Delta-8 for Pets: Is it Safe?

If you have a pet that suffers from anxiety, pain, or any other such issues, you might be tempted to treat their symptoms using cannabis. Now, it is not uncommon for people to use CBD to help their dogs and cats, particularly in old age. CBD is well known for being a potential alleviator of pain and inflammation, it can help spur on appetite in pets, help them sleep better, feel less stressed, and more. However, we then also have people ask whether it is OK to give their pets Delta-8 or Delta-8 THC. After all, if THC has benefits for human beings, such as pain relief, possible relief of anxious thoughts, and as a sleep aid, then it can do the same for pets, right? Well, it might surprise you to find out that Delta-8 THC is not safe for pets. Let's take a closer look at Delta-8 THC and what might happen if you give it to your pet.

Key Takeaways

• CBD is fine for pets and may have benefits
• Delta-8 THC is not safe for dogs.
• Delta-8 THC in quantities over 3 grams per KG of body weight may cause an overdose in dogs.
• Symptoms can include (but are not limited to): vomiting, dizziness, loss of coordination, diarrhea, shaking and trembling, seizures, a loss of bladder or bowel control, and general agitation.
• Call your vet if your dog has severe symptoms.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a specific type of THC found in both hemp and cannabis plants. Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid that is generally found in trace amounts in these plants, unlike THC and CBD, which are both major cannabinoids that can be found in large quantities. Because Delta-8 THC is only found in small quantities, extracting it from plants is not cost-effective or feasible. There's just not enough of it present in the plant matter to make it worthwhile. However, Delta-8 THC can be synthesized from other cannabinoids, mainly CBD. Through a process called isomerization, hydrogen atoms are added to CBD in order to form Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC is said to be far less potent than regular Delta-9 THC, although it is still psychoactive or intoxicating. It may still also have a variety of potential benefits for human beings.

Is Delta-8 The Same as CBD for Pets?

No, Delta-8 THC is not the same as CBD for pets. CBD is thought to have a variety of benefits for pets. These may include (but are not limited to) potential pain relief, the relief of inflammation, relief of stressful and anxious thoughts or behavior, help with trouble sleeping, and help with a lack of appetite. Many people choose to give their dogs CBD when they are scared or stressed out, as it has shown the potential to help calm them down and relieve anxiety. However, Delta-8 THC is not the same. First and foremost, CBD and THC are two totally different things. The main difference here is that CBD is not an intoxicant or psychoactive component, which means that it is not going to impair or intoxicate your dog, and it won't alter their state of mind. In other words, they won't feel high or different from CBD. However, although Delta-8 THC is much weaker than Delta-9 THC when it comes to your pets, it's not going to make a big difference. They're still going to feel extremely intoxicated from it. You obviously don't want your pet feeling intoxicated, especially because they don't know why they feel different. Just imagine if you felt intoxicated or high all of a sudden, but didn't know where it came from. You would be scared too. Moreover, THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in a dog’s body in different ways than with the cannabinoid receptors in the human body. THC can be toxic to dogs. In other words, if you give your dog Delta-8 THC, you are effectively poisoning them. THC poisoning is now, in fact, one of the most common types of poisoning that happens to dogs. Not only can it be a scary experience for dogs, but it can be very dangerous for their physical health.

Is Delta-8 Safe for Pets?

No, Delta-8 THC is absolutely not safe for pets. The way in which it metabolizes in a pet’s body, particularly dogs and cats, is much different than how it metabolizes in the human body. It is essentially poison for your dog. Furthermore, dogs are shown to have many more cannabinoid receptors in both their brains and bodies. This means that they are far more susceptible to the psychoactive and intoxicating effects of THC. In other words, your dog is going to feel much higher and more intoxicated from Delta-8 THC than you as a human would. It hits them much harder. It can be a terrifying experience for any pet. Not only can this affect their mental health and mental well-being, but it can also have physical ramifications. Some common side effects for dogs that have consumed THC include difficulty walking, tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, general weakness, lethargy, seizures, and in some cases even death.

Can You Overdose on Delta-8?

There is no evidence that Delta-8 THC, or other forms of THC, can make you overdose, at least not to the point of death. Yes, it is possible to consume a little bit too much Delta-8 THC, with adverse reactions including vomiting, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, and even loss of consciousness. So, while you may have some negative reactions to Delta-8 THC, especially if you take too much of it, there is no evidence that would indicate that it can lead to death. As far as your pets are concerned, especially dogs, it is possible for them to overdose, although it is rare. That said, there have been instances where the consumption of high levels of THC has been fatal for dogs. It is thought that the lethal Delta-8 THC dose for dogs is around 3 grams per kilogram of body weight or 3 grams for every 2.2 pounds. Although, this is not a rule that is set in stone. Either way, giving your dog or cat Delta-8 THC is best avoided.

Consuming Delta-8 Can Cause the Following Symptoms in Pets

If all of a sudden you can't find your stash of Delta-8 THC, and you notice that your dog has any of the following symptoms, they may have consumed your Delta-8 THC. The following are symptoms to watch out for.

Loss of Coordination

One of the most common symptoms in dogs associated with Delta-8 THC is a general loss of coordination, or in other words, intoxication. They may not be able to walk straight, they might bump into walls, they might be a little shaky on their legs, or not able to get up properly at all. Just like humans might appear high, so might your dog.

Dull and lethargic

Another common symptom when dogs take THC is general lethargy and tiredness. As mentioned above, THC hits dogs much harder because of their increased level of cannabinoid receptors. Just like weed can make you feel tired and lethargic, it will do so for dogs, but the effects will be much more severe. You might notice that your dog is so lethargic that they fall asleep or even just lose consciousness.

Dilated pupils

Just like your pupils might dilate if you take too much THC, so will the pupils of your dog. If you notice that the pupils of your dog are extremely large and dilated, chances are they got into your stash.

Urinary incontinence

THC will bind with the cannabis receptors in your dog's brain that control the function of the bladder and other bodily functions. This means that if your dog takes too much Delta-8 THC, they may lose control of their bladder or other functions. They may start to leak either feces or urine. They may even lose total control of their bladder or bowels.

Vomiting

Other common symptoms are vomiting and dizziness. The Delta-8 THC is also going to bind with the receptors in your dog's brain that control coordination and balance. Your dog may start to feel very dizzy, appear wobbly on its feet, fall down and be generally uncoordinated, or even start vomiting.

Tremors and shaking

In some cases, dogs and cats may also suffer from extreme shaking and tremors due to Delta-8 THC, which could be the THC causing stress and anxiety because your dog doesn't know why it feels different, or it could be because of the way in which Delta-8 THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in your dog’s mind.

Agitation

You might also just notice that your dog is generally agitated and feels uncomfortable. They could exhibit various behaviors such as a loss of appetite, excessive licking, destructive chewing, trembling, hiding in uncommon spots, or excessive panting.

Irregular Heart Rhythm

Delta-8 THC can also bind with the receptors in your dog’s brain that control the autonomic nervous system, which could result in their heart rate increasing quite drastically. There may be some cases where this is very severe and may result in a heart attack.

What to Do if Your Pet Consumes Delta-8

If your dog consumes some Delta-8 THC, the worst thing that you can do is panic. Follow the steps listed below if your pet consumes Delta-8 THC.

Be Calm

The worst thing you could do here is panic. If your dog is not exhibiting any symptoms or negative side effects, there is no reason for you to panic whatsoever. Every dog is different, and there might not be any need for concern at all. However, if you do notice some symptoms occurring, staying calm and following the next steps on our list is your best bet.

Find Out How Much They Ate

If at all possible, find out how much THC they ate. Remember that doses of around 3 grams of Delta-8 THC per kilogram of body weight can potentially be fatal. So, if you have a 10-kilogram dog that ate 30 grams of Delta-8 THC, there is probably some cause for concern. However, if that same 10-kilogram dog only ate one gram, there's probably not much cause for concern.

Give Them Space and Monitor Their Behavior

The best thing you can do now is to simply observe your dog and keep an eye on them. If you see that your pet is acting completely normal, then there is no cause for concern. However, if your dog starts displaying any of the symptoms that we have talked about so far, then you may need to take some action. Remember, don't panic.

Give Them Water

Giving your dog plenty of water is always a good idea because it helps prevent dehydration, plus it can also help flush the THC out of their bodies.

Call A Veterinarian if the Symptoms Worsen

If your pet does not have any symptoms or only has mild symptoms, you probably don't have to do anything except for weight and keep an eye on things. However, if your dog starts experiencing some very severe symptoms and side effects, then it might be time to call a vet. If you see that your dog is no longer able to stand up at all, is no longer conscious, or is suffering from paralysis or seizures, then it is time to call a vet.

How to Prevent Your Pets from Consuming Delta-8

Let's quickly go over some good ways to prevent your dog from consuming Delta-8 THC.

Make Sure your Delta-8 is Kept Out of Reach

Just make sure that your stash is not within reach. Just don't keep it at ground level or on a table or chair that is low to the ground. Dogs can't climb very well or open up cupboards, so this shouldn't be a big problem.

Keep Your Stash in a Sealed or Locked Container

Always keep your stash in something sealed or locked that your dog can't open. Once again, your dog doesn't have thumbs, so this shouldn't be too difficult. A locking drawer or cupboard will do just fine.

Keep Your Stash Hidden

It is best if you just keep your stash totally hidden, out of reach, and out of sight.

How Long Does Delta-8 Last?

Delta-8 will last for anywhere between three to five hours if vaped, but up to 10 hours if consumed via edible format. That said, exactly how long Delta-8 THC will last in a pet is not really known.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line here is that while CBD is perfectly fine to give to your pets, while THC, whether Delta-8 or otherwise, is not. However, Delta-8 THC is perfectly fine for humans, and if you'd like to try some for yourself we recommend our Botany Farms Delta-8 Tropical Mix Gummies, our Delta-8 THC Mango Gummies, and our Delta-8 THC Pineapple Gummies. Thanks for stopping by! Check out some of our premium human-only Delta 8 THC here at Botany Farms: