With more states allowing both medical and recreational marijuana, the risk of our pets coming into a stash is also on the rise. Marijuana has grown in popularity, with new types of marijuana being developed, including tinctures, oils, and meals. Our cats adore catnip, which acts as a sort of marijuana for a cat’s brain. However, if your cat consumes marijuana, it can have irreversible consequences.
How does cannabis affect cats and dogs?
The effects of cannabis, like those of other medicines, are based on chemistry. The drug is absorbed via the respiratory or digestive systems and binds to specific neuroreceptors in the brain, resulting in altered neurotransmitter function. THC interacts with norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine as neurotransmitters. In people and animals, there are two sorts of receptors. CB1 and CB2 are two cannabinoid receptors, one of which (CB1) affects the central nervous system and the other (CB2) affects peripheral tissues. Although many cannabinoid pharmacological mechanisms have yet to be discovered, it is thought that CB1 is responsible for most of cannabis’ effects.
The body has a limited capacity to store everything that enters it, and thus everything that enters must be eliminated. THC is highly lipophilic, meaning it may readily be stored in the fatty tissues of the liver, brain, and kidneys before being excreted from the body. The majority (65-90%) of THC is excreted through feces, with 10-35% removed by the kidneys. To reduce its impact, a drug must be broken down and eliminated via metabolism and excretion.
How toxic is cannabis?
THC is extremely forgiving to humans, but not all people and certainly not all pets follow the same course of intoxication. Because one pet’s exposure may be greater than another’s, there is no legal safe level of exposure. Variations in toxicity levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, health condition, and body size.
Fortunately, cannabis intoxication is not usually fatal. The average marijuana cigarette includes about 150 mg of THC. The minimal lethal oral dose of THC in pets is rather high; nevertheless, deaths have been reported after ingestion of meals made using highly concentrated cannabis, such as medical-grade THC. In fact, fatalities were uncommon until the development of medical-grade products.
Can Marijuana Kill My Cat?
The most harmful edibles for cats are medical-grade THC and edibles that include other poisons, such as chocolate.
According to Veterinary Centers of America, prior to the development of medical-grade marijuana products, marijuana-related deaths in pets were rare. However, with the growth in medical marijuana use, the figures have increased. Eating edibles is seldom deadly for cats, but if you believe your feline ate any amount of marijuana, they should be closely observed.
Is it true that cannabis consumption can kill your cat? Yes, it is. However, if your cat falls asleep after consuming marijuana and then chokes on their vomit because they were badly poisoned, rather than as a result of cannabis use, it’s more likely that they’d die from choking on their own vomit before dying from THC toxicity.
In the end, it’s important to remember that if your cat eats marijuana or breathes secondhand smoke, he or she should be closely observed.
When it comes to your pet’s health and wellbeing, it’s always a good idea to contact a poison control helpline or your veterinarian. Spot pet insurance covers the cost of poisonous advice, so don’t hesitate to contact a poison control helpline if you think your cat has eaten marijuana or any other hazardous substance.
Common Symptoms a Cat Consumed Marijuana
In cats, marijuana’s effects will take approximately 30 minutes to an hour to manifest. Unfortunately, determining whether a cat has used marijuana is considerably more difficult than in humans. Urine drug screening tests can confirm whether a person has used marijuana. However, because pet urine drug testing is not yet reliable, veterinarians will need to collaborate with the information you give and seek for clinical indications of cannabis use in cats to determine if your cat has consumed marijuana.
Common clinical symptoms of marijuana consumption in cats:
- Wobbliness or lack of coordination
- Sudden hyperactivity
- Dilated pupils
- Sudden vocalness (excessive meowing or howling)
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Lowered heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Slowed breathing
- Fatigue
- Incontinence (lack of bladder control)
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Comas
These symptoms might be distressing for your pet. If any of these indicators appear and you believe your cat has ingested marijuana, contact your veterinarian or a poison control center for further instructions.
What Should I Do If My Cat Eats A THC Infused Edible?
If you’re sure your cat has eaten marijuana, get them to a veterinarian or an emergency clinic as soon as possible. Vomiting or activated charcoal can be used by your veterinarian to help remove marijuana from the body. Stomach pumping may be used in cases where there is imminent danger to the pet’s life. nIn less serious situations, your veterinarian may examine your cat and advise you on treatment options. To assist with agitation while the effects of cannabis wear off, anti-anxiety medications might be administered.
Dehydration, if not addressed, can lead to further complications in your cat’s health. Your cat will be lethargic and show no interest in eating or drinking, which might result in dehydration. Your veterinarian may administer an IV to assist with this situation as well as instruct you on how to encourage your cat to drink more water.
When you’re at home, keep your cat in a tranquil and secure location that is free of noise and sensory stimulation. Cannabis has been shown to cause disorientation in cats, so restricting sensory input could help them feel more comfortable while healing.
You’d be shocked at how many times this is Googled. Cats can become intoxicated from eating, sniffing, and licking catnip… But what about cannabis? I hope you think again after reading this for everyone who believes it’s a fantastic or amusing idea to get a cat high.
A cat on a “catnip high” is not like a human on a cannabis high. It’s more like a mild hallucinogenic that enhances the senses. As for the comparison between the two, catnip does not contain THC. Just to clarify… No, you won’t get high from eating catnip; if you try, you’ll end up really ill. Leave the catnip to the cats; they know what they’re doing with it.
Can Cats Get High from Cannabis?
Is it true that cats can’t get “high” on catnip if we humans are unable to do so? No, they cannot get “high” on it. Cats are picky about what they eat, and cannabis is unlikely to be consumed. If they do ingest cannabis, they are more likely to vomit it back up or have an upset stomach due to its finicky nature. What they might get from this indigestion is a “bad trip.” THC can cause spasms and seizures in cats, which can lead to biting down on their own tongue, brain injury, accidents, or even death. Are you still thinking it’s a good idea?
What About Blowing It into the Cat’s Face/Ears?
Cats despise smoke. They despise how it smells near their face, just as humans do. It can induce vision problems and infections that might result in blindness. The retinas dry out as a result of smoke, which is both uncomfortable and harmful to cats. Would you force someone to drink if they don’t enjoy drinking? This is also the case. If you do this, you are committing animal cruelty. It’s not cute or amusing, to put it bluntly. If you know someone who does this to their cat, give them a good persuasive argument for them to stop since it isn’t fair to force medication on an animal without knowing what may happen as a result of it.
Can Medical Cannabis Be Used for Pain Relief in Cats?
This can be something you will see in the future at your veterinarian’s office, but it will not make them “high” or “tripping.” They would not feel any of those symptoms. Most likely, they would experience pain relief and a mild drowsyness. That is all there is to it. It wouldn’t be the same as providing them with your stash or blowing smoke into their face. Patches are being tested on cats, dogs, and horses that contain cannabis to be used for pets who suffer from pain. It’s a time-released and stable form that won’t cause any negative side effects or “highs.”
