"Smoking near pets", is it bad for my furry friend?

By João R. Negromonte

What happens if you smoke near your animals? Can your pet get "high" from cannabis smoke? And if they do, is it harmful?

Discover everything about how this "bad habit" affects your animals.

Most of the time when someone uses the plant for adult use, whether to relax at home or at a concert, there’s always someone who ends up inhaling the smoke. For smokers, it’s not a big deal. After all, what’s the problem with the good old fresh smell of cannabis? On the other hand, it can be disturbing for non-smokers. This makes perfect sense when we consider the strength of the smell.

But what about the animals? Can they get "high" from the smoke?

The Professor of Endocannabinoidology at the Department of Biosciences and One Health (BSU) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Erik Amazonas, who is a veterinarian, holds a master's degree in Animal Science and a PhD in Genetics, says the following:

Yes. Smoke is harmful to all animals (including us humans). There is a terrible habit of blowing smoke in animals' noses, as an absurd and irresponsible way to "medicate" the animal by some people. The problem for animals is not the inhalation of cannabinoids, but rather the smoke. Inhaling cannabinoids through vaporization (not combustion) is not a problem and is even a therapeutic route in permitted countries.

Erik Amazonas

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Another issue is how animals experience the "buzz". While many of us enjoy it, pets have no idea what’s happening, and this can be a bit confusing for them.

What if they ingest it, what to do?

Here’s some good news: although smoke is harmful to your pet, fatal accidents due to ingestion are rare. The side effects are mostly adverse, such as vomiting, sleep problems, low blood pressure, drooling, and lethargy; however, they are usually short-lived and do not last more than 72 hours.

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Animals are at very low risk of dying from ingesting cannabis; in fact, the biggest problem is not the plant itself, but rather the products used in cultivation; almost everyone uses agrochemicals.

Furthermore, the Professor emphasizes that animals that consume cannabis, whether irregularly or not, show no lasting effects; that is, when the intoxicating effect wears off, they return to their normal behavior.

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If you love cannabis but also have pets, know that they do not necessarily share your enthusiasm. In fact, the terrible habit of blowing smoke in your furry friends' faces is not good for them. If you are a responsible "weed lover", you should also be responsible when it comes to caring for your pets.

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