “Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication in Cats and Dogs”

Treatibles: CBD and Pets, “The Science”

Leafly: “Cannabis 101”