Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/pets-overdosing-marijuana/

A new study found the incidents of pets overdosing on marijuana have gone up since its legalization in Canada in 2018.

The report came from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and was published in PLOS ONE.

According to the report, not only are dogs and cats overdosing on marijuana more frequently, but other pets are as well, such as cockatoos, horses, ferrets, and iguanas.

Drug researchers surveyed over 200 veterinarians in 2021 for the study. The vets were asked to recall incidents of marijuana-related vet visits prior to 2018 and after 2018.

As per the self-reported results, there has been an increase in THC toxicosis since 2018. According to the American Kennel Club, symptoms of marijuana poisoning in dogs include:

– Stumbling and crossing over feet
– Dull and lethargic
– Dilated pupils
– Urinary incontinence
– Vomiting
– Tremors and shaking
– Agitation

Dogs, cats, and other pets can experience such symptoms if they ingest or are otherwise exposed to THC. While we’d like to think most instances of marijuana overdosing in pets are accidental, there are definitely some people who intentionally try to get their animals “high” by blowing smoke in their ears or offering them edibles.

In fact, in an interview with CNN, Jibran Khokhar, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph, said that most patients claimed their animals were accidentally exposed, but he doesn’t think veternarians should rule out intentional exposure.

“I don’t think we can rule out intentional use, either for recreational purposes or medicinal purposes,” Khokhar said. Scrolling through social media, you can see plenty of videos showing people purposefully exposing their pets to marijuana, which can have devastating side effects.

In severe cases, exposed pets may need to be treated with IV fluids or have induced vomiting and activated charcoal to absorb the toxin. Thankfully though, the majority of animals exposed to THC do make a full recovery and some can even make the recovery from the comfort of their homes!

Part of being a responsible cannabis user is ensuring the product is properly stored in sealed containers, away from pets and children. Accidents do happen, but it’s never a good idea to purposefully expose an animal to THC without the green light from that pet’s veterinarian.

Hopefully the rise in reported marijuana-related pet overdoses will go back down as pet parents become more aware of the risks and side effects.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog