Smoking marijuana is undoubtedly a popular activity — according to the United Nations, 158.8 million people around the world use marijuana, whether it is recreational marijuana or from medical marijuana dispensaries. This is equivalent to about 3.8% of the planet’s population, so it is safe to say that some of these marijuana users have a home full of pets.
Unfortunately, as much as we love them, our pets can be quite mischevious and can get into your marijuana stash. As this drug becomes increasingly more common among Americans, it is crucial to completely understand the health risks that come when you are using marijuana around your pet. So before you head to your local marijuana dispensary to grab some Green Queen or Pineapple Diesel, here are some things you should know about marijuana and your pet.
How does secondhand smoke affect my pet?
Veterinarian Dr. Eric Barchas explains to Healthy Paws that unless your animal is in a room with an intensely high amount of smoke, they will be fine. However, it is important to note that since your animal has a very sensitive respiratory system, it is a good idea to smoke outside or keep them away as much as you can.
How will I know if my pet ingested marijuana?
There are plenty of signs that your pet has gotten into your marijuana, including:
- Lethargy
- Stumbling
- Hyperactivity
- Low heart rate
- Dialated pupils
- Excessive barking or howling.
Marijuana affects animals similar to how it affects humans, so if you notice your dog or cat acting differently, do not hesitate to take them to their veterinarian right away. Being honest will be able to help diagnosis the problem as soon as possible.
What’s the best way to keep my marijuana away from my pet?
Animals have a much keener sense of smell than humans, so chances are they can sniff out your marijuana in no time. So keep your trip to your marijuana dispensary to yourself and hide your marijuana in a sealed, glass container as a safeguard. This is also true for any edible products that have marijuana in them such as brownies or cookies as sweet foods contain lethal xylitol and this can lead to a double dose of toxicity.
So with this information in mind, go and safely enjoy marijuana without worrying about your furry friends!
