Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

yuiyoshida

(42,672 posts)
Sun Mar 25, 2018, 04:37 PM Mar 2018

Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats?

Last edited Mon Mar 26, 2018, 06:39 AM - Edit history (1)



Question:
Is marijuana toxic to cats?
Will inhaling second-hand pot smoke cause problems? How about eating marijuana brownies or the leaves of the plant? I've heard that it just the same as catnip as far as cats go, but I wouldn't want to do anything to harm my cats.

Answer:
I'm glad you asked, as there seems to be differing opinions out there. Marijuana comes from a plant called "Cannabis sativa." The chemical in Cannabis that produces the altered states of consciousness human users enjoy is called "delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol" or "THC."


Although marijuana is sometimes prescribed for relief from pain and nausea from chemotherapy in cancer patients, and for certain conditions in AIDS patients, it is still questionable whether there is anything beneficial in this plant for our feline friends. I would certainly remain vehemently against allowing cats to be in close proximity to the smoke from marijuana use, as well as exposing them to a cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoke.

How are cats exposed to marijuana?
The most common ways cats are exposed to marijuana is by inhaling smoke or ingesting dried marijuana. Although people who have experimented with smoking catnip became happy and relaxed, cats should not be forced to "smoke" any substance.

Because of the cumulative effects of inhaling any kind of smoke, it is inadvisable to smoke marijuana anywhere near a cat, particularly one with asthma or other lung diseases. Remember, humans have choices, cats often do not.

In some cases, cats may nibble on the leaves and/or buds of the growing marijuana plant. Humans may also feed their cats cookies or brownies made with marijuana. This is a double whammy of injury to the cat, as the brownies and/or cookies may also contain chocolate, which is toxic to cats on its own.

continues...
https://www.thespruce.com/is-marijuana-toxic-to-cats-555055
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats? (Original Post) yuiyoshida Mar 2018 OP
Last year I came home and found safeinOhio Mar 2018 #1
I had a cat that loved to burn Glamrock Mar 2018 #2
My kitty comes out of hiding waddirum Mar 2018 #7
There are pot meds for dogs but do NOT do it yourself! BigmanPigman Mar 2018 #3
Cats love to eat fresh leaves. concreteblue Mar 2018 #4
My dog loved to get high with me... PoiBoy Mar 2018 #5
yeah, i have a dog like that, but mopinko Mar 2018 #6
Let me start by saying Runningdawg Mar 2018 #8

safeinOhio

(33,957 posts)
1. Last year I came home and found
Sun Mar 25, 2018, 05:02 PM
Mar 2018

Lilly in distress. She could hardly stand or walk, eyes were watery and I feared she was having a stroke
I rushed her to the vet. He took her vitals and asked if she have ate some poison set out for mice. I said no. Antifreeze, no. Meds, I said no. Then I told him I do have a medical card. He said that had to be it. Said he sees it happen all the time. I felt so bad and he could tell.
He told me to take her home and give her some pizza and she’ll be fine.

BigmanPigman

(52,211 posts)
3. There are pot meds for dogs but do NOT do it yourself!
Sun Mar 25, 2018, 05:22 PM
Mar 2018

Mine almost died when a friend secretly gave my dog some oil for her pain and it almost killed her then I almost killed him for doing it. There is medicinal pot/THC for dogs but it is different than humans and you must go via a vet to be safe.

concreteblue

(626 posts)
4. Cats love to eat fresh leaves.
Sun Mar 25, 2018, 06:40 PM
Mar 2018

Every cat I have ever owned loved to nibble on the fresh green leaves. Never affected them at all as far as I could tell.

PoiBoy

(1,559 posts)
5. My dog loved to get high with me...
Sun Mar 25, 2018, 07:54 PM
Mar 2018

...whenever I "packed the pipe" she would jump up on my lap and watch me eagerly and expectantly... after a couple of hits she would jump down, lay on the floor and stare at the wall clock for about 45 minutes...

Sure do miss that girl...










Runningdawg

(4,590 posts)
8. Let me start by saying
Thu Mar 29, 2018, 08:19 AM
Mar 2018

no one ever encouraged my cat to smoke and he lived to be 21 years old, was never sick a day in his life and died in his sleep. Kitty liked a bong hit. Just one, a small one. It started when he would stick his head down the chamber of the bong after we had smoked. He became soooo insistent that we started leaving a little smoke for him. He didn't do it every time or even every day, but several times a week he would let you know what he wanted. Afterwards he would go mess with the dogs, pig out and then sleep. He wasn't interested in raw leaves or any edibles and cat nip had no effect on him.
Our current cat will sniff the container occasionally but that is where her curiosity ends.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Cannabis»Is Marijuana Toxic to Cat...