How to Get a Dog Unstoned at Home: Top Tips

Has your pet started acting weird? Is it acting as if it’s high? Well, a dog can get high just like a human being after consuming marijuana. But with dogs, it can be quite serious, and with marijuana legalized, these situations have become quite common.

Dogs are curious creatures that love eating everything pet owners consume. If you leave your special brownies on the table, your pet may consume them. If this has happened to your pet, you may be wondering how to get a dog unstoned at home. 

After all, they’re more sensitive to marijuana sensitivity than us as they have more cannabinoid receptors.

How to Get a Dog Unstoned at Home

Cannabis ingestion in our canine pals can be easily treated, but proper timing matters. You should examine your dog’s behavior if your dog ate your freshly baked hop brownies. If he has consumed marijuana, you may have to rush him to the vet immediately.

When a dog eats marijuana, it can take about 24 hours to recover, this doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. 

Some of the signs of a stoned dog that you should watch out for before proceeding with treatment include:

• Lethargy: A stoned dog may appear unusually lethargic or excessively sleepy. It may have difficulty staying awake or may seem unresponsive.
• Loss of Coordination: Dogs who consume marijuana may experience a loss of coordination. If your dog has eaten marijuana, the loss of coordination can manifest as stumbling, swaying, or difficulty walking.
• Dilated Pupils: Ingesting certain substances can cause a dog’s pupils to become dilated.
• Bloodshot Eyes: Red or bloodshot eyes are a common symptom of marijuana ingestion in dogs.
• Elevated Heart Rate: Increased heart rate or abnormal heart rhythms may occur.
• Hyperactivity or Agitation: In some cases, dogs may exhibit hyperactivity or restlessness.
• Vomiting and Diarrhea: Ingesting toxic substances can lead to gastrointestinal distress, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
• Tremors or Shaking: Some dogs may experience tremors or shaking, particularly in their limbs.
• Changes in Behavior: Dogs may display changes in behavior, such as anxiety or fearfulness.
• Inappropriate Urination: Loss of bladder control or accidents in the house may occur.

If you suspect your dog ate weed, you should examine it for the above signs. These symptoms appear if the marijuana has been absorbed into the body. To get a dog unstoned, you should contact your vet or dial the pet poison helpline.

If you get your furry friend to the vet within the first 60 to 120 minutes, then he can induce vomiting. Marijuana has an anti-emetic effect on our dogs, which can be quite lethal. So, you may need a vet to help you get a dog unstoned.

The vet may give it activated charcoal to help limit further absorption of cannabis. 

Activated charcoal can lower the consequences of marijuana poisoning. 

If the situation is severe, the vet must monitor your furry friend until it gets unstoned.

The vet will monitor its blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, but if it’s mild, the vet may recommend home care. If that’s the case, then you should do the following:

Put Your Pet in a Dimly Lit Space

One of the key symptoms of Marijuana consumption is sensitivity to bright light. If the marijuana absorption is mild, you should place your pet in a dimly lit environment.

Moving your pet to a dark room and drawing the curtain can help get a dog unstoned. This will block hypersensitivity to light stimuli. Make sure you avoid any distractions that can make it feel uneasy.

Besides dimming the light, you can also lower the noise levels and keep your other pets away. A comfortable blanket or bed to sleep on can help get a dog unstoned.

Try Aromatherapy for Dogs

You can introduce some calming scents to help soothe your pet after it has consumed marijuana. A good example of a soothing essential oil with relaxing properties is lavender. But make sure your pet is not allergic to lavender.

Even with the aromatherapy essential oil in the vicinity, you should monitor your dog closely. And if a dog’s health changes, you should consult your vet for guidance.

Comfort and Reassurance via Physical Contact

The effects of marijuana consumption can leave your furry pal feeling anxious, so you should offer it comfort. You should pet and talk to your dog using a soothing voice while it’s still stoned. 

Cuddling can also reassure it that it will be ok. This will make your pup feel secure and safe during this challenging time. To keep them calm, you can try the following:

Brush Their Coat

If your pet loves being brushed, you can keep it calm by brushing its coat while reassuring it. You can use this time to connect, but if your pet doesn’t love being brushed, you shouldn’t try it when it’s high.

Rub Their Ears

Massaging your dog’s ears can help it remain calm and feel better. And that’s because the dog’s ears have several nerve endings. Massaging its ears can presumably activate the release of endorphins that help lower the stress and discomfort levels.

So, you should give your pet’s ears a gentle massage or light pressure while cuddling. 

Keep Your Pet Hydrated and Well-Fed

Food and water can help mitigate the negative effects of cannabis while helping get a dog unstoned. You should keep clean water near it and feed it some light food like boiled chicken and white rice.

The light meal will keep its weight stable while supporting the various bodily functions. 

Urinary incontinence is also common with cannabis toxicity, so you should be on the lookout. 

Marijuana can leave your pet dehydrated, so you can mix the water with some electrolyte solution. An electrolyte like Pedialyte can help maintain your pet’s electrolyte balance.

Marijuana Consumption Can be Toxic to Dogs

Yes, dogs can potentially die from ingesting marijuana. While marijuana is generally safe for human beings, it can be toxic to dogs. The toxic component in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which affects the central nervous system.

The THC is one of over 100 different cannabinoids present in the plant. 

THC is responsible for the “high” or euphoric feelings that we often associate with marijuana use. The THC doesn’t affect your dog’s brain stem; it affects its brain cortex.

When cannabis is consumed, THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain cortex and the central nervous system. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating various physiological processes.

The euphoria in dogs can be higher than in humans, so over-ingestion of marijuana can be detrimental to your pet. It’s important to keep any marijuana or marijuana-containing products (such as edibles) out of reach of pets.

The THC can be toxic to your pet, resulting in extreme discomfort. In severe cases, your dog may fall into a coma or experience a seizure. Therefore, in severe cases, you should contact your vet to save the life of your canine pal.

The Amount of Time It Takes for Your Dog to Get Unstoned?

The effects of marijuana intoxication in dogs can vary based on factors the dog’s size and the amount of THC ingested. The form of marijuana consumed (e.g., raw plant material, edibles) also plays a major role in its effects. The signs of marijuana toxicity usually begin within 30 minutes to a few hours after ingestion and can last for several hours.

If a dog has ingested marijuana, the intoxication duration will depend on the amount consumed and how quickly the body metabolizes the THC. Generally, the effects can last anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

However, it’s essential to note that marijuana toxicity in dogs can be a serious medical issue. Plus, the exact duration of the symptoms can vary from case to case.

Tips to Help You Minimize Marijuana Toxicity Among Dogs

Preventing your dog from consuming marijuana is important for their health and well-being. Here are some tips to help you minimize the risk of accidental ingestion:

• Secure Storage: Keep any marijuana or marijuana-containing products securely stored out of your dog’s reach. This includes not only the dried plant material but also edibles, tinctures, oils, and any other products containing THC.
• Education: Make sure everyone in your household, as well as visitors, is aware of the potential dangers of marijuana for dogs. Educate them on the signs of marijuana toxicity and emphasize the importance of keeping such substances away from pets.
• Dispose of Waste Properly: If you use marijuana, be careful about how you dispose of any remnants or waste. Dogs can be attracted to the smell, so make sure to properly dispose of any leftover materials.
• Be Cautious in Public Spaces: If you walk your dog in public areas where people might use marijuana, be vigilant. Dogs can pick up discarded joints, edibles, or other marijuana products on the ground. Keep your dog on a leash while outside and monitor their behavior closely.
• Monitor Guests: If you have guests who use marijuana, remind them to keep their belongings out of reach of your dog. Some dogs may be more prone to getting into things, so extra caution is needed.
• Training: Basic obedience training can be useful in preventing your dog from ingesting harmful substances. Commands like “leave it” and “drop it” can be particularly helpful.
• Use Pet-Friendly Products: If you use cannabis products for medical or recreational purposes, choose pet-friendly alternatives when possible. Some CBD products, for example, are designed specifically for pets and may have little to no THC.

Remember that prevention is key, but accidents can happen. If you suspect your dog has ingested marijuana, seek veterinary attention immediately. Prompt treatment can significantly affect the outcome and reduce the risk of complications.

Conclusion

Just like with humans, dogs can also get stones when they consume marijuana. Dogs have more cannabinoid receptors than us, so the effect of marijuana toxicity can be catastrophic. Therefore, you should consult a veterinarian immediately, but if it’s not severe, you can take care of it at home.

To get your dog unstoned, you should take it to a dim room and try to keep it calm. You can pet it while massaging its ears to help keep your dog calm. But most importantly, make sure your dog is hydrated and well while getting him unstoned. You can even use an electrolyte to help keep its electrolyte balance.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my dog to get unstoned?

It can take between 18 and 36 hours for your pet to get unstoned.

Do dogs have more cannabinoid receptors than humans? 

Yes, they have more cannabinoids than humans, which means they can get higher than us.

Is it legal to get your dog high?

No, doing it deliberately isn’t legal; it is considered to be animal abuse and illegal.