DO NOT MIX MARIJUANA WITH ANIMALS.

DO NOT MIX MARIJUANA WITH ANIMALS.

The same is true for dogs and horses, as well as cats. Many substances that are considered safe for human consumption can be harmful to animals because of their distinct metabolic pathways. Some examples are aspirin, ibuprofen, macadamia nuts, chocolate, raisins, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener).

THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in marijuana that causes intoxication in humans, is poisonous to disciplining a cat. More than 500 chemical compounds and 100 cannabinoids have been found in marijuana (cannabis) plants. However, THC and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most well-known and studied cannabinoid chemicals in marijuana. Plants can have drastically different concentrations of THC and CBD. CBD has no intoxicating effects and is often considered to be non-toxic or minimally harmful. More information on the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of CBD in pets has become available in recent studies. However, there is still some risk involved in utilizing CBD products for disciplining a cat, as even goods claiming to contain purely CBD might be tainted with THC.

Edibles containing THC derived from marijuana are often prepared by cooking the plant in fat such as oil or butter. Therefore, these items provide a larger danger of harming dogs because they typically contain more THC than plant material (buds, leaves, and stems). They may also contain chocolate or other things that could make an animal sick or cause it harm.

Animals who are exposed to THC, whether by mistake or on purpose, are not merely inebriated; they are also poisonous. They can't just go to bed and "sleep it off." A vet should be consulted for an assessment and/or palliative care.

THC POISONING SYMPTOMS: WATCH OUT FOR THESE

Inactivity, incoordination, dilated pupils, heightened sensitivity to motion, sound, or touch, hypersalivation, and urine incontinence are some of the symptoms that pet owners may observe after their animals ingest or inhale THC (even second-hand smoke can affect pets). Depressed central nervous system function and unusually slow heart rate can be detected during a veterinary examination. Anxiety, hostility, shallow breathing, low blood pressure, a racing heart rate, and rapid, involuntary eye movements are some of the less prevalent symptoms. Seizures and comas are quite unusual in animals. Rarely does anyone die. Depending on how much THC the animal was exposed to, the effects could last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Many of the frequent indicators of THC poisoning are identical to the signs of antifreeze poisoning, which is extremely deadly, so animals exhibiting these symptoms should be taken to the doctor as soon as possible. Antifreeze poisoning is nearly always lethal if intensive treatment is not administered within the first few hours after ingestion.