My Dog Ate Marijuana: Signs, Timeline, and What to Do

If you just discovered your dog got into your stash, edibles, or a discarded joint on a walk, take a breath: accidental marijuana (THC) ingestion is one of the most common toxin calls pet poison centers handle, and the large majority of dogs recover completely with prompt supportive care [1][2]. Deaths are genuinely rare and almost always involve high-potency edibles or cannabis butter [2]. What matters most right now is acting quickly, watching for the signs below, and being completely honest with your vet — they are there to help your dog, not to judge you or report you.

How Dogs Get Into Marijuana

Dogs are curious, food-motivated, and have a far better nose than we do — so exposure happens in lots of ways:

• Edibles — brownies, cookies, gummies, chocolates, and chips. These are the most dangerous form because the dose is concentrated and the treat is designed to be eaten [4].
• Buds, joints, roaches, and vape products — including discarded roaches picked up on walks, a surprisingly common source [1].
• Concentrated products — THC butter, oils, tinctures, and dabs pack far more THC per bite than dried plant material [2].
• Secondhand smoke — inhaling smoke in an enclosed space can cause milder signs [4].

Dogs are actually more sensitive to THC than people, because they have more cannabinoid receptors in their brains — so an amount that would barely affect a person can noticeably affect a dog [6].

Why Edibles Are Especially Dangerous (the "double toxin" problem)

Many edibles are made with ingredients that are themselves poisonous to dogs. A cannabis brownie may also contain chocolate; sugar-free products often contain xylitol; and baked goods can include raisins — all three are separately toxic to dogs [4][6]. A dog who eats a pot brownie needs treatment for cannabis and chocolate toxicity at the same time, which is why telling your vet exactly what the product contained is so important [4].

Signs of THC Toxicity in Dogs

The classic picture is a wobbly, "drunken," sedated dog. Signs typically begin 30 minutes to a few hours after eating it (sometimes longer for edibles, and within minutes if inhaled) and can last 12 to 24 hours or more — occasionally up to about 72 hours with a large dose [3][5]. Watch for:

• Wobbly, uncoordinated, "drunken" walking (a hallmark called static ataxia) [1]
• Dribbling or leaking urine / urinary incontinence — one of the most telling signs [1][3]
• Dilated pupils and a glassy, glazed-over, "star-gazing" stare [1][5]
• Startle sensitivity — over-reacting to sound, touch, or light (hyperesthesia) [3][5]
• Excessive drooling, lethargy or sedation, and a dazed expression [5]
• Slow heart rate and low body temperature [1]
• In more severe cases: agitation, vomiting, tremors, seizures, or coma [2][4]

How Much Is Dangerous?

There is no single "safe" amount, and dogs vary a lot [6]. As a general rule, dogs may show mild signs after a relatively small ingestion, with more serious effects as the dose climbs [2]. The most important factor is potency and form: a few crumbs of dried plant material is very different from a high-THC edible, butter, or concentrate, which deliver a much larger dose in a small bite [2]. Reassuringly, fatal cases are extremely rare — the two published canine fatality cases involved baked goods made with marijuana butter, though the cause of death was not reported, which is why concentrated edibles warrant extra caution [2].

What to Do Right Now

1. Remove any remaining product so your dog can't eat more, and note (or photograph) the packaging — the THC amount and any chocolate/xylitol content guide treatment [4].
2. Call for expert guidance immediately. Contact your veterinarian, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 [1] or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 [5] (a per-incident consultation fee applies). Both are staffed 24/7.
3. Do NOT induce vomiting at home once your dog is wobbly, sedated, or showing any signs — a sedated dog can inhale the vomit (aspiration), which is dangerous. Only induce vomiting if a professional specifically tells you to [3].
4. Be 100% honest. Tell your vet exactly what your dog ate, how much, and what form. Vets are focused on your pet's health — they are not there to report you — and the truth lets them treat faster.
5. Keep your dog safe and calm — confine them somewhere padded and quiet so they can't stumble down stairs or hurt themselves [5].

What the Vet May Do

There is no specific antidote for THC, so treatment is supportive and aimed at keeping your dog comfortable and stable while the drug clears [3][5]. Depending on severity, that may include:

• IV fluids to support hydration and circulation [3]
• Anti-nausea (anti-emetic) medication to reduce vomiting and fluid loss [5]
• Temperature support and monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure [5]
• A quiet, padded space to prevent injury while wobbly [5]
• Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) for severe cases — a fatty IV solution that helps "mop up" fat-soluble THC when a dog is responding poorly to standard care [2][3]
• Activated charcoal in select early cases — but this is generally avoided once a dog is already sedated, again because of aspiration risk [3]

When to See a Vet

Any known or suspected marijuana ingestion is worth a call to your vet or a poison helpline. Seek in-person emergency care right away if your dog:

• Ate an edible, especially one that may contain chocolate, xylitol, or raisins, or got into a concentrate, butter, or oil [4]
• Is very sedated, unresponsive, or you can't rouse them normally [2]
• Has tremors, seizures, or collapses [4]
• Is vomiting repeatedly, or is so wobbly they cannot stand or keep down water [5]
• Is a puppy, a small dog, a senior, or has other health problems — smaller and more fragile dogs are more vulnerable

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a weed high last in dogs?

Signs usually begin within 30 minutes to a few hours of eating marijuana and commonly last about 12 to 24 hours. With a large dose or a concentrated edible, effects can persist for up to roughly 72 hours [3][5].

Can a dog die from eating weed?

It is possible but genuinely rare. Most dogs recover fully with supportive care, and marijuana intoxication is seldom fatal. The two published canine fatality cases involved baked goods made with marijuana butter, though the cause of death was not reported, which is why concentrated edibles warrant extra caution [2][4].

Should I tell my vet the truth if my dog ate marijuana?

Yes — absolutely. Your veterinarian's job is to help your pet, not to judge you or report you to anyone. Being upfront about the type, form, and amount your dog ate lets them start the right treatment faster, especially if the product also contained chocolate or xylitol.

Should I make my dog throw up at home?

No — not once your dog is wobbly, drowsy, or showing any signs. A sedated dog can inhale vomit into the lungs (aspiration), which is dangerous. Call your vet or a poison helpline first and only induce vomiting if a professional tells you to [3].

Can secondhand smoke get my dog high?

Yes. Dogs exposed to marijuana smoke in an enclosed space can develop milder signs of intoxication, so it's best to keep pets out of rooms where cannabis is being smoked [4].

Why is my dog dribbling urine after eating weed?

Urinary dribbling or incontinence is one of the most characteristic signs of THC toxicity in dogs and, combined with a wobbly, glassy-eyed appearance, often helps vets recognize marijuana exposure [1][3].

My dog only ate a tiny bit — do I still need to worry?

It's still worth a call. There's no established "safe" dose, dogs are more sensitive to THC than people, and edibles are far more potent than dried plant material. A quick call to your vet or a poison helpline will tell you whether monitoring at home is enough or a visit is needed [5][6].

How will the vet know it was marijuana?

Vets usually diagnose based on the classic signs (wobbliness, dribbling urine, dilated pupils, startle sensitivity) plus your history — which is why honesty helps so much. Human urine drug tests are unreliable in dogs and frequently give false negatives, so your account is often more useful than a test [2][3].

References

1. ASPCA. "Marijuana Safety in Pets." https://www.aspca.org/news/marijuana-safety-pets
2. Merck Veterinary Manual. "Toxicosis in Dogs and Cats From Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)." https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/toxicoses-from-human-recreational-drugs/toxicosis-in-dogs-and-cats-from-tetrahydrocannabinol-thc
3. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. "Cannabis (THC) intoxication in dogs." https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/Cannabis-THC-intoxication-in-dogs
4. VCA Animal Hospitals. "Cannabis (Marijuana) Intoxication in Cats and Dogs." https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/marijuana-intoxication-in-dogs-and-cats
5. Pet Poison Helpline. "Marijuana Is Toxic To Pets." https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-safety-tips/marijuana-toxicity-pets/
6. PetMD. "My Dog Ate Weed. Now What? Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs" (reviewed by Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT). https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/cannabis-toxicity-in-dogs