What happens if you give a dog weed brownies?

Although it may not sound possible, a dog consuming weed is more common than you may think. Unfortunately, in some instances, if marijuana is not stored safely away from the reach of pets, it can become a health risk for those pets who like to eat everything they find. Because of this, it’s important to know if your dog ate weed and what you should do if this situation occurs.

What to Do if Your Dog Ate Weed

If your dog eats weed, first of all, don’t panic. There are a few steps you can take to help care for your dog properly in the event of this type of accident. Read through the article below to find out more and to get some advice for what to do in this situation.

Below are 4 things you should do in the event that your dog ate weed:

Determine the Type of Marijuana Consumed 

First, it’s important to figure out what type of marijuana your dog has eaten. This will be vital information to share with the veterinarian who’s caring for your pet.

Marijuana Buds

If your dog ate straight buds, this is more dangerous than consuming the leaves of the marijuana plant.  

Marijuana Leaves 

Oil and butter made from marijuana leaves contains much higher levels of THC than other types, so these are even more dangerous for your pet.

Keep in mind that CBD is not the same thing as THC. It is safe for dogs to consume a vet-approved quantity of CBD without any risk. THC is the component in marijuana that makes it more dangerous for dogs.

Consider Other Ingredients

If your dog consumed an edible, it’s very important to look at the list of ingredients (or the recipe used) to determine other potential hazards in the product.

Many edibles, like pot brownies, contain a lot of chocolate. Chocolate is more dangerous for your dog than THC, so if he eats a pot brownie, he needs to go to the emergency vet right away.

There may be other ingredients present in other types of edibles that can be harmful to your dog, too. For example, some gummies and other candy versions of edibles may contain Xylitol, which is potentially fatal to dogs.

Watch for Symptoms of Weed Toxicity in Dogs

Another thing you should do if your dog ate weed is to keep an eye out for any symptoms of weed toxicity. This is a very serious condition in dogs, so if you notice any of the signs mentioned below you should seek immediate veterinary care for your pet.

Symptoms of weed poisoning in dogs include, but may not be limited to:

• Loss of coordination 
• Inability to control urine
• Vomiting 
• Dilated pupils
• Low or high body temperature
• Irregular heart rate 
• Depression or hyperesthesia, and in severe cases seizures

If your dog has an irregular heart rate or if he starts vomiting a lot, it’s time to go to the emergency vet. These are signs that the weed toxicity has worsened, and it may reach dangerous levels if you don’t respond quickly. If your dog has a seizure, this is an even more serious emergency.

Go to the Vet

Even if it is embarrassing, take your dog to the vet after he consumes marijuana. You may feel nervous about telling the veterinarian what happened, but keep in mind that they will not share this information with law enforcement. Additionally, the vet isn’t there to judge you; they just want to help your dog recover from this situation.

All dogs that have ingested marijuana need to have their vitals evaluated by a vet. If your primary veterinarian is unavailable, you need to take your dog to the emergency vet immediately.

Expect Pet Hospitalization if Your Dog Ate Weed

If your dog is suffering from moderate to severe symptoms of weed toxicity, or if you know that your dog ate weed, understand that he may be hospitalized or kept at the vet’s office for a while to monitor his condition. He may also need IV fluids and could need to have his heart rate regulated while he is there.

Even though dogs may need to be temporarily hospitalized for treatment if he ate weed, keep in mind that the condition is not usually fatal. Only if a dog consumes an excessively high amount of marijuana, or if it contains a lot of chocolate or even a small amount of Xylitol, is there a risk of death.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Weed

Your vet will likely give you instructions on preventing further instances of marijuana consumption by your dog. The vet may tell you how to store marijuana properly and to always be sure your dog is kept away from all forms of marijuana in your home.

By taking time to store your marijuana properly and put away any edibles when you are finished with them, you can help keep your dog safer. The less access your dog has to marijuana of any kind, the less likely he will be to eat it in the future.

Come to VEG if Your Dog Ate Weed

By following this guide, you can take care of your dog after accidental ingestion of marijuana. Your dog’s health and wellness should always be top priority. If you experience this situation with your pet, it’s extremely important to take them to the vet or emergency vet as soon as possible for treatment.

Additionally, make sure you do not ever feed your dog marijuana on purpose. This is not funny, and it can be extremely dangerous for your pet. Always be a responsible pet owner and give your dog the safest environment possible.

At VEG, we care about your dog’s health and are prepared to handle any emergency situation. Most of our locations are open 24/7 and our emergency veterinarians are ready to give your pet the immediate attention that they deserve. If your dog ate weed, don’t hesitate to contact our team, we are here to help. 

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The only thing better than a trip to the beach is a trip to the beach with your pup! If you’re planning an excursion with your four-legged family member, check out our 7 dog beach tips to increase their safety (without taking away the fun). While it might seem silly to expect any dangers at the beach of all places, there are a few things that could put your dog’s health at risk.

We’ll discuss those risks below, and provide some helpful dog beach tips to minimize those risks. Read on to make your dog’s day at the beach the best one ever!

Common Hazards for Dogs at the Beach

Before discussing the best dog beach tips to help keep them safe, it’s important that you’re made aware of some of the dangers that can be present at the beach. The following beach hazards can be easily taken for granted. Keep them in mind when you’re planning a beach trip with your canine!

Hot Sun

A hot, sunny day is the best kind of day for the beach, but it also puts your pet at risk for heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburn. Dogs that are overweight and dogs with flat noses (like English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Frenchies) are especially prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Hot Sand

Hot sand can severely burn your pet’s paw pads. Walking on hot sand can also raise your pet’s body temperature and put them at risk for heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Sharp Objects in the Sand

Depending on the beach you go to, the sand might be concealing some sharp objects, such as stones, shells, glass, and/or twigs.

Eating Sand

Some dogs just like to eat everything. If your pup often acts like a furry vacuum cleaner, they might try to eat the sand, which can become impacted in their intestines.  

Dehydration

Unless your pet has fresh water available to them while they’re at the beach, they could be at risk for dehydration. Hot sun, hot sand, and no water to drink can quickly lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Strong Currents

Your dog might be a champion swimmer, but even they could be at risk for drowning if they encounter a strong current. Rip currents are especially dangerous, for animals and humans alike.

7 Dog Beach Tips to Protect Your Pup

You know the risks. Now, here’s what you can do to make your pet’s day at the beach as safe and enjoyable as possible! Review these dog beach tips and plan your excursion accordingly!

7 dog beach tips to keep in mind include:

1. Bring Along Plenty of Fresh Water

Think about how long you and your pet will be hanging out at the beach, and bring enough fresh water to sustain you both for the duration (and then some, if you decide to stay longer). Your dog needs to stay hydrated—and ocean or lake water is unsafe for their consumption.

2. Invest in Pet-Friendly Sunscreen

That’s right—dogs benefit from sunscreen, too, especially if they have light, fine fur and pinkish skin. Sunburn can affect your pup’s nose, ears, and other areas where hair is sparse.

3. Have a Source of Shade Available for Your Pup

Another dog beach tip to consider is to make sure that there are areas of shade for your dog to go into in order to help escape the sun.

Dogs can overheat quickly on a warm day, and at the beach, the sun’s heat is amplified. Help your pup stay cool by bringing along a large umbrella, or make sure to find a place under an awning or tree where your pet can get a break from the sun.

4. Keep Your Dog Leashed (If Required)

Does your beach have leash rules? Make sure to follow them. Unleashed pets can cause trouble, especially if there are lots of people and other dogs around. Plus, being leashed can prevent your dog from potentially being attacked by another dog or stealing sweets from someone’s picnic.

Also, keeping your pet leashed can prevent them from running into the water and possibly swimming out into strong currents.

5. Bring a Life Jacket for Your Pet

If the beach you’re visiting allows dogs in the water, one of the most important dog beach tips is to make sure your pet has a lifejacket (in their size). Even natural swimmers like Labradors can be at risk of drowning, so be sure to suit up your pup before they dive in, and stick with them to keep them safe.  

6. Know the Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke can affect dogs even under conditions milder than a typical summer’s day. Overexertion and insufficient water intake can quickly overwhelm your pet.

If you see any of these signs, your pup might be in danger of dog heatstroke and they should see a vet or emergency vet as soon as possible:

• Drooling (and saliva is thick and heavy)
• Panting heavily (a sign your pet is trying hard to cool off)
• Acting disoriented and confused
• Lethargic, weak
• Collapsing, unable to stand
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate

7. Protect Your Pet’s Feet with Booties

And now for our last (but no less important) dog beach tip! If your pup is likely to encounter hot sand or sharp objects at the beach, get dog booties in their size to protect their paws from cuts and burns. Consider trying them out before your beach excursion to make sure they fit, and to help your dog get comfortable with them.

Need More Dog Beach Tips? 

Veterinary Emergency Group is always happy to answer questions and help pet parents be amazing caregivers to their canines. We hope our dog beach tips come in handy when you start making your summer plans, but if you need more information, feel free to contact the VEG location nearest you! Our locations are open 24/7 for your convenience, and an emergency vet will always be there to answer your call and your questions.