My Dog Ate Weed
Cannabis exposure in dogs can cause serious neurologic symptoms, especially with edibles, concentrates, or synthetic products. Here’s what to do right now, when to call a vet, and what treatment may involve.
This is a veterinary emergency.
Call your vet, an emergency animal hospital, or Pet Poison Helpline right away. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to.
Talk to a vet now →Need Emergency Help Right Now?
If your dog has consumed weed and is showing severe symptoms — such as vomiting, tremors, seizures, or collapse — they may need in-person emergency veterinary care immediately. If this is the case, we recommend calling our partner Pet Poison Helpline ($85 consultation fee). They work directly with your emergency vet to guide treatment and help resolve your pet's case faster. Have the product package ready if possible, along with your dog's weight, the estimated amount eaten, the time of exposure, and any symptoms you have noticed.
When to call a vet
Go to the ER now
- ● Go to an emergency vet immediately if your dog has tremors, seizures, collapse, trouble breathing, extreme weakness, coma-like unresponsiveness, or cannot stand.
- ● Treat it as an emergency if your dog ate an edible that may also contain chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or a large amount of fat, because those ingredients can add separate dangers.
- ● Seek urgent in-person care if your dog is very small, very young, elderly, or has underlying heart, liver, or neurologic disease.
See a vet within 24 hours
- ● Call a vet promptly even if symptoms seem mild, because dogs can become intoxicated from relatively small amounts and signs may worsen after ingestion.
- ● Call right away if your dog is stumbling, dribbling urine, vomiting, acting unusually sleepy, agitated, or disoriented.
- ● Call if the product was a concentrated THC product, vape oil, synthetic cannabinoid product, or an unknown cannabis item.
Watch at home, call if it worsens
- ● Do not monitor at home without veterinary guidance. Even though death is rare in typical THC exposures, dogs commonly need triage advice and some need hospitalization for supportive care.
What Happened & Why It's Dangerous
THC affects the brain and nervous system
Dogs are highly sensitive to THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Common effects include ataxia, lethargy, abnormal behavior, tremors, and urinary incontinence.
Edibles can be more dangerous than the plant itself
Brownies, gummies, chocolates, and baked goods may contain THC plus other toxins such as chocolate, xylitol, raisins, or large amounts of fat, which can change treatment and increase risk.
Symptoms may start quickly and last a while
Signs can begin within minutes after inhalation and often within 1 to 2 hours after ingestion, though some dogs take longer to show symptoms. In more affected dogs, signs can persist for 1 to 3 days.
Amount and potency are hard to judge
There is no reliable safe amount for dogs. Potency varies widely between plant material, oils, concentrates, and edibles, and product labels are not always dependable.
What to Do Right Now
1. Remove access — Take the weed, edible, vape cartridge, or packaging away from your dog so they cannot ingest more.
2. Call a vet or poison helpline immediately — Contact your veterinarian, the nearest emergency animal hospital, or Pet Poison Helpline right away for case-specific guidance.
3. Save the packaging — Bring the label, package, or a photo of the product. Tell the vet whether it was dried plant material, an edible, concentrate, vape liquid, CBD product, or synthetic cannabinoid.
4. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to — Vomiting is not safe in every case, especially once your dog is sleepy, wobbly, or neurologically affected.
5. Keep your dog quiet and safe — Place your dog in a calm area away from stairs and hazards. Dogs with cannabis intoxication may be disoriented and can injure themselves.
- 1. Remove access
- 2. Call a vet or poison helpline immediately
- 3. Save the packaging
- 4. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to
- 5. Keep your dog quiet and safe
Common questions
How much weed is toxic to a dog?
What are the symptoms of weed poisoning in dogs?
How long until symptoms appear?
Will my dog recover after eating weed?
Is weed safe for dogs in general?
This page covers what to do when your dog has already eaten weed. For general safety information — including safe amounts, nutritional value, and how to serve it — see our food safety guide.
Can Dogs Eat Weed? →Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.