California Tops Nation in Pet Marijuana Toxicity Cases
A recent report from pet insurance provider Trupanion has revealed that California leads the nation in marijuana toxicity cases among pets. Since 2020, the company has processed 1,852 claims for marijuana-related health issues in pets across the United States, with California accounting for 428 of those cases.
The data highlights growing concerns about pet exposure to cannabis products as more states legalize recreational marijuana use. Colorado follows California with 84 reported cases, while nine states have seen more than 40 marijuana toxicity-related claims during the same period. Notably, Florida is the only state among the top nine with more than 40 cases where recreational marijuana remains illegal.
“Only 4% of pets in the US are insured, and we’re not the only insurance company, so we have to assume there’s a higher number involved,” said Erin Cooper, a claims specialist at Trupanion. The average claim amount in California was $810, underscoring the significant veterinary costs associated with marijuana toxicity.
Veterinarians are urging pet owners to be vigilant about preventing marijuana exposure and recognizing the signs of toxicity. “They’re going to be really wobbly, sensitive to sound or touch, drowsy or lethargic, and have urinary accidents,” explained Dr. Leilani Im, a veterinarian at Humane Society San Diego. In severe cases, pets may become comatose or experience seizures.
Treatment for marijuana toxicity can include induced vomiting, fluid administration, and monitoring of vital signs. Experts attribute the rise in cases to increased cannabis accessibility following legalization. Cannabis has been legal for medical use in California since 1996 and for recreational use since 2016.
Pet owners are warned about the risks of both human cannabis products and unregulated pet-specific CBD and THC products. “There’s a lot of CBD and THC products out there that aren’t regulated, so you could have other things hidden in them that you don’t know about,” Dr. Im cautioned.
Veterinary professionals stress the importance of keeping marijuana products out of pets’ reach and being honest with veterinarians if exposure occurs. “We just want to know what it was so we can fully understand how to treat your pet in a timely manner,” Dr. Im emphasized.
As marijuana legalization continues to expand across the United States, pet owners are advised to remain aware of the potential risks to their animals and take necessary precautions to prevent accidental ingestion.
