How to get my dog unstoned

There are countless ways your dog accidentally gets high. From mistakenly eating an edible, to ingesting a few buds that you carelessly left on your nightstand, to having your curious canine drink the water from your bong. These things happen. So what do you do if your pup gets high? First, don't freak out.

Related Story: Pets In Pain? Here's How Marijuana Can Help

Here's why: this "my dog accidentally got high" anecdote is more common than you might think. Pups across America are getting high all the time. In fact, in the last five years alone there has been a whopping 330 percent increase in people seeking aid from the Pet Poison Helpline for their high pets, according to the Helpline's director, Ahna Brutlag. This doesn't just include dogs though: birds, cats, rabbits and other domestic animals have been reported "accidentally" high.

Uncomfortable, Yes. Deadly? No.

The symptoms vary greatly, but are rarely fatal. According to a 2013 study published in Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, these symptoms can include vomiting, tremors, agitation and in some cases seizures, depending on the dosage consumed and the potency of the marijuana.

How to get my dog unstoned

Breaking News

As it happens

Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts.

For example, a dog who ate a pot brownie might have a higher or more severe reaction than a pup who accidentally ate a marijuana bud, especially if the former contains chocolate. Chemicals in chocolate, specifically theobromine, are often responsible for a dog's vomiting and upset stomach.

Related Story: Senior Dog's Vision And Motor Control Restored Through Marijuana

How to get my dog unstoned

The best thing you can do is take note of the symptoms and call the Pet Poison Helpline and be honest. This honesty will go a long way and will allow the hotline to better aid in the next course of action, which usually includes allowing the pup to sleep it off.

However, in rare cases where your animal consumes cannabutter, that's probably a good time to bring them into the nearest vet, immediately. The 2013 study notes that "Although the drug has a high margin of safety, deaths have been seen after ingestion of food products containing the more concentrated medical-grade THC butter."

Marijuana Can Actually Help Fido

You should know that not all pups under the influence of marijuana are accidents. There is actually a growing community of people who give their pets biscuits and other treats containing CBD (cannabis' non-psychoactive ingredient) to treat certain ailments. It has already been proven that cannabis can be a strong remedy for a wide variety of medical conditions including cancers, seizures and chronic pain in humans and so now, people are using them to treat their pets' health problems as well.

But in the event you are not apart of the community of people intentionally getting their pets high to treat ailments here's one thing you can do to make sure your pets are guarded from your weed: be responsible and stop leaving your packed bowl on the kitchen table.

Marijuana affects dogs in the same way that it affects people. Inhaling secondhand smoke and ingesting marijuana or THC might also have had a role. Marijuana’s effects on dogs may vary from those on people. A poor vacation might become your dog’s final resort, depending on what you can do.

What Are the Signs That Your Dog Is Stoned?

There will be a lack of coordination, and the dog will be disorganized. Dogs that seem sleepy are more prone to tumbling over. This can also include yellow eyes, a sluggish heart rate, and urinary problems.

Can Weed Kill Dogs?

The cortex of the brain is affected by THC, but not the nervous system. The latter is the area of the brain that ensures your survival. As a result, most scientists feel that marijuana, even in high dosages, will not kill you. When it comes to pets, though, some experts differ. According to a 2012 Colorado study, two out of 125 canines died after consuming THC butter. Because both dogs were of lesser breeds, size is assumed to be a factor. Still, it’s unlikely that THC would be used to murder a dog. A medium-sized dog’s lethal THC dosage is roughly 45 pounds of activated marijuana. Your dog is unlikely to consume that much food. A dog losing control of his usual body processes and injuring himself is a more plausible situation. Several owners who stated that “my dog ate an edible” said that their dog choked on their own saliva.In fact, something similar happened in the Colorado research cited earlier. After vomiting, the two dogs asphyxiate.

So don’t be concerned. After the effects of marijuana wear off, your dog should be OK. It’s still useful to know how to de-stone a dog. Nobody wants their dog to be in pain for any longer than absolutely necessary.

What exactly is THC?

How to get my dog unstoned

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the molecule in marijuana that causes the majority of its psychological effects. According to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), it functions similarly to cannabinoid compounds produced naturally by the body. Cannabinoid receptors are located in brain regions related to cognition, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time perception. According to NIDA, THC binds to and activates these receptors, influencing memory, pleasure, movement, thinking, attentiveness, cooperation, and sensory and temporal perception.

THC is one of numerous chemicals identified in the resin released by marijuana plant glands. More of these glands are present near the plant’s reproductive organs than everywhere else. THC has an effect on the cortex of a dog’s brain. Any injury to this part of the brain may not always result in death. The stem of a dog’s brain, on the other hand, works to keep it alive.

How to Get a Dog Unstoned?

Don’t be alarmed! Such mishaps are far more prevalent. When responding to the panicked “how to get a dog unstoned” queries from dog parents, many physicians try to remind them that they shouldn’t allow their “five minutes of pleasure” to go in the way of their canine’s. Marijuana, or cannabis, is entirely harmless for people when ingested in suitable amounts, but nevertheless, it can be deadly for your dog.

It’s a horror to see your dog chomping on what should have been an off-limits brownie. However, you should relax and take your pet to the veterinarian. Marijuana poisoning does not result in the death of a dog. Many specialists feel that a canine must consume a significant amount of cannabis in order to suffer hazardous and life-threatening effects. However, the decision is split. Some veterinarians have observed incidents in which dogs, particularly small canines, died after consuming THC-laced food. This leads us to another critical issue.

Symptoms of a stoned dog:

There isn’t much you can do to undo the effects of marijuana on your dog. Some dogs are fine and may not require medical treatment. This cannot, however, always be the case. In some situations, your pets may exhibit severe symptoms, such as:

  1. Disorientation
  2. The heart rate should be reduced.
  3. Hyperactivity
  4. Incontinence of the bladder
  5. Tremors in the muscles
  6. Hypothermia
  7. Coma

How to Care for a “Stoned” Dog:

  1. A few pointers might assist you in keeping your dog safe. You can experiment with the following steps:
  2. Keep your dogs in a well-lit area. Bright lights and loud noises will irritate your dog. Also, make sure your dog stays inside.
  3.  Boil rice or bake chicken for your dog as a light dinner. Food also helps the effects of cannabis wear off, and the dog will feel much better as a result.
  4.  Bathing your dog might help if he appreciates it.
  5. Decrease the volume of the music or television. Make certain that the dog feels comfortable and is not alarmed by any noise.
  6. Rubbing the tip of a dog’s ear can also make a stoned dog feel better.

What Can Be Done to Prevent the Issue?

  1. Always store your cannabis in a secure, long-lasting container. This will not only keep your marijuana fresh, but it will also deter your dog from trying to get into your store. The majority of these containers are also affordable!
  2. Keep your cannabis out of sight, such as in your kitchen cabinets, as well as on top of a tall dresser in your room.
  3. If you reside in a place where marijuana is legal, putting your stash in the trunk of the car will usually suffice.