The legalization of cannabis, especially edibles, means that even dogs now have easy access to the drug. However, their bodies don’t cope up well with THC (well, even ours too), the primary psychoactive compound that gives one a ‘high’.
If after a late night stroll, your dog starts to behave in a strange way, be sure to keep in mind that it may have discreetly consumed some form of cannabis (marijuana-infused product) while in the bushes.
What’s worse though is that dogs may even be attracted to human feces, which could be tainted by marijuana. This is, in fact, a cause of great concern in cities like San Francisco, where a noticeable number of people live on the streets.
The following are the symptoms that your dog will show if high:
- Dribbling Urine
- Wobbly movements – similar to a drunk person
- Low temperature
- A dazed look in their eyes
- Signs of nervousness
All these symptoms are of course because of the psychoactive THC. However, the relieving part is that it can’t kill a dog; neither can it lead to liver or renal failure.
The worst thing that can happen to a ‘high’ dog is that marijuana can sedate a dog so bad that they end up inhaling their own vomit, which could be lethal.
A Colorado study, however, found that 2 dogs who had ingested chocolate cookies made with marijuana-infused butter had died; though, it’s unclear if it was from marijuana or its combination with chocolate – another potentially lethal toxin for your canine.
Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive element in cannabis, on the other hand, is apparently a dog’s friend as anecdotal evidence from a number of pet guardians suggests that the cannabinoid is an effective tool to treat pain and reduce the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures.
The research, however, is still in preliminary stages so there isn’t much scientific evidence to back these claims or study the side effects of CBD (if any) in dogs.
