Cannabis Around Pets Some Precautions and Considerations

Cannabis Around Pets: Some Precautions and Considerations

There is a pet boom going on. With these new friends, there are some considerations and precautions when it comes to cannabis around pets.

To start, we could first look at how a pet’s body reacts to cannabis consumption. Like with humans, cannabis can affect the neurochemistry of cats and dogs. Furthermore, consumption often happens the same way — through inhalation or ingestion. But unlike humans, other animals don’t necessarily tolerate cannabis the same way. Us homo sapiens are noted for high tolerance of cannabis, but the same cannot be said for pets. For example, dogs possess more cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans, meaning that any dosage of cannabis could prove more toxic for them than for us.

So how exactly does your pet react to cannabis? In high enough dosages, you might find your dog or cat moving kind of wobbly. They might seem dizzy or more lethargic than usual, which suggests they are under the effects of intoxication. Also, if your pet’s bodily functions start to look abnormal, it could be a sign that they have ingested cannabis. Some of these symptoms include vomiting, uncontrolled peeing, changes in body temperature, and loss of appetite.

If you see any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you take your pet to the veterinarian right away.

So What Precautions can you Take?

If you want to keep your pet safe, the first precaution to take is to avoid and prevent any ingestion accidents. This proves doubly true for dogs than cats. For the most part, cats will avoid consuming anything with cannabis in it. But as a general precaution, keeping cannabis out of a pets’ hands (or paws) is a good idea. This means placing your recreational or medicinal cannabis in a secure location that pets don’t have easy access to. Something like a locked, hard-to-access drawer could keep your cannabis away from your pets.

Photo By: Dương Nhân

Also, remembering to clean up any cannabis residues is also crucial. Pets love to sniff around for potential morsels, so disposing of any already used cannabis could save them some trouble. As for cannabis in smoke form, look for locations isolated from your pets to light up. Though smoke inhalation is typically less toxic, you might still want to keep your pets completely separated from your cannabis use. If that is the case, finding an isolated location is ideal.

Lastly, we should also consider cannabis products for pets. There are CBD products made specifically for pets. These items typically have trace levels of THC, meaning they are more geared towards pet consumption. But still, it is best to consult your vet before giving these products to them.