Is Marijuana Toxic to Cats?

[yuiyoshida]

Last edited Mon Mar 26, 2018, 07:39 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.

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https://www.thespruce.com/is-marijuana-toxic-to-cats-555055