Accidental Child and Pet Exposure: Signs and What to Do

Urgent first: a child may have eaten cannabis

In the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. NIDA lists this number and says that for severe symptoms or immediate danger you should call 911 or go to an emergency department. [1] Poison Control says getting help online or by phone is free and confidential. [2] Call even if the child seems fine. Effects from eaten cannabis can start 30 to 90 minutes later and may not peak until about 3 hours after, though timing varies a lot. [2] Outside the US see poison help by country.

Urgent first: a pet may have swallowed cannabis

Call a veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic or an animal poison hotline. Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) is for people. Two animal hotlines state their numbers on their own pages. ASPCA Poison Control lists (888) 426-4435, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and says a consultation fee may apply. [3] Pet Poison Helpline lists 855-764-7661. [4] Pet Poison Helpline's page says not to give home antidotes and not to induce vomiting without consulting a vet or the helpline. [4] Because that is the helpline's own advice, ask them before doing anything at home.

This page keeps human and veterinary information separate. Human sources do not apply to animals, and the reverse.

Why this happens

Edibles, gummies, chocolates and drinks can look like ordinary treats. NIDA says children eating cannabis edibles such as gummies is a growing health concern, that it usually happens by accident and that it can result in hospitalization and serious illness. [1] A review in a pediatric journal adds that unintentional edible ingestions increase in places that legalize and commercialize cannabis at retail. [5]

US poison center data for children under 6 show how fast this grew. Reports of edible exposures rose from 207 in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021. Most (97.7%) happened at home, and 22.7% of children were admitted to hospital. [6] Among cases with a known outcome, 70% had central nervous system depression, meaning they were unusually sleepy or hard to rouse. [6]

Eating large amounts of products with delta-8 THC has also led to medical emergencies, including in children. [1] In poison center data reported by the FDA, 41% of delta-8 THC exposure cases involved people under 18, and 82% of the unintentional exposures were in children. [7] The FDA also raised concern about marketing that appeals to children. [7]

Signs reported in children

A review of children admitted to hospital found many had been exposed to high-concentration products such as edibles, resins or vaping liquid, and that these products can lead to sedation and slowed breathing. [8] NCCIH says that in a group who became ill after accidental exposure to THC candies, the children generally had more severe symptoms than the adults and stayed in hospital longer. [9]

The signs can be vague. In a ten-year hospital study of 29 toddlers with positive cannabis urine tests, neurological symptoms occurred in all, and more than 60% of caregivers denied any knowledge of exposure. [10] The authors describe the symptoms as non-specific, making diagnosis hard. [10] If there is any chance a child ate cannabis or a cannabinoid product, tell the poison center or the emergency team so they can check for it. There is no reason to hold back out of fear of judgment; the goal is care for the child.

Signs reported in dogs

A 2024 veterinary study of 223 dogs with confirmed marijuana or THC toxicity found common signs of wobbliness or loss of coordination (88.3%), unusual sensitivity to touch or sound (75.3%), lethargy (62.5%), urinary incontinence (45.7%) and vomiting (26%). [11] Twenty-two dogs were hospitalized and all survived. [11] Most owners (68%) denied the possibility of exposure, and the authors say marijuana toxicosis should be considered even if the owner denies exposure or a human urine drug test is negative. [11] An older veterinary review lists additional signs, including drooling, dilated pupils, tremors, slow heart rate and, with higher exposures, seizures, and reports deaths after dogs ate food products made with concentrated THC butter. [12] It says clinical effects begin within 60 minutes of eating in animals. [12]

Cats and other animals: Proper evidence not found in the sources read for this page, which covered dogs. Call a veterinarian or animal poison hotline for any species.

The FDA says animal poison control centers have indicated a sharp overall increase in accidental exposure of pets to delta-8 THC products. [7] The FDA has not approved CBD for any use in animals and recommends pet owners talk with their veterinarians. [13] For wider pet guidance see pet and animal poisoning.

Prevention

• Poison Control advises keeping any household cannabis, especially "food" or "candy" forms, locked away and well out of reach of children. [2]
• The FDA advises keeping delta-8 THC products out of reach of children and pets. [7]
• Mix-ups with ordinary treats can happen at any age. Poison Control gives a real example of an adult who mistook a medical cannabis candy bar for chocolate. [2]

More on delayed effects of eaten products is in edible delayed effects and accidental overconsumption. For a wider list of warning signs see when to seek urgent help after cannabis.