What Happens if Your Cat Eats Marjiuana? Stoned Cat FAQs

CBD oil for cats is formulated to be safe and effective for our feline friends, and it does not get cats stoned because it has almost no THC.

On the other hand, marijuana is not safe for cats and it can even be toxic. If you're concerned that your cat has ingested marijuana in some form, this guide will help you out. 

If your cat has ingested a significant amount of marijuana, rush to a veterinarian. In most cases, cats aren't permanently harmed from ingesting cannabis, but concentrated products like gummies, brownies, and medical grade cannabis could cause serious harm to your pet.

Accidents happen, and it is not uncommon for a cat to ingest marijuana. That said, just because it's a common occurrence doesn't mean it's okay for your cat.

Weed may be harmful to cats and dogs and should be kept completely out of their reach. Let's find out how marijuana affects a cat and what we can do in an emergency.

Is Marijuana toxic to cats?

If your cat has taken THC, go to the vet and be very detailed with the information you provide.

- Lianne McLeod, D.V.M.

Yes, marijuana may be toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The high affinity of CB1 receptors in cats for THC may increase their sensitivity to its effects. 

Cats can ingest marijuana products or inhale secondhand marijuana smoke. Edibles are infused with the oil that was used to extract THC from the cannabis plant and will therefore have a higher concentration of THC.

Edibles may also contain toxic substances like chocolate which are not safe for cats. Products that are safe for humans may not always be suitable for cats. All animals have different reactions to medicine, supplements, treats, or snacks like chocolate that are safe for humans. 

Passively inhaling weed when humans smoke may affect your cat. The level of toxicity might be lower but constant exposure still puts your pet in harm's way. Some of the other factors that may contribute to how THC affects your cat include age, size, or pre-existing health conditions. 

If your cat has taken THC, go to the vet and be very detailed with the information you provide. When your vet can determine which form and how much THC your cat has been exposed to, they will trailer a treatment regime best suited to help your pet recover. 

Signs of Cannabis Exposure in Cats

If your cat has inhaled or ingested marijuana, the signs always point to neurological interference. Here are the signs of marijuana ingestion to look out for;

• Prolonged depression

• Vomiting

• Excitation

• Hypersalivation

• Incoordination

• Sleepiness

• Dilated pupils

• Low blood pressure

• Hypersensitivity to sound & touch

• Restlessness

• Aggression

• Seizure

• Comma

Signs of marijuana exposure can appear within minutes or a few hours and last for half an hour to several days. Do not just assume your cat needs to “sleep it off”. If you notice any of these symptoms, rush to the Vet. They will inform make a proper diagnosis and offer suitable treatment. 

Diagnosis of Marijuana Toxicity

Every piece of information you provide will help the Vet effectively treat your pet. Diagnosis is usually done based on visible symptoms and information you provide. Be very specific with the details. Mention the form of marijuana your cat was exposed to (edibles, plants, medication, or smoke), how much they took, and the time that has elapsed since you noticed the symptoms.

If you are not sure that your pet took marijuana be forthcoming with your Veterinarian. The Vet will consider other possible causes like ingesting antifreeze, drugs, or opioids. 

Diagnostic tests often take days to return results and the information is required immediately for treatment. Diagnostic tests are therefore not ideal because of the urgency of treatment. Drug tests designed for humans don't work well for diagnosing cats because they process THC differently, excreating compounds that are not detectable by human tests. X-rays can image any ingested materials and blood tests reveal the condition of your pets’ organs, hormones, and immune.

Treatment of Marijuana Intoxication

Treatment options are mostly supportive care practices. If your pet takes cannabis within 30 minutes of going to the hospital, your Vet will induce vomiting to remove the toxic substance. 

Vets can also activate charcoal which absorbs the ingested toxin. Activated charcoal powder is mixed with water and it will absorb toxins from the intestinal tract to prevent the spread of toxins.

Supportive practices include anti-nausea medication, temperature support, and intravenous fluid injections to help the cat stay hydrated, maintain blood pressure, and support organ function. The veterinarian might also decide that it is best to monitor your pet while they stay in the hospital till they recover.

Additionally, marijuana toxicity causes disorientation and poor coordination. Your pet must be kept in a safe and comfortable environment so that they do not harm themselves. Closely monitor your pet till the cannabis toxicity wears off.

How Does Marijuana Affect Cats?

A cat high on marijuana displays behaviors that indicate they have experienced some neurological change. When your cat ingests marijuana they may appear dizzy, uncoordinated, sleepy, disoriented, or hyperactive. Catnip and cannabis make cats high. 

Catnip is a herb that comes from the mint family. The mint family herb has aromatic leaves attractive to cats and it triggers the opioid reward system when ingested. It targets the happy receptors in the cat’s brain so they tend to go crazy, flipping, rubbing, or rolling over and later calming down. Some cats may become hyperactive or aggressive but are unlikely to overdose though they may become sick if they take excessive amounts.

Cats are more sensitive to THC even when ingested in small amounts. CB1 receptors have a high affinity for THC and cats have more of these CB1 receptors than humans. THC may affect the brain's functions, potentially causing drowsiness, disorientation, drooling, vomiting, or behavioral changes. 

Marijuana may be harmful, and if you suspect your cat has ingested it, seek veterinary care. Unlike catnip which is more harmless and fun for cats, THC may cause adverse effects and should be used with caution. 

The Legality of Weed & Its Use

Cats can passively take weed when they are exposed to people who are smoking, or they can eat edible forms that are lying around the home. Regardless of how pets come into contact with marijuana, the bottom line is that weed has psychoactive properties that may affect their well-being.

Weed is legal in 24 states in the U.S.A. for adult recreational purposes and some have legalized medical marijuana. This also means that home-growing weed is allowed though the permissible amount varies from state to state. Marijuana is more accessible now because of its legalization and this increases the probability of accidental intoxication in cats who can stumble on a stash.

Marijuana is also becoming a popular medication. The FDA does not officially approve marijuana for medical use, however, cannabidiol a compound derived from marijuana that lacks the psychoactive property that causes a “high” feeling, is FDA-approved and used mainly to manage pain.

What is the difference between Hemp, Cannabis, Weed, and Marijuana?

Cannabis is commonly called marijuana or weed. Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The three most popular species of cannabis are Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. 

Hemp is the term used for the forms of cannabis sativa that are cultivated with less than 0.3% THC content, that is for consumption, recreational use, and industrial application. Hemp typically contains more CBD than THC and, therefore the psychoactive property seems to be inhibited. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are active ingredients in cannabis plants, and THC is the compound responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis products. Hemp is used for fiber, paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, food, and animal feed.

Marijuana is a cultivar of Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant made from dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. Marijuana is psychoactive which means it produces a “high feeling” because of its main ingredient, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Weed, pot, Mary Jane, and dope are some of the slang names for marijuana. 

Marijuana is a mixture of dried, shredded brownish-green stems, seeds, flowers, and leaves. The mixture looks like tobacco. It is available in various forms like edibles, Vape oil, shredded plant mixture, tinctures, cannabutter, and concentrates.

How Does Cannabis Interact with the Body?

The cannabis plant produces more than 100 cannabinoids. The most prevalent naturally occurring active ingredients found in cannabis plants are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 

THC

THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis plants. It causes a high feeling experienced when people smoke weed or ingest edibles. THC or marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) meaning they think there is a high potential for people to abuse it and they believe it has no current medical use. THC may affect blood pressure, heart rate, and cause adverse reactions in pets.

CBD

CBD does not have the intoxicating effects that THC has. This does not mean it is not psychoactive but it has mild effects compared to THC. It is therefore used to help manage pain and provide a calming effect to manage restlessness. CBD is generally considered to have low risk of abuse and its products may be legal in some areas provided they are used in the correct dosage. 

CBD and THC interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a role in processes such as stress, pain response, and sleep. The ECS is a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids in all mammals including cats. THC and CBD interact with two main ECS receptors CB1 and CB2. 

CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are more prevalent in the peripheral organs and immune cells. When endocannabinoids (cannabinoids naturally produced by the body) bind to these receptors, they help modulate the body's response to various stimuli, ensuring stability and proper function.

THC influences the body by binding directly to the CB1 receptors. It influences the CB1 receptor functions in the brain producing the psychoactive effect. Dogs and cats tend to have more CB1 receptors compared to humans therefore THC’s iterations with CB1 influence brain functions such that the “high” effect is more in cats and dogs than humans. 

CBD has a more indirect interaction with CB1 and CB2 receptors, it does not bind directly but instead influences the receptors and enhances the body's natural production of endocannabinoids.

Conclusion

Cats get high when they take marijuana. If you notice your cat appearing dizzy, disoriented, sleepy, hyperactive, depressed, drooling excessively, having dilated pupils, restlessness, and aggressive, they have probably taken marijuana. 

Marijuana is toxic to cats and has serious health consequences so seek emergency care if you suspect your feline friend has ingested it. 

As a cat owners, you are responsible for caring for your feline friends. Actively protect your pet from exposure to secondhand smoke; don't allow people to smoke weed in spaces that you share with your cat. It is also advisable to keep your stash far out of their reach. 

In case of emergencies go to the Vet and give them as much information as possible so that they can offer the best care and treatment. Do not be embarrassed at all simply say nothing but the whole truth. There is no specific treatment for marijuana exposure but your Vet will offer supportive care practices to nurse your cat back to good health. 

If you're curious about the potential feline health benefits of hemp products, consider a CBD oil for cats made to be healthy and effective specifically for them.

FAQs

Can cats get high from vape smoke?

A vape that contains THC can make your cat high. THC is psychoactive and cats are sensitive to it even when inhaled in small amounts. 

How Long Does a Cat Stay High on Weed?

Intoxication can start in as little as five minutes or less, and symptoms can last for over a day in severe cases. The length of time your cat stays high depends on their size and the THC concentration of the marijuana they ingested.

Can cats get high on weed?

Yes, cats can get high if they eat or inhale weed. Weed contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) a psychoactive compound found in cannabis that produces a high feeling. A cat high on marijuana will look disoriented, uncoordinated, sleepy, depressed, hyperactive, vomit, and display aggression. Cats are sensitive to THC, even exposure to small amounts of THC will get them high. Visit your veterinarian quickly if your cat has ingested a significant amount of THC.

What happens if a cat eats weed?

Cats experience a toxic reaction when they ingest or inhale marijuana. Marijuana contains THC a psychoactive compound that influences receptors in the body’s brain causing a high feeling. Weed has a toxic reaction in the body and the symptoms include vomiting, depression, sedation, low heart rate, dilated pupils, and excess drooling. If you suspect your cat has taken weed, visit the Vet for emergency care.

My cat ate marijuana, what do I do?

Go to the Veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested or inhaled marijuana. Marijuana is toxic to cats so it is important to get your feline friend examined and treated. You give your Vet all the details they require. The Vet can ask what your cat took, the quantity, and any symptoms you have noticed. 

References

1. Learn everything about hemp.

2. Study all about marijuana.

3. Learn about the endocannabinoid system.

4. Understand the endocannabinoid system in cats and dogs.

5. Study all about the toxicity of marijuana.