Marijuana Poisoning in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and the Growing Risk From Edibles | Research

The takeaway

As marijuana decriminalization expanded, veterinary marijuana poisoning cases increased, with edibles containing concentrated medical-grade THC butter posing the greatest danger to dogs.

Read this if you have pets in a home where cannabis is used or stored.

Deaths reported from concentrated medical-grade THC butter ingestion in dogs

What the researchers found

The review documented the clinical picture of marijuana poisoning in companion animals, primarily dogs. Common signs included depression, hypersalivation, dilated pupils, hypermetria, vomiting, urinary incontinence, tremors, hypothermia, and bradycardia. Higher doses could cause nystagmus, agitation, rapid breathing, tachycardia, ataxia, and seizures.

While the minimum lethal oral dose for dogs is over 3 g/kg of THC (giving it a high safety margin), deaths had occurred from ingestion of food products containing concentrated medical-grade THC butter. Treatment was primarily supportive, with no specific antidote. The use of intralipid therapy to bind THC was emerging as a treatment strategy.

Why it matters

As cannabis becomes more accessible and concentrated products become more common, the risk to pets increases. Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they commonly ingest their owners' marijuana supply. The emergence of concentrated THC edibles creates a risk category that did not previously exist.

The numbers in context

Minimum lethal oral dose: >3 g/kg THC. Clinical onset: within 60 minutes of oral ingestion. 15% of THC excreted in urine, rest via feces. Two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 (CNS) and CB2 (peripheral). Deaths reported from concentrated THC butter products.

How the study worked

Narrative review of veterinary marijuana toxicology literature covering pharmacology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Included discussion of CB1 and CB2 receptor distribution in dogs, THC metabolism, and diagnostic testing limitations.

What this study cannot tell us

Mostly based on case reports and clinical experience rather than controlled studies. Human urine drug tests for cannabinoids are unreliable in dogs. The lethal dose data comes from limited historical studies. Treatment recommendations were largely empirical.

How to read the evidence

Clinical review of veterinary toxicology; moderate evidence for presentation and management.

When this study was published

Published in 2013. Pet marijuana poisoning cases have continued to increase alongside legalization.

The bigger picture

This review highlighted an under-discussed consequence of cannabis normalization: increased risk to household pets. The shift toward concentrated edibles particularly changes the risk calculus from a high-safety-margin plant to potentially lethal concentrated products.

Questions still open

Has the rate of pet marijuana poisoning continued to increase with legalization? Are concentrated edibles responsible for the most serious cases? Should cannabis packaging include pet safety warnings?

Common questions

Can marijuana kill a dog?

The plant material itself has a high safety margin (lethal dose over 3 g/kg THC), and most dogs recover fully. However, deaths have been reported from ingestion of concentrated THC products like medical-grade THC butter used in edibles. The risk depends heavily on the concentration of THC in the product consumed.

What should you do if your dog eats marijuana?

Seek veterinary care immediately. Common symptoms include lethargy, dilated pupils, loss of coordination, vomiting, and urinary incontinence. Treatment is primarily supportive (monitoring vital signs, IV fluids, sedation if needed). There is no specific antidote. Bring any packaging to help the vet assess the THC concentration involved.

Read the original research

Marijuana poisoning.

Topics in companion animal medicine, 28(1), 8-12

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Fitzgerald, Kevin T; Bronstein, Alvin C; Newquist, Kristin L. (2013). Marijuana poisoning.. Topics in companion animal medicine, 28(1), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2013.03.004