THC

The intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, limited by law to under 0.3% in hemp and a genuine safety risk to pets in larger amounts.

Industrial hemp field in Colorado with a hemp leaf and seed head in sharp focus

THC and Dogs: The Safety Facts Every Owner Should Have

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the intoxicating compound in cannabis. It is the one thing in the plant that is genuinely dangerous to pets in quantity, and this page is written to be useful in an emergency rather than to sell you anything.

The short version: veterinarians do not recommend giving THC to dogs. Legal hemp, including everything HempMy Pet makes, must contain less than 0.3% THC — a different universe from a marijuana edible. If your pet has eaten cannabis, skip to the emergency section below.

If Your Pet Just Ate Cannabis

Call for help now. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Both are staffed 24/7 and a consultation fee may apply. Contact your own veterinarian or the nearest emergency hospital as well.

Do not induce vomiting at home. THC suppresses the vomiting reflex and a groggy, uncoordinated dog can inhale stomach contents. Let a professional decide on decontamination.

Be straightforward with the veterinary team about what was eaten and how much. They are treating your dog, not reporting you, and an accurate history changes the care your dog gets.

What Is THC?

THC is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids in cannabis, and the only common one that is meaningfully intoxicating. CBD, CBG, CBC and CBDV are not.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is hemp; above that line it is marijuana. The USDA Hemp Program sets out how that is measured.

Why Dogs React More Strongly Than People

Dogs have a higher density of cannabinoid receptors in the brain than humans do, which is why a dose a person would shrug off can knock a dog sideways. The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center explains the mechanism.

Cases have climbed steeply as cannabis has been legalised in more states. Pet Poison Helpline has reported a 448% rise in marijuana cases over six years.

Signs of THC Exposure

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the most frequent signs are lethargy, loss of coordination and vomiting. Owners commonly also see dilated pupils, dribbling urine, sensitivity to sound and touch, tremors, and a startled rocking motion.

Ingested THC usually shows within one to two hours, up to four in a dog with an empty stomach, and signs typically resolve over one to three days. Cornell notes effects can persist up to 72 hours.

The reassuring part, and it is worth saying plainly: with veterinary care the prognosis is good, and Merck describes death from THC alone as extremely rare.

Edibles Are the Bigger Danger

A cannabis edible often carries a second toxin. Chocolate, xylitol and raisins are each dangerous to dogs on their own, and butter or oil bases concentrate THC well beyond what plant material delivers. Tell the veterinary team exactly what the product was.

Store everything — edibles, flower, concentrates, vapes — the way you would store medication. Prevention is the whole game here.

How Much THC Is Too Much?

Toxicity is about milligrams of THC per kilogram of body weight, not the mere presence of THC. Merck puts mild signs at roughly 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg, with more significant signs above 2 to 3 mg/kg.

Set that against a legal hemp product. At under 0.3% THC by weight, a serving of full-spectrum hemp oil delivers a trace fraction of a milligram — orders of magnitude below the threshold where signs begin. That is the difference between a compliant hemp supplement and a cannabis exposure.

Is There THC in HempMy Pet Products?

Yes, in trace, legally compliant amounts — and we would rather say so than fudge it. Full-spectrum hemp extract keeps the plant's whole cannabinoid profile, which by definition includes THC below the 0.3% limit. A product claiming full-spectrum with absolutely zero THC is either isolate or mislabelled.

Every batch we make is third-party tested, and the certificate of analysis shows the cannabinoid profile. Browse CBD Hemp for Dogs, CBD Hemp for Cats or CBD Hemp for Horses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is THC bad for dogs? In meaningful amounts, yes. Veterinarians do not recommend giving THC to dogs, and cannabis ingestion is a common reason for emergency visits.

My dog ate weed — what do I do? Call Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, and contact your veterinarian. Do not induce vomiting at home.

How much THC is toxic to a dog? Merck reports mild signs from about 0.3 to 0.5 mg/kg and more significant signs above 2 to 3 mg/kg of body weight.

How long does THC affect a dog? Signs usually appear within one to two hours of ingestion and resolve over one to three days, occasionally up to 72 hours.

Can a dog die from eating marijuana? It is extremely rare with veterinary care, though severe cases do occur. Get professional help rather than waiting it out.

Does full-spectrum hemp oil contain THC? Yes, in trace amounts below the 0.3% legal limit. That is what makes it full-spectrum.

Will 0.3% THC make my dog high? No. A serving delivers a trace fraction of a milligram, far below the level at which any signs appear.

Can I give my dog a 10mg edible? No. Do not give a dog a cannabis edible. 10mg of THC sits far above the level where signs begin in most dogs, and edibles frequently contain chocolate or xylitol as well. If your dog has already eaten one, call Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 now.

Is CBD or THC better for dogs? CBD. It is non-intoxicating, and it is the cannabinoid veterinary research in dogs has actually focused on. THC is the compound behind cannabis toxicosis.

Does THC calm dogs down? No — the opposite is common. Reported signs of THC exposure include disorientation, loss of coordination, and heightened sensitivity to sound and touch. For everyday calm support, full-spectrum hemp extract is the appropriate product.

Further reading: AKC on marijuana poisoning in dogs and the Pet Poison Helpline.