Dog accidentally eating owner’s marijuana leads to dramatic increase in emergency room vet visits

According to a survey conducted by Veritas Veterinary Partners, marijuana Poisoning incidents involving pets at participating veterinary facilities increased from 51 incidents in 2021 to 102 incidents in 2025.

The Vet Network recorded a total of 460 cannabis-related pet emergencies at seven specialty and emergency hospitals. Data for early 2026 suggests the upward trend is continuing.

Although most animals recover without hospitalization, about 10% require more intensive treatment. Veterinarians note that marijuana intoxication is rarely fatal and no deaths were reported in the study.

Edible cannabis products are thought to be the biggest culprit. Gummies and similar edibles were involved in 44% of exposure cases, while loose cannabis plant material accounted for 36%.

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Experts say the problem is often related to poor storage habits within the home.

Only 22% of cannabis users surveyed said they store their cannabis products in locked containers. Many people admit to keeping them in drawers, shelves, or bedside tables where their pets can easily access them.

Allison Rod Nugent, medical director and board-certified surgeon at Greater Staten Island Veterinary Services, warns that edible products can have other complications besides exposure to THC.

“Food often contains packaging or other ingredients that don’t break down easily, which can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and require surgery,” she told the New York Post.

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Twenty-one percent sought immediate emergency veterinary care, another 21% relied on Internet searches, and the same proportion chose to monitor their pets at home. Nearly half of people reportedly use AI tools to seek guidance.

The study further found that 38% of owners felt embarrassed about disclosing cannabis exposure to their veterinarian, while 36% never contacted their veterinarian at all.

Awareness of the symptoms of cannabis intoxication also appears to be limited. Half of the owners surveyed were unable to recognize any symptoms of poisoning, and only 9% said they were familiar with warning signs.

As marijuana legalization expands across the country, veterinary experts are now urging cannabis users to store products safely and dispose of them carefully.