The legal status of marijuana is changing across the United States, and its impact on pets has been noticed. According to the pet poison control hotline, there has been a significant increase in calls reporting marijuana exposure to pets since 2009; around the time marijuana legalization began.
As marijuana usage becomes legal in more and more states, and accepted in society, it’s worth looking into the health risks associated with pot and pets.
Pot and Pets Don’t Mix
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, negatively affects a pet’s central nervous system and should be considered a pet toxin. Just like with humans, a pet’s age, weight, activity level, and amount of exposure will all affect the degree of marijuana poisoning.