Cannabis and Pets
Cannabis is more available than ever and in a wide variety of formats. The cannabinoids in cannabis are used for both medical and recreational purposes. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a compound found in many strains of cannabis and is largely responsible for its psychoactive effects.
THC can prove to have harmful consequences for an animal. Although pets don’t smoke, they can be affected by secondhand smoke. More often, the most common way for pets to become intoxicated is by eating edibles such as baked goods, candy, chocolate bars, chips, and other food products that contain cannabis. Ingesting cannabis plant parts directly can also result in intoxication, including any form of marijuana, such as oils and tinctures.
What Might Be the Consequences?
Depending on how much was consumed and other medications present, the results can be hazardous and sometimes fatal. Make sure that you store cannabis and other substances or medications meant for your personal consumption out of the reach of both children and pets.
Dogs and cats have a much higher number of cannabinoid receptors located in their brains and throughout their bodies, significantly more than humans. This sensitive network gives them a heightened ability to respond to the various compounds present in cannabis, including the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. However, because of this increased sensitivity, they can become overwhelmed by even a small amount of THC when it enters their systems.
The effects can be quite severe; they may experience confusion or agitation, difficulty walking, vomiting, sleepiness or dizziness, and unresponsiveness – all signs that medical attention is needed immediately.
What is the average recovery time?
The prognosis for canines is generally positive. With the right medical treatment, most dogs can expect to make a full recovery with no long-term repercussions. Typically, this will take place within 24-36 hours, although it may take as long as 72 hours, depending on the amount ingested.
For cats, the severity of reactions to THC can vary greatly from one individual to the next. While most animals typically experience a full recovery within just a few days, older cats could take longer to recover. Proper hydration can help speed up recovery times and ensure that further issues do not arise. It is important to monitor the cat’s eating and drinking habits and ensure that they get adequate nutrition to return to full health as quickly as possible.
What to Do if You Notice Any Significant Change in Behavior
Contact your veterinarian or animal hospital immediately if you notice any vomiting, diarrhea, agitation or restlessness, changes in appetite or water consumption, trembling or seizures, or any other unusual behaviour. They will guide you as to how to proceed.
Most cases turn out well if treated properly and quickly enough after ingestion. Always take precautions when dealing with these types of drugs—and never administer them to animals without a veterinarian’s approval first.
How Toxic Is It?
Cannabis is generally considered a highly safe substance for humans, but when it comes to our furry friends, it can be a different story. Depending on factors like age, health status, and body size, even small amounts of cannabis can create toxicity in pets. Thus, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to pet safety and cannabis consumption.
The Best Info Comes from Canna Wholesalers
There is probably no more important service we can provide to you than providing you with good and accurate advice and information. The more informed you are, the better you’ll be prepared to proceed properly. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced, so they can help guide you in the right direction.
We also guarantee unbeatable prices on the highest quality products so you can find the perfect strain for your needs. We provide our customers with exceptional service at every step of their journey with us– from choosing a strain to learning more about it– so you will always feel confident when shopping with us here at Canna Wholesalers.