If your dog got into marijuana, the most important thing to know is that THC intoxication in dogs is almost never fatal and most dogs recover fully within one to two days. There’s no antidote that instantly reverses the high, but there are concrete steps you can take right now to keep your dog safe and comfortable while the THC works its way out of their system.
What THC Does to Dogs
Dogs are far more sensitive to THC than humans. They have a higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors in their brains, which means even a small amount of marijuana can produce dramatic effects. Signs typically appear within 30 minutes to several hours after ingestion and can include wobbling or loss of coordination, dilated pupils, dribbling urine, exaggerated startle responses, lethargy, and sometimes vomiting. Some dogs become extremely sedated and unresponsive. Others get agitated or seem disoriented. These signs can look alarming, but they are self-limiting, meaning they resolve on their own as the dog metabolizes the drug.
Dogs eliminate about 80% of THC within five days, but the worst of the clinical signs typically pass well before that. Most cases clear up in 24 to 48 hours. Severe exposures, especially from concentrated edibles, can stretch symptoms out to about 72 hours.
What to Do Right Now
Start by keeping your dog in a safe, quiet, dimly lit space. A stoned dog has impaired coordination and depth perception, so block off stairs, remove anything they could knock over, and keep them away from water they could fall into (pools, bathtubs, even large water bowls if they’re very uncoordinated). Reducing noise and stimulation helps minimize anxiety and disorientation.
Do not try to induce vomiting at home. THC has a strong anti-nausea effect, so home vomiting methods rarely work and can cause additional problems. More importantly, if your dog is already showing signs of intoxication, like wobbling or heavy sedation, vomiting carries a real risk of aspiration, where vomit enters the lungs. Vomiting is only safe if done very early after ingestion, before any symptoms appear, and ideally under veterinary supervision.
Keep fresh water available. Some dogs will drink on their own; others won’t. Don’t force water into their mouth, as a sedated dog can choke. If they’re alert enough to lap water, let them. If they urinate on themselves (involuntary urine dribbling is common), clean them up gently to prevent skin irritation.
When the Situation Needs a Vet
A mildly stoned dog that’s wobbly but responsive and breathing normally can often ride it out at home. But certain signs mean you should get to a veterinarian:
- Severe sedation: your dog is unresponsive or you can’t rouse them at all
- Tremors or seizures: muscle twitching that goes beyond simple wobbling
- Breathing changes: a resting breathing rate above 35 breaths per minute, open-mouth breathing, or visible effort in the abdomen with each breath
- Vomiting while sedated: this creates an aspiration risk
- Very small dog or very large dose: a Chihuahua that ate half a pot brownie is in a different situation than a Labrador that chewed a joint
To check your dog’s breathing rate, count the number of chest rises in 15 seconds and multiply by four. A normal resting rate is roughly 12 to 35 breaths per minute. If you’re seeing rates above 35 to 40 with visible belly effort, that warrants emergency attention.
What the Vet Can Do
There is no drug that reverses a THC high in dogs. Veterinary treatment is supportive, meaning the goal is to manage symptoms and prevent complications while the drug clears naturally. Depending on the severity, this can include IV fluids to support blood pressure and hydration, anti-nausea medication, temperature regulation (intoxicated dogs can become hypothermic), and monitoring of heart rate and breathing.
If the ingestion was very recent and the dog is still acting normal, a vet may induce vomiting with a prescription medication that works more reliably and safely than home methods. They may also administer activated charcoal, which binds to THC in the gut and reduces how much gets absorbed into the bloodstream. This is most effective when given soon after ingestion, before the drug has fully entered the system.
In cases involving large doses, particularly from edibles, some veterinary hospitals use intravenous fat-based solutions. Because THC dissolves in fat, these solutions can help pull it out of circulation faster. This treatment is typically reserved for severe cases.
Why Edibles Are More Dangerous
Edibles pose a greater risk than dried flower for two reasons. First, they contain concentrated THC, often many times what’s found in raw plant material. Second, they usually contain butter, oil, chocolate, or xylitol (an artificial sweetener), all of which are independently toxic to dogs. A dog that eats a marijuana brownie isn’t just dealing with THC. It’s also dealing with chocolate toxicity or fat overload that can trigger pancreatitis.
If your dog ate an edible, tell your vet exactly what was in it. The THC component may be manageable, but the chocolate or xylitol could be the more urgent threat. Don’t hold back details out of embarrassment. Veterinarians see THC cases routinely and their only concern is treating your dog.
The Recovery Timeline
Most dogs follow a predictable pattern. The first few hours tend to be the worst: heavy sedation or agitation, significant wobbling, and sometimes urine dribbling. Over the next 12 to 24 hours, you’ll see gradual improvement. The wobbling decreases, they become more alert, and they start showing interest in food and water again. By 24 to 48 hours, the majority of dogs are back to normal.
Severe cases, particularly from high-dose edibles, can take up to 72 hours for full resolution. During recovery, your dog may seem “off” for a day or two even after the obvious signs fade. Slightly reduced appetite, mild lethargy, or loose stools are common in the tail end of recovery and not cause for alarm on their own.
How to Monitor at Home
If you’re riding it out at home with a mildly affected dog, check on them every 30 to 60 minutes. Here’s what to watch:
- Breathing: count breaths per minute. Under 35 at rest is normal. Labored breathing with abdominal effort or open-mouth breathing is not.
- Responsiveness: your dog should react when you say their name or touch them, even if the response is sluggish. Complete unresponsiveness is a red flag.
- Temperature: if your dog feels cold to the touch, especially at the ears and paws, wrap them in a blanket. THC can lower body temperature.
- Gum color: lift your dog’s lip and look at their gums. They should be pink. Pale, white, blue, or bright red gums indicate a circulation problem that needs veterinary attention.
Keep your dog on a surface that’s easy to clean, as urine accidents and occasional vomiting are common. A bathroom or laundry room with their bed and a towel works well. Stay nearby so they can hear and smell you, which helps reduce anxiety in a disoriented animal.
Preventing It From Happening Again
Dogs don’t learn to avoid marijuana after a bad experience. In fact, many dogs seem to be attracted to the smell of cannabis, and edibles are essentially treats as far as your dog is concerned. Store all marijuana products, including flower, edibles, vape cartridges, and butter, in sealed, dog-proof containers placed well out of reach. Be especially careful with purses, backpacks, and jacket pockets left on the floor. Discarded joints and roaches on walks are another common source of exposure, so watch what your dog picks up on the ground.