By RQS Editorial Team


Psychoactive substances have a rich past within human history. Many different cultures all across the world seem to have held at least one type of psychoactive substance, from mushrooms and vines to booze and cacti, in high esteem. To this day, humans maintain a close relationship with altered states of consciousness, whether that be for personal development or addictive fulfilment. It’s interesting to note that humans are not alone in the quest for an altered state of consciousness. Many other animals in nature have been observed partaking in substance use. For example, elephants are known to get drunk from fermented fruits, and jaguars have been spotted chewing upon vines that seem to plunge them into a psychedelic state.

Can Dogs Get High?

Yes. Dogs can get high when exposed to cannabis that contains THC. Many anecdotal accounts exist of canines following their nose into a box of infused brownies. Careless cannabis users can also get their dog high through exposure to secondhand smoke; blazing a lot of weed in a room with poor ventilation forces dogs to breathe passive smoke lingering in the air.

THC, the principal psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis, affects dogs much differently than humans. The cannabinoid produces a high by binding to CB1 receptors, which is part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a widespread signalling network that helps to keep our physiological systems in balance. Because THC shares a similar structure to endocannabinoids, internal molecules that activate ECS receptors, it manages to tweak this system in a way that causing psychoactive effects.

Dogs also possess an ECS. However, their brains possess a much greater[1] amount of CB1 receptors. This means cannabis produces a much stronger, and often toxic, effect. If your canine manages to scoff down your edible stash, you’ll want to find out how to get your dog unstoned—and quickly. Discover what to do if your dog gets high below.

CBD for Dogs: What We Know So Far

How Do Dogs Get Accidentally High?

Dogs can accidentally get high in a number of ways, from ingesting THC-infused treats to inhaling secondhand smoke while their owners are blazing blunts and bongs. Check out the main ways your dog is likely to get high.

Edibles

Edibles refer to any dish or snack that’s infused with THC and other cannabinoids. In humans, edible cannabis produces a profound psychoactive effect, as the liver converts THC into the more potent metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC.

Not only are cannabis edibles toxic to dogs because of their THC content, but other ingredients, such as chocolate, can also make dogs seriously ill.

Decarboxylated Weed

After buds are exposed to sufficiently high temperatures for a specific amount of time, they become decarboxylated. Cannabis users often decarb their flowers in the oven before making edibles to “activate” the material. Prior to decarboxylation, THC exists as the non-intoxicating cannabinoid acid THCA. During the decarbing process, the additional carboxylic acid group on the THCA molecule ejects, leaving THC behind. If your dog somehow manages to consume decarbed weed, you can expect them to become intoxicated and possibly ill.

Secondhand Smoke

If you’ve ever crammed yourself into a hotbox alongside numerous other smokers, you’ll know just how high you can get from secondhand smoke. The same applies to dogs, except the effect is much more profound. Those cautious of the health of their canines make sure to smoke in a different, well-ventilated room, if not outside. The more careless or forgetful among us may end up lighting up a room with their dog inside. Combust enough weed in a short amount of time, and you'll notice your dog starts to act differently than normal.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets High

What About Raw Cannabis?

Your dog shouldn’t get high if they manage to wolf down a couple of non-decarboxylated cannabis flowers. Raw buds, even those high in THCA, contain negligible amounts of THC before exposure to heat. However, vets state that raw weed can still produce a toxic effect[2] in dogs. Although THCA doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors in the same way as THC, raw weed can make dogs sick in the same way as ingesting a large number of inedible plants can.

What About CBD for Dogs?

Although THC and raw cannabis can cause adverse effects in dogs, many canines benefit from CBD—a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the plant. The ever-growing range of CBD products for pets includes treats and topicals. Owners use these products in an attempt to soothe their dog’s physical discomfort and reduce tension. However, CBD can still produce a number of side effects[3] in some dogs, including dry mouth, reduced blood pressure, and drowsiness.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets High

What Happens if Your Dog Eats Weed?

Cannabis affects different dogs in different ways; variables such as age, health status, and body size all influence the outcome. While rarely fatal, eating or inhaling THC can cause some dogs to become seriously sick. Owners can also experience a lot of worry after seeing a shift in their dog’s behaviour if they become stoned. So, what should you do if your dog gets high? Discover the signs to look for and the course of action you should take.

Signs That Your Dog Has Eaten Weed

If your dog gets stoned, you might notice a change in behaviour and several key signs. These include:

  • Twitching and tremors
  • Lethargy
What to Do if Your Dog Gets High
  • Involuntary urination
  • Hyperactivity
What to Do if Your Dog Gets High
  • Drowsiness
  • Disorientation
  • Coma
What to Do if Your Dog Gets High

What to Do if Your Dog Gets High

We get it; you probably feel irresponsible and even guilty, but you shouldn’t put off bringing your dog to the vet. You owe it to your furry friend to help them through this hard time and get them all the help that they need. Chances are, you don’t know exactly how much THC your dog has ingested or inhaled. Although the symptoms might not seem severe immediately, they could progress.

How Do Vets Treat Dogs That Ate Weed?

Once you arrive, the vet will examine your dog to assess the seriousness of the situation. If they appear to have ingested or inhaled a minimal amount of THC, your vet will offer tips on how to get your dog unstoned at home (more on that below). However, if your dog seems particularly ill, the vet will take their blood pressure and also conduct blood work and urinalysis tests to monitor organ function.

If the results of these tests indicate that your dog’s in trouble, the veterinary team will administer the appropriate treatments. These could include fluids, cardiovascular support, and anti-nausea medication.

What to Do if Your Dog Gets High

What to Do Once You’re Home

Whether the vet discharged your dog immediately or after tests and treatments, you can help your pooch by extending care when they arrive home. First of all, follow any instructions from your vet. Past that, provide emotional support for your dog, as they’re likely feeling shaken up from being stoned and having to go to the vet.

Your dog might also still feel stoned at this point. Make sure they’re warm and snug, with plenty of food and water available. If they’re still experiencing bouts of involuntary urination, encourage them to lie down on a patch of puppy training mats.

Once your dog seems settled, you also need to reassess where you keep your weed and how you use it. Lock away your edibles and buds in tightly secured containers, and place them high up in cupboards. Never leave your gear lying around, and never smoke weed with your dog in the same room.

How to Help Your Dog Recover From Being High

What else can you do to get your dog unstoned? Your pet could experience symptoms for up to 24 hours, so you need to stay attentive until all signs of intoxication have passed. Continually cuddle them, if they’re in the mood for it. As well as offering them some of their favorite treats, make sure they get a couple of full meals. Bland foods, such as boiled chicken and white rice, will keep them full without agitating their stomach.

Pets And Cannabis Toxicity: What To Do If Your Dog Gets High

Tips for Owners to Remain Calm

Watching your dog become lethargic and even unconscious after consuming cannabis will leave you feeling shaken. However, your pet needs your help. Remain level-headed and get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. You need to act quickly, but also know that it’s rarely lethal for dogs to consume cannabis.

You may also feel guilty after seeing your dog royally stoned, and exhausted after that visit to the vet. First things first: breathe. Accidents happen. But you need to learn from what happened and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Take the necessary steps to make your weed stash dog-proof, and keep your pooch at the forefront of your mind whenever you make edibles and use cannabis in the house.

Cannabis Toxicity In Cats

Although cannabis intoxication mostly affects dogs, with canines involved in 96% of cases[2], cats also experience this condition from time to time, making up 3% of cases. Cases of cannabis toxicity in cats also result from ingestion of cannabis products or exposure to smoke. Not as much is known about cannabis toxicity within cats. For example, the metabolic pathway is mostly unknown, as is the minimum lethal dose.

The signs of cannabis intoxication in cats can vary, and are sometimes quite extreme. Symptoms include disorders of consciousness, coma, convulsions, ataxia, depression, agitation, anxiety, vocalisation, hypersalivation, diarrhoea, vomiting, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypothermia, and mydriasis.

The route of action is the same as mentioned for dogs. Call the pet poison helpline for further advice based on symptoms.

Preventing Your Pets From Accessing Cannabis

Some of the easiest ways to prevent your dog or cat from ingesting THC is by minimising and eliminating any potential exposure. Smoking in a different room and securely storing cannabis edibles and products will minimise access. If you are growing indoors, secure your grow room to prevent your pets from entering the space and potentially chowing down on leaves and flowers. If you are growing outdoors, you can take several steps to secure your garden, such as fencing.

Medicinal Cannabis For Pets

Not all cannabis exposure is bad for pets. In fact, there is a huge emerging market revolving around CBD for animals. The presence of the endocannabinoid system within cats and dogs is why large accidental doses of THC can be potentially dangerous, and it's also the reason why people use CBD to encourage the well-being of their furry friends.

The non-psychotropic cannabinoid CBD is gaining traction within the (relatively new) world of infused pet treats. However, not much is known about the exact effects of cannabis molecules on pet health, so the best thing to do when looking to administer CBD to your pets would be to have a conversation with your veterinarian.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: