My dog ate marijuana — how bad is it?
Enter your dog weight + product type + amount ingested. The calculator returns the THC dose in mg/kg and the severity band. Honesty with the vet is critical — vets are not mandated reporters and withholding the truth wastes treatment time.
Not sure what your dog ate? Start at the "my dog ate ___" triage hub →
Dose (mg/kg) = total_THC_mg / dog_weight_kg Severity: <2 mg/kg subclinical · 2-9 moderate (ataxia, incontinence, hyperesthesia) · 9-15 severe (seizures) · >15 critical (coma, respiratory depression).
Enter your dog weight, the product type, and how much was ingested.
Severity: — · —
If the product also contained chocolate (brownies, cookies), compute the methylxanthine load separately at /dog-chocolate-toxicity-calculator.
The THC toxicity syndrome in dogs
Dogs have a much higher density of CB1 receptors in the cerebellum and brainstem than humans, which is why even modest THC doses produce dramatic ataxia, hyperesthesia (exaggerated startle response to sound and touch), and urinary incontinence — three signs that are nearly pathognomonic for marijuana exposure when seen together. The classic textbook presentation is: a dog who is sedate but startles violently at any sound, dribbles urine while standing or walking, and is unsteady on her feet.
Cannabis exposures have risen dramatically with legalization. ASPCA APCC reported a 765% increase in marijuana- related calls between 2018 and 2023. The dominant exposure routes: dropped edibles (especially gummies and chocolates), dropped joints or roaches, dogs eating discarded blunt ends on walks, and accidental ingestion of owner-administered "treats."
Toxicity thresholds in mg/kg
| Dose (mg/kg) | Expected effect | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | Subclinical — possibly mild ataxia or drowsiness, often unnoticed. | Hotline call. Usually monitor at home. |
| 2-9 | Moderate — pronounced ataxia, vomiting, urinary incontinence, hyperesthesia, hypothermia, bradycardia. | Vet visit. Activated charcoal + IV fluids + thermoregulation. 12-24h monitoring. |
| 9-15 | Severe — vocalization, agitation, tremors, seizures, hypotension. | ER + 24-48h hospitalization. Intralipid emulsion + sedation. |
| > 15 | Critical — coma, respiratory depression, hyperthermia. | ICU + intubation if needed. Prognosis good with prompt care. |
Thresholds from ASPCA APCC reference data + Pet Poison Helpline case logs. Lethal dose in dogs reported around 3 g/kg of high-THC product (Meola et al., J Vet Emerg Crit Care, 2012). Most clinical exposures, even severe-band ones, recover completely with supportive care.
Common scenarios + dose math
- 5 kg dog, one 10 mg edible gummy: 2 mg/kg — borderline moderate. Vet visit.
- 10 kg dog, one 25 mg high-THC chocolate edible: 2.5 mg/kg THC + additional chocolate toxicity (methylxanthines). Call vet on both fronts.
- 20 kg dog, half a joint (~0.25g, 15% THC): 37.5 mg THC ÷ 20 kg = 1.9 mg/kg. Subclinical-borderline.
- 5 kg dog, one full pot brownie (~50 mg THC + dark chocolate): 10 mg/kg THC = severe; chocolate load adds emergency layer. ER.
- 20 kg dog, one 0.5g concentrate / dab (~350 mg THC): 17.5 mg/kg — critical band. Immediate ER. Concentrates are the highest-risk product category by far.
- 30 kg dog ate a 100mg edible package (10 × 10mg gummies, palatable): 3.3 mg/kg — moderate band. Vet visit.
What treatment looks like
Mild-to-moderate exposures (2-9 mg/kg): activated charcoal if the dog is alert and ingestion was recent; IV fluids for hydration; anti-nausea medication; thermoregulation (warming blankets — dogs typically run cool from THC). The dog stays at the clinic 6-12 hours under observation, then goes home with a "stay quiet, no stairs" instruction.
Severe exposures (9-15 mg/kg) or critical (>15 mg/kg): all of the above plus intralipid emulsion therapy — IV-administered lipid binds circulating THC (which is highly fat-soluble) and accelerates clearance from the central nervous system. This treatment dropped severe-case recovery time from 24-48 hours to 4-12 hours when introduced in the 2010s. Anti-seizure medication (diazepam, levetiracetam) for tremor-or- seizure cases. Intubation + mechanical ventilation in the rare respiratory-depression scenarios.
Cost: $200-800 USD for uncomplicated moderate cases caught early; $1,500-4,000 USD for severe cases requiring intralipid + 24-hour ICU. Lethal outcomes are rare; most "my dog ate a lot of weed" stories end with the dog recovering completely within 12-48 hours.
Honesty with the vet matters
Veterinarians are not mandated reporters of marijuana exposures. Withholding the truth wastes diagnostic time — the vet may order an MRI, CSF tap, or blood-glucose curve to rule out alternatives that THC alone can produce. Honest disclosure shortens treatment time by hours and saves you money. ASPCA APCC and Pet Poison Helpline are similarly confidential.
Even in US states where marijuana is still illegal, vet-client privilege applies. The vet's only obligation is to the animal patient. Just say "my dog ate a joint" or "my dog ate an edible" — the protocol is the same regardless of legality.
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — marijuana toxicity protocols + 2018-2023 case data. Pet Poison Helpline — THC clinical reference. Merck Veterinary Manual — Marijuana toxicosis in animals. Meola SD et al. Evaluation of trends in marijuana toxicosis in dogs living in a state with legalized medical marijuana. J Vet Emerg Crit Care, 2012;22(6):690-696. Janczyk P, Donaldson CW, Gwaltney S. Two hundred and fifty dogs with marijuana toxicosis. Vet Hum Toxicol, 2004;46(1):19-21. US-baseline sources; UK + AU + NZ exposures are increasing post-legalization in those markets too.
Dog + marijuana — frequently asked
How much THC is toxic to a dog?
Dogs show clinical signs above 2 mg/kg of THC. Below 2 mg/kg is generally subclinical but worth a hotline call. 2-9 mg/kg causes pronounced ataxia, vomiting, urinary incontinence, startle response (hyperesthesia), hypothermia, bradycardia. 9-15 mg/kg brings vocalization, agitation, tremors, seizures, hypotension. Above 15 mg/kg risks coma, respiratory depression, hyperthermia — emergency stabilization needed. Lethal at ~3 g/kg of high-THC product (rare but documented).
My dog ate a pot brownie — what now?
Two toxins compound risk here: THC AND chocolate (methylxanthines). The chocolate dose alone can be the bigger emergency depending on type — dark or baker chocolate brownies push methylxanthine dose into the kidney-and-cardiac-injury band quickly. Calculate both: this calculator for the THC component, then the chocolate toxicity calculator for the methylxanthine load. Call a hotline regardless — ASPCA APCC (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661), both 24/7. Bring the packaging if available; edible-mg-of-THC varies enormously by brand.
Are edibles more dangerous than flower?
Yes, usually — for three reasons. (1) Concentration: a single 10 mg edible gummy in a 5 kg dog is 2 mg/kg, already past the clinical threshold; the same dog would need to eat ~7g of 15% THC flower for the same dose. (2) Co-toxicity: edibles often contain chocolate, sugar (which itself can trigger pancreatitis in some dogs), xylitol (in some brands — separately lethal at 100 mg/kg), and high-fat ingredients. (3) Palatability: dogs find sweet edibles palatable and tend to eat all of them, vs. flower which they often dislike the taste of and may stop after a small amount.
My dog seems sedated and is dribbling urine. Is this THC?
Classic textbook presentation. The combination of ataxia + sedation + urinary incontinence (dribbling) + hyperesthesia (exaggerated startle) is the THC syndrome in dogs. Other diagnoses match parts of this picture (intoxication with other CNS depressants, hypoglycemia, head trauma), but the four signs together — especially the dribbling urine + startle response — is highly specific for THC. Go to the vet immediately; honesty about marijuana exposure speeds treatment + does not result in legal consequences (vets are not mandated reporters of marijuana exposures, even in jurisdictions where marijuana remains illegal).
How is THC poisoning treated in dogs?
Treatment is supportive. Stage 1 (within 1-2 hours): induced vomiting if alert (under vet supervision); activated charcoal to bind unabsorbed THC. Stage 2 (most cases): IV fluids to maintain hydration + electrolytes; thermoregulation (warming pads for hypothermia or cooling for the rarer hyperthermia); anti-nausea medication; sedation if severe agitation. Stage 3 (severe cases, >9 mg/kg): intralipid emulsion therapy — THC is lipophilic, IV lipid binds circulating drug + accelerates clearance. ICU monitoring 12-48 hours. Prognosis is excellent at any dose with prompt supportive care — most dogs recover completely. Lethal outcomes are rare and almost always involve concentrated products (dabs/wax) at very high doses.
Will I get in legal trouble for telling the vet?
No. Veterinarians are not mandated reporters of marijuana exposures in the US — they have no legal obligation to inform police or anyone else. Vet-client privilege protects honest disclosure. ASPCA APCC and Pet Poison Helpline are similarly bound by confidentiality. Withholding the truth wastes diagnostic time + can delay the right treatment: many "my dog is acting weird" presentations get worked up for hours before the owner finally mentions the joint. Just say "my dog ate cannabis" — the vet will know what to do.
What about CBD oil — is that safe?
CBD oil at low doses is generally safe for dogs, but two caveats. (1) Many "CBD" products on the consumer market contain measurable THC (often 0.3-3% — the legal hemp definition is "<0.3% THC by dry weight," which still adds up if a dog eats the whole bottle). Always verify the COA (certificate of analysis) for any product before giving it to a dog. (2) CBD has a wide therapeutic margin but is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system — it can interact with other medications (anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatories). Discuss with your vet before adding CBD to a dog already on prescription medications.
How do I prevent dogs from getting into marijuana?
Three practices cover the common exposure routes. (1) Store cannabis products in a closed, dog-inaccessible cabinet — not a coffee table, not a kitchen counter, not a nightstand. Most cannabis-toxicity cases come from "I left an edible on the counter / dropped a joint on the carpet / left my purse on the floor with a pre-roll in it." (2) Treat edibles with extra caution — they look and smell like normal food. Even a single piece of a 10mg gummy in a small dog is clinical. (3) Be specific with anyone who visits — many cases involve a friend or family member who left a product within reach. Including in your AirBnB rental if you list one.