Is Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Bad For Your Pets?

There's nothing quite like enjoying a smoke from the comfort of your home. Kicking back and sampling some of your favourite strains is many a cannabis enthusiast's ideal way to unwind after a long day. However, while this is pleasant for those partaking, others might not find it so nice. No, we're not talking about a nagging roommate; we're on about your household pets. Have you ever considered what your cannabis smoke is doing to them? Allow us to give you a breakdown of all you need to know about enjoying herb in the company of your pets.

Can animals get high from secondhand cannabis smoke?

Smoking cannabis is bound to draw at least a little attention. The complex aromas associated can quickly fill smaller spaces. While a whiff of secondhand cannabis smoke is unlikely to cause a buzz in any people in the vicinity, how do pets fare? Due to their smaller size, your pets can be much more susceptible and sensitive to the effects of cannabis. So if you're heavily smoking around your animals, be cautious!

How does cannabis affect dogs?

Giving edibles to your dog or blowing smoke in their face is obviously highly irresponsible and a massive no-go when it comes to pet ownership. Not only is this a really stupid and bad idea, but it can also result in some severe and even life-threatening reactions for your dog. While some lingering cannabis fumes are unlikely to cause major issues, more prolonged exposure, or feeding cannabis to a dog, can result in shaking, drooling, and possibly even seizures in extreme cases.

How does cannabis affect cats?

Just like dogs, it should come as no surprise that cats can also be impacted by weed smoke, and even have the potential to get stoned. Typically being much smaller than most dog breeds, the effects of cannabis on cats are profoundly more intense. Research from 2018 found that THC was discoverable in the bloodstream of cats exposed to secondhand smoke—showing that they metabolise it in very much the same way as humans (Janeczek et al.). However, this doesn't mean that they will enjoy the effects like with catnip. Instead, cannabis smoke exposure can cause very similar symptoms as in dogs.

What about CBD?

Okay, so it seems like THC-laden cannabis is off the table, but does CBD have the same relationship when it comes to pets? Not exactly. In fact, many veterinarians are starting to recommend the non-intoxicating cannabinoid, in forms such as CBD oil and treats, in hopes of promoting healthy appetite, sleep, and immune function in both cats and dogs. However, even if you're smoking a CBD strain around your pets, they still might experience irritation from the smoke itself, so be considerate about where you're lighting up in relation to your pet.

Is it bad to smoke weed around pets?

As you can probably tell by this point, we'd certainly advise against smoking around your pets. Due to their greater sensitivity to smell and taste, smoking can not only bring out reactionary symptoms at the time of smoking, but pets can also face long-term ailments such as bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and in some extreme cases, cancer. Of course, these long-term issues can be seen as rare, but remember that pets don’t always have the same choice as humans do to get up and leave a smoky room or communicate their issues.

Thirdhand smoke risks

It's not only secondhand smoke that can carry risks for your pets. In fact, thirdhand smoke can also impact the quality of life of your animals. Thirdhand smoke is when lasting remnants from smoking linger in an environment or stay on furniture, clothes, or even your pet's bedding. As they are highly sensitive, this near-constant interaction with leftover cannabis residue can also have a negative impact on your pets. To be on the safe side, be sure to thoroughly clean your surroundings if you regularly smoke inside your home.

What to do if your pet gets into your stash?

It's not just smoking that is a cause for concern for your pets. Even if you're a responsible pet owner and keep your cannabis-related activities away from your animals, what happens if they get into that momentarily unattended stash jar and gobble a whole bunch of bud? It's time to make an emergency dash to your local veterinary practice. While on the surface, your pet might seem perfectly fine, don't chance it; take them immediately to get treated. It's certainly better to err on the side of caution in this particular situation. You can undoubtedly grow more weed or buy more edibles, but your beloved pet is irreplaceable!

Other health risks for your pets from secondhand smoke

There's no getting around the issue that smoke isn't the best thing to put into our bodies. Even the most die-hard of smokers are aware of this. Of course, cigarettes carry more chemicals than a freshly rolled joint, but the risk, while reduced, is still there. And the risk it poses to your pets cannot be understated. Avoid contributing to long-term chronic health problems and short-term irritation of the lungs and eyes by keeping the smoke well away from your cat or dog.

What if you love smoking weed but have pets?

We've spoken in depth about some of the risks surrounding using cannabis around pets, but what can you do if your options are limited and you still love smoking weed? Well, we've got some suggestions in mind that just might make all the difference!

Vaping

As we know, smoking can be harsh on the lungs of both yourself and your animals. This is one of the leading reasons many cannabis enthusiasts are making the switch from smoking to vaping. By bypassing the entire combustion factor, the vapor disperses quickly into the environment and doesn't leave any lingering smoke that could cause issues down the line.

Ventilate your room

This might not sound appealing in the dead of winter, but cracking a window open during your smoking session could make a world of difference. Providing a little ventilation means your room won't get all clogged up with cannabis smoke. This will help to prevent any immediate irritation to your pet, as well as any thirdhand smoke from settling into your surroundings.

Keep an eye on your pets

If space is an issue and you've got to smoke in the same room as your animals, just be sure to keep an eye out for them. If your pet is behaving oddly and not its usual self, they could very well be feeling the effects of your smoking. The same goes for leaving your stash in an easily reachable place. Ensure your pets and stash jar are well within view at all times. If you suspect they've eaten some, take them immediately to the vet.

Keep your pets safe

Bottom line; keep your pets safe. Is having a smoke really going to take precedence over caring for your beloved pets? If the answer is yes, then some rethinking might be in order. The same goes for social smoking situations if one of your friends thinks it's funny to blow smoke into the face of your dog! Certainly not cool. So follow our steps, be aware of the risks, and most of all, enjoy responsibly.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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