Is Marijuana / Cannabis (including Edibles) Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Marijuana is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — THC causes wobbliness, dribbling urine, and lethargy; edibles add chocolate or xylitol risk. Be honest with your vet.
Can cause real harm — call a vet for guidance.
Can cause real harm — call a vet for guidance.
In an emergency, do not wait.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for general information only and isnot a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Toxicity depends on the amount, your pet’s size, and health history. If your pet may have ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian or a poison control hotline ((888) 426-4435 / (855) 764-7661) immediately — do not wait for symptoms to appear.
What is Marijuana / Cannabis (including Edibles)?
Marijuana is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs — THC causes wobbliness, dribbling urine, and lethargy; edibles add chocolate or xylitol risk. Be honest with your vet.
Also known as: weed, thc, cannabis, edibles, gummies, pot, marihuana, hemp, cbd oil, marijuana butter, weed brownies.
Symptoms to Watch For
🐕 In Dogs
- Wobbliness, stumbling, and dilated pupils within 30 minutes to a few hours
- Urinary incontinence (dribbling urine) — a hallmark sign
- Lethargy, glassy eyes, and exaggerated startle response
- Vomiting, low heart rate, and low body temperature
- Seizures and coma in large doses (especially edibles and concentrates)
🐈 In Cats
- Wobbliness, lethargy, and dilated pupils
- Drooling and vomiting
- Unusual vocalization or hiding
- Seizures and unresponsiveness in large doses
What to Do If Ingested
- Call a veterinarian or poison hotline — be honest about what was eaten; vets are not required to report and need the truth to treat.
- Note the form (plant, edible, concentrate), approximate amount, and whether it contained chocolate or xylitol.
- Keep the dog warm and quiet — THC lowers body temperature.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian instructs you to.
Steps apply to both cats and dogs. When in doubt, call a vet or poison hotline before acting. Have a cat? Run the Pet Poison Triage Wizard for cat-specific steps.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline right away if you notice any of these:
- Any amount was eaten — especially edibles, butter, or concentrates
- Wobbliness, dribbling urine, or glassy eyes
- Seizures, vomiting, or unresponsiveness — emergency
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cannabis more dangerous to pets than to people?
Pets metabolize THC differently and dose far out of proportion to their weight — a brownie made for a 150 lb adult is a massive dose for a 15 lb dog. Dogs also absorb THC more completely from edible fats and butter, and they will eat the plant or product eagerly rather than cautiously. Most cases recover with supportive care, but severe ingestions cause seizures and coma.
My dog ate an edible gummy. What extra risks come with edibles?
The carrier matters as much as the THC. Cannabis edibles routinely contain chocolate (see our chocolate page), xylitol-sweetened gummies (severely toxic to dogs), or high-fat butter that can trigger pancreatitis. Tell the vet the exact product — the chocolate or xylitol component can be more dangerous than the THC itself.
Is CBD oil the same thing?
No — CBD is not intoxicating like THC and is generally well tolerated in dogs and cats, though it can cause mild drowsiness or diarrhea and some products are contaminated with more THC than labeled. The emergency applies to THC-containing products (flower, edibles, concentrates). If you use CBD, buy pet products with a certificate of analysis and start with vet-approved dosing.
Sources
This entry is reviewed against the following authoritative veterinary sources.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-16