Dogs are very naughty; all it takes is a little moment of inattention and they will swallow whatever is in front of them.
The owner should never leave chocolate, edibles, or other potentially harmful items around dogs or in areas where they can get to them.
But even the best of us make mistakes like this.
As cannabis is legalized in more and more countries, the demand for edibles is also increasing.
Currently, cannabis is legalized in 19 states in the U.S.
As demand grows, so does the variety of edibles that are now available.
You might say that the demand for edibles in the past few years has grown at a similar rate to dog ownership!
But how safe are these products if a dog were to accidentally eat one?
I have written an article about how dangerous 5 mg edibles are to dogs.
But in this article, we’ll explore what would happen if your dog ate 10mg of edibles, how edibles affect dogs, whether that’s the reason for concern, and whether a visit to the vet is required.
What is an Edible?
Any food items that are infused with marijuana containing either THC or CBD, and then eaten are considered edibles.
Many different foods are regularly infused with cannabis and used as a means of getting high.
The key distinction between edibles and conventional marijuana is that edibles take longer to start working and that their effects last slightly longer.
This is because the cannabis in edibles needs to be digested and absorbed by the liver before it starts to work, whereas when cannabis is smoked its effects can be felt very, very quickly.
What are the main varieties of edibles?
Edibles come in all kinds of forms. People use cannabis in an increasing variety of forms and foods as the demand for them rises continuously.
The most popular types of edibles are:
- Cookies,
- Brownies,
- Chocolate,
- Gummies,
- Mints,
- Sodas
- Potato Chips and many more…
What are the main strengths or potencies of edibles?
The lowest dose that is typically offered on the legal market is between 2.5 mg and 5 mg.
But, you could also find edibles with dosages that go up to 100 mg.
Edibles containing more than 100 mg are most likely not sold legally.
There are a variety of milligram forms and intensities accessible when it comes to the strength of edibles, as there are many new cannabis users who could be substantially affected by a larger dose.
But still there are many users who are quite tolerant to high doses, which is why there is a huge range of edible strengths in terms of milligrams.
What is cannabis and why do people take it?
Most countries still declare cannabis to be illegal. It is regarded as an intoxicant, and many authorities continue to be cautious about the drug and the potential harm it can do.
Cannabis containing CBD only, on the other hand, has no intoxicating effects and is only used medically.
Patients who suffer from arthritic pain, panic attacks, etc. often benefit from CBD cannabis.
CBD cannabis is effective as an appetite stimulant, pain reliever, and relaxation aid.
Cancer patients frequently use it because it helps them manage their pain and restores their appetite, which is frequently lost as a result of chemotherapy.
Cannabis with THC, on the other hand, has a fun side to it and in most cases it’s the main reason why people use it.
It also has a calming effect, however it can cause serious hallucinations, emotional disturbances, and behavioral changes.
In some instances, cannabis with THC is also regarded as being highly harmful. It raises heart rate, which can be catastrophic for some users who already have heart issues.
Even though cannabis can be dangerous sometimes, in most cases it is harmless and most people enjoy consuming it.
In most cases it makes people feel relaxed, calm and helps them sleep better. Some people use it as a way of escaping reality and a good way to relax after a long and stressful day.
How powerful or potent is a 10 mg edible?
A regular dosage for the typical marijuana user is a 10 mg edible.
This amount will help you relax, relief pain, and help with sleeplessness.
If it is a THC-containing edible, it is highly possible that hallucinations and euphoria would manifest, but aside from that, a normal marijuana user won’t experience any significant issues.
However, if the person is using edibles for the first time, most experts suggest to start with small doses and to slightly increase it over time.
What happens if your dog has eaten a 10 mg edible?
If your dog ate a 10mg edible, the most important thing to know is whether it ate a THC or CBD edible.
You won’t need to worry if your dog consumes a CBD edible that is THC-free.
The likelihood is that your pet will develop a greater appetite, but other from this issue, there is no reason for worry.
Only the other ingredients in the food your dog consumed should be taken into consideration; if it contains a lot of sugar or chocolate, problems may result and you will likely need to either make your pet vomit or take it to the vet.
On the other hand, if your dog ate 10mg of edible THC, there will be obvious behavioral changes.
The dog will become dizzy, appear distracted, and may even act aggressively without reason.
This dose will not result in serious poisoning or the death of your pet, but the outcome will also depend on the size of your dog.
Calling or going to the vet is required, and the dog needs to be watched for the following 24 hours.
Just like people who encounter edibles for the first time, they can have big problems if they eat them carelessly, so animals, on which these substances act much more intensively, can have huge problems if they consume a lot of edibles.
How quickly do edibles take to work?
The main difference between how marijuana affects dogs and people is that the effect on dogs is much stronger and lasts much longer.
Dogs need between 30 and 90 minutes for edibles to take action, and the effects last for 12 to 24 hours.
Why are chocolate edibles dangerous to dogs?
When it comes to chocolate edibles, your dog is in a double danger.
The toxicity of chocolate to dogs is also well known, in addition to the unpleasant effects that your dog can have from the cannabis presence in chocolate.
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine that is toxic to dogs.
It is crucial to consult a veterinarian right away and take action if a dog happens to eat it.
Is there anything that can be done at home to help?
If your dog ate 10mg edible right in front of you and it happened in last 15 minutes it’s acceptable to make your dog throw up.
On the other hand vomiting is not a good idea if you are unsure of exactly when your dog consumed your edible.
In either case, if you are unable to visit the veterinarian, it is better to phone him and follow his instructions completely.
How will a vet treat a dog that has eaten a 10 mg edible?
It likely won’t be required to take your dog to the clinic after contacting the vet, but if you are unsure whether or not your dog ate 10mg edibles and there is a chance that your dog ate more than this amount, the vet will likely advise that you do.
If he feels it is necessary, he may also incorporate vomiting in this situation.
Additionally, the vet may employ techniques to clear your dog’s stomach.
Another possibility is that your dog will need to stay for observation for up to 24 hours if the vet determines that it’s in a really bad condition.
Final Thoughts
So what should you do if your dog ate 10mg edible?
The best and smartest thing to do is to prevent this from happening in the first place.
Dog owners must be very cautious when leaving stuff that could harm their dogs.
Owners should not bring drugs or use them anywhere near their dogs. Dogs are unaware of the danger that can bring and it’s the owners duty to take care of it.
However, if such a thing has already happened and your dog already ate some of the dangerous substances, the best thing to do is to immediately call the vet or go straight to the clinic.
Do not hesitate to visit the vet because you had a larger amount of cannabis than it is legal to have at home, or because you are scared that people will judge you for being irresponsible.
Your pet is far more important than that.
In case you are unable to visit the vet, at least consult him and do everything your vet is suggesting.
Photo credits
Chocolate brownie photo by iMattSmart on Unsplash