Dog Is 'On His Own Planet' After Accidentally Eating Something He Shouldn't

An accident that led to complete panic for a dog owner has made other pet parents cautious about keeping special stashes out of reach.

Dog owner Carrie Smith immediately contacted an online vet after realizing her black Labrador snuck into her "garden gummy stash." She told Newsweek that he ate about two 10 mg cannabis gummies that were left in a box.

Her February 16 video posted to the TikTok account @carrxsmith, which was filmed after seeking help, showed viewers what her dog was going through after eating her gummies. He was holding a toy in his mouth in a relaxed manner, not letting it go, but his face was droopy, and his eyes looked a little bloodshot.

The caption reads: "He was truly on his own planet there for a min."

Garden gummies are cannabis edibles that can contain different amounts of CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Smith said she lives in a rural area with no emergency veterinarians nearby, but she was immediately able to get hold of an online vet. She had a phone consultation with the vet and poison control for about $30 in which they calculated her dog's weight and how much he ingested.

"They were able to give me such peace of mind that he would be okay!" she said. "[They] just told me to watch him and as long as he could use the restroom on his own and wasn't vomiting, I could just observe him at home and he would be fine."

She stayed on the floor with him for over two hours to make sure he was feeling all right, especially since the face he gave her didn't make her think he was fine.

After reflecting on the incident, she thinks the fact that he weighs over 70 pounds helped him tolerate the amount. He was "out of it" for about six hours, but has since made a full recovery.

Like Smith, you might be surprised to discover that accidents like this happen more than you'd think. In fact, recreational drugs landed a spot in the Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2023, according to a list compiled by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The poison control center reported that there is a 2.3 percent exposure to recreational drugs with THC exposures continuing to rise. However, the biggest exposure gain in this category for the year was from mushrooms.

The TikTok video had over 22.6 million views as of Monday with several users sharing similar experiences.

"When this happened to me my vet said, 'Turn the lights off and put on Led Zeppelin he'll be fine,'" wrote one viewer.

Another added: "Mine got the zoomies, finished a bowl of dog food, and then passed out for like four hours."

Cannabis is a term used to refer to the products derived from the cannabis sativa plant. The two main cannabinoids found in this plant are tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, and cannabidiol, also known as CBD. Marijuana refers to the part of the cannabis sativa plant with substantial amounts of THC.

While both THC and CBD come from the same plant, they have different effects on the body. THC is primarily responsible for the effects on a person's mental state, producing the intoxicating, psychoactive "high" feeling.

Each U.S. state has different laws on the legality of cannabis. In Smith's case, she lives in the state of Washington where both THC and CBD are legal.

If you come home to find your dog has raided your cannabis stash, whether it contains THC or CBD, the first step is always to contact your vet immediately after discovering what has happened. You'll want to determine the type of cannabis and try to figure out how much was ingested. If they ate a food-related item, look at the other ingredients as some might be more harmful or toxic.

While THC is present in both smoked marijuana and food products, there is more concentration and toxicity in foods, according to Better Vet. For example, marijuana flower buds will contain between 10 and 30 percent THC—less than gummies, brownies, or other THC food items.

Your vet will determine what immediate care is needed. If instructed to stay home and monitor your dog, be sure to give your dog a warm, safe space. Reduce sensory stimuli, keep your dog hydrated, and monitor their temperature.

Your dog will likely show symptoms between one and three hours after consumption. Owners should be on the lookout for the following symptoms as they might be signs of cannabis toxicity:

While it is rarely fatal for a dog to ingest, it is always best to inform your vet and make sure your dog gets the proper care.

"I want people to know they should never avoid the vet or lie to the vet for fear of being judged," Smith said. "They are there to help and I promise, have seen worse!"

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.