Emergency — phone the vet now Within hours

Dog has eaten cannabis or marijuana edibles

Wobbliness, dilated pupils, urinating uncontrollably, hypersensitivity to noise after suspected cannabis ingestion — phone the vet, be honest about what was eaten.

Dog

Recognise the signs

Wobbliness, ataxia
Dilated pupils
Hypersensitivity to noise (startle to sounds)
Urine dribbling/incontinence (classic sign)
Vomiting, drooling
Seizures, collapse in severe cases

First aid steps

Phone the vet immediately.
Be honest about what was eaten — vets do not report.
Bring packaging if available.

Do NOT

Do not lie or downplay — vets need accurate info to treat properly.
Do not delay due to embarrassment.
Do not assume CBD is safe — check THC content.

While transporting to the vet

Bring packaging.

When to phone the vet immediately

Edible with chocolate (double toxicity)
Severe wobbliness, seizures, unresponsive

Common causes

Edibles (often chocolate-based — double toxicity)
Cannabis flower, joints, cigarette ends
Hash, oils
CBD products with THC

What the vet will need to know

Product (flower, edible, oil), THC content if known
Amount
Time of ingestion
Other ingredients (chocolate, xylitol)

Aftercare

Supportive care — IV fluids, anti-emetics, anti-seizure if needed.
Most recover within 24-48 hours.
Edibles with chocolate or xylitol need additional treatment.

Prevention

Lock cannabis products away.
Brief guests.
Cigarette ends out of reach on walks (city dog risk).

Frequently asked questions

Will my vet report me?

No — vets focus on treating the dog. Honesty saves lives.

Is CBD safe for dogs?

Vet-formulated CBD without THC is increasingly available. Human CBD products often contain THC and other unsafe ingredients.

How long does it last?

12-24 hours typically. Severe cases longer with hospitalisation.