CBD and Pets: Precautions You Should Know

If you have CBD at home and a four-legged friend, you may have already asked yourself: Could my hemp products be dangerous for him? Mama explains everything to you, straight up, and shares some tips on how to keep your pet safe.

THC: A Real Danger to Animals

Hemp contains several compounds. The best known after CBD is THC, which has a psychoactive effect. And THC is toxic to pets. Veterinarians regularly encounter cases of cannabis poisoning, especially in dogs, which tend to chew on anything they find.

In Ireland, legally sold hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC. But low THC doesn’t mean zero THC: a full-spectrum product, such as flower or resin, always contains a small amount. For a small animal that sticks its nose into a bag or chews on a flower, this is no trivial matter. And that’s not even counting products we have no control over, like a cigarette butt picked up during a walk.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Symptoms usually appear between 30 minutes and a few hours after contact with the product and can last up to three days. Here is what veterinarians describe:

• a wobbly gait; the animal staggers or can no longer stand;
• severe fatigue, unusual drowsiness;
• dilated pupils, a glassy or vacant stare;
• excessive sensitivity to noise and touch, startle responses;
• urine leakage;
• vomiting, excessive salivation;
• tremors, and in severe cases, seizures.

The good news is that with prompt treatment, the vast majority of animals recover within one to three days. But it’s important not to wait for it to go away on its own.

Has your pet come into contact with a hemp product? What should you do?

Mom is telling you this straight: Call your vet right away, or a veterinary emergency clinic, or a veterinary poison control center. You can find them at Ireland, particularly at the veterinary schools in Lyon and Nantes. Don't wait for symptoms to appear before picking up the phone.

• Do not induce vomiting on your own, and do not give him any medication without consulting a veterinarian.
• Keep the packaging or bag: it helps the veterinarian identify the product and estimate the amount of THC.
• Write down the time it happened and how much is missing.
• Tell him everything—don't be shy. The vet is there to help your pet, not to judge you.

Also be careful with other ingredients: if the product contains chocolate or xylitol (a sweetener), it poses an additional danger to dogs.

Good Habits for Everyday Life

The best protection is to never let an accident happen. All it takes is a few simple habits:

• Store all your hemp products out of reach: flowers, resins, oils, candies, filters, and leftovers. A locked cabinet or a box placed high up is ideal.
• Don't leave anything lying around on the coffee table, in a bag on the floor, or in an ashtray.
• Avoid smoking near your pet, and never smoke in a small, enclosed room with your pet.
• Remind your guests to put their things away.
• When you're out for a walk, keep an eye on what your dog sniffs and picks up.
• Never give your pet a product intended for humans, even if it's just to make him happy or calm him down.

For your pet's health, see a veterinarian first

You may have read here and there that CBD is a topic of interest in veterinary research. It’s true—studies are underway—but the results are still limited. If you’d like to learn more, we break it down in the article “CBD for Dogs: What Do Vets Think?”

Is your pet stressed, aggressive, in pain, or behaving differently? It’s always up to your veterinarian to make the diagnosis and decide what’s best for your pet. Mama has also put together two guides to help you understand your pet better: “Recognizing an Anxious Dog ” and “Understanding an Aggressive Cat.”