Cannabis (Marijuana)
ToxicCannabis is toxic to dogs. Merck reports mild signs from as little as 0.3-0.5 mg/kg of THC, with signs starting within minutes after smoke exposure and 1-2 hours after ingestion.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Do not offer as a treat
There is no recommended treat portion for this hazardous item. If swallowed, contact a vet with the amount, time and product details. Do not induce vomiting yourself.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Lethargy
- Poor coordination or balance
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Urinary incontinence
- Slow heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Low blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Excessive salivation
- Seizures
- Reduced activity and responsiveness
More about this food
The problem compound is delta-9-THC. The Merck Veterinary Manual puts mild clinical signs at THC doses as low as 0.3-0.5 mg/kg, with moderate signs above 2-3 mg/kg. A 22 lb (10 kg) dog crosses that line at 3-5 mg of THC, which is less than a single serving of most gummies or a corner of a brownie. Concentrates, wax, dabs and RSO run far higher per gram, so the margin disappears fast.
Timing matters for triage. Inhaled smoke produces signs within minutes; ingestion takes 1-2 hours, up to 4 hours in a fasted dog. In Merck's case data the three most common signs are lethargy (about 30%), ataxia (about 21%) and vomiting (about 15%), followed by trembling, urinary incontinence and bradycardia. The ASPCA adds dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, hypersalivation and, in severe cases, seizures and coma. In heavily exposed dogs some degree of the signs can persist for 1-3 days.
Death is rare. Merck estimates the probable oral lethal dose above 3-9 g of THC-dominant plant material per kg of body weight and calls fatalities extremely rare. Two things still make this an emergency call. First, edibles are usually more than cannabis: brownies and cookies bring chocolate, and sugar-free gummies and baked goods often bring xylitol, either of which can hurt your dog faster than the THC. Second, a dog that is sedated and wobbly has a poor swallow reflex, so vomiting carries a real aspiration pneumonia risk.
Call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 now, and bring the packaging. Give them the product type, the labeled THC in milligrams, the time, and your dog's weight. Tell them the truth even if your state's laws make you hesitate: veterinary staff need the ingredient, not a confession, and withholding it only delays treatment. Do not induce vomiting at home, especially in a dog already staggering. Decontamination, activated charcoal, IV fluids, thermal support and intravenous lipid emulsion in large exposures are all veterinary decisions.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog only breathed the smoke. Is that a problem?
- Yes, inhalation is a real exposure route. Merck notes that signs appear within minutes after smoke exposure. If your dog shared a closed room, watch for wobbliness, sedation and dilated pupils, and call your vet or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 if anything looks off.
- He ate one 10 mg gummy. Do I really need the vet?
- For a 22 lb dog, 10 mg of THC is roughly 1 mg/kg, which is well past the 0.3-0.5 mg/kg threshold for clinical signs. Sugar-free gummies may also contain xylitol, which is a separate and faster emergency. Call now with the package in hand.
- Is CBD oil the same thing?
- CBD is a different compound and Merck treats it as a separate topic, but human CBD products are poorly regulated and some contain more THC than the label says. Do not dose your dog with a human product; ask your veterinarian before giving any cannabinoid.