I appear to be the Web’s go-to man relating to questions on pets and marijuana — like “Is smoking weed round canine harmful?”
It began once I wrote a number of weblog posts about what to do in case your canine breaks right into a stash of marijuana. At across the similar time, I additionally composed a complete web site with 100 articles on canine and cat ailments, syndromes and coverings. One of many coated objects was marijuana intoxication. The article on marijuana actually obtained observed.
I’ve been quoted — at all times with out permission, at all times with out making any effort to contact me and generally out of context — by newspapers (together with SF Weekly) and a bunch of pro-cannabis web sites, which I attempt to ignore. I discuss canine marijuana intoxication in an easy and nonjudgemental manner; this has sadly led some of us to the misunderstanding that I endorse getting canine stoned. For the report: I undoubtedly don’t.
Questions on marijuana and canine
Is smoking weed round canine harmful? Will it get canine excessive? Pictures by Grigorita Ko / Shutterstock.
Due to this “fame,” I obtain a stream of questions on canine (and different animals) and marijuana. Lots of them are ridiculous to the purpose of absurdity. However not each query I obtain is absurd. Take into account the next one, which asks if smoking weed round canine is harmful:
I learn Dr. Barchas’ posting about canine ingesting marijuana by consuming it, however what are the consequences of a canine (on this case a 10-month, 50-pound Basset Hound) inhaling the secondhand smoke from somebody who smokes marijuana in his bed room?
Involved Mother, NJ
So, is smoking weed round canine harmful?
The excellent news is that, until an animal is confined in a room with excessive quantities of smoke, inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke just isn’t prone to result in intoxication. If this had been a priority, it could be exhausting to stroll the streets of San Francisco with out catching a secondhand buzz.
Nonetheless, the larger concern right here is the smoke itself. Canine have exquisitely delicate lungs, and smoke can injury them. If we’re speaking smoking weed round canine (or cigarettes) each day, a canine’s respiratory operate will be compromised. Then again, if the particular person doing the smoking doesn’t go overboard, doesn’t smoke each day and retains a window open whereas smoking, it’s not probably that a lot hurt will come to the canine — from the smoke at the very least.
Canine and marijuana — what to bear in mind
Keep in mind that though I’ve by no means seen a canine die from marijuana intoxication, smoking weed round canine can produce other penalties. I’ve seen canine die as a direct results of their house owners getting stoned. Everybody is aware of that intoxicated individuals continuously train poor judgment. Take into account a canine I labored with a number of years in the past. The proprietor’s boyfriend obtained stoned and determined to hang around on his house constructing’s roof with the canine. The canine sadly fell 4 tales and broke his again. The horrified proprietor elected to euthanize the canine (and, I think about, dump her boyfriend).
So, keep in mind that conditions involving canine and marijuana can finish poorly. Everybody, please watch out. Don’t get your canine stoned. Be cautious if and when you may have been smoking. And please don’t smoke something (cigarettes or weed) round your canine.
Thumbnail: Pictures © JZHunt | Thinkstock.
This piece was initially printed in 2012.
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