Can Cats Get High From Blowing Smoke In Their Face?
Us humans who enjoy smoking weed don’t really see second-hand marijuana smoke as a big deal. Second-hand smoke or “blowing shotguns” is some people’s preferred way of enjoying THC.
But what about our furry friends?
Can cats get high from blowing smoke in their faces? Yes, cats can get high from blowing smoke in their faces but doing so can harm your cat more than you think.
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ToggleIs It Okay To Blow Smoke In Your Cat's Face?
Cats are tiny when compared to humans. Blowing smoke in a cat’s face will affect them much more negatively than it would a human. Cats also breathe primarily through their noses and not their mouths, this makes it harder for them to avoid smoke that’s being blown in their face.
Full-spectrum marijuana is harmful to cats. Blowing smoke in your cat’s face is akin to animal abuse. If you do this to your cat then you are a terrible person who should have never adopted a cat in the first place.
If you know somebody who does this to their cat(s) then you need to immediately call them out on it. We’ll go over it in more detail below, but the gist of it is that cats will get extremely anxious (whether or not you can see it) and the smoke will cause lung inflammation that likely makes your cat feel like their insides are on fire.
It is NOT okay to blow smoke in your cat’s face, doing so is animal abuse.
Is Weed Or THC Toxic To Cats?
Full-spectrum cannabis and THC are toxic to animals. Full spectrum means pure weed without any of the chemicals or alkaloids removed from it. The reason we specify full spectrum is because there are certain properties and ingredients in weed that aren’t harmful to cats, such as CBD which we will discuss more below.
However it’s not just full-spectrum weed that you should be concerned about. THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is also VERY harmful to cats and pets in general.
Pet owners should be aware of the dangers of THC toxicity in animals. Most of the time cats are able to overcome any marijuana or THC ingestion episodes without any issues, but there is still a chance that your cat could be harmed and/or killed by marijuana or THC
THC toxicity in cats can lead to to exacerbation of any pre-existing conditions such a seizures or heart issues. Your cat may have an underlying heart issue that you didn’t know about, consume or inhale THC, and all of a sudden you’re making an emergency trip to the vet because your cat’s heart is about to quit beating.
So while it may seem funny to blow smoke in your cat’s face, it wouldn’t be so funny to watch them die because their tiny little kitty heart couldn’t keep up with the chemicals that it was forced to ingest.
If your cat has inhaled or ingested any type of marijuana or THC extract then you need to call your vet immediately for further guidance.
Is CBD Safe For Cats?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana. Humans have used CBD medicinally for decades. Proponents of CBD claim that it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Chronic pain, migraines, inflammation are all ailments that are allegedly helped with CBD.
But CBD doesn’t stop there, it is also allegedly able to help with other ailments ranging from epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and even autoimmune diseases. However, this is what CBD is supposedly helping humans with.
What about cats? Is CBD safe for cats? Does CBD have any medicinal benefits for cats?
At first glance CBD does appear to be very safe for cats. There are anecdotes of people who say CBD has caused their pet to become overly drowsy or given them an upset stomach. Oftentimes this is linked to pets taking large doses of CBD and those maladies tend to go away when the dose is lowered.
The primary issue with cats taking CBD is that there is no regulation involved when it comes to CBD dosages or how CBD is manufactured for pets. A study from a few years ago found that many products claiming to have CBD in them actually had very little or none at all.
That same study also found harmful contaminants in these CBD products. Cats are small and are much more sensitive to these contaminants. If you’re going to give your cat CBD then you need to follow these rules:
1. Check with your cat’s veterinarian regarding dosage
2. Make sure you only use products that have the National Animal Supplements (NASC) or U.S. Hemp Authority seals directly on the product’s packaging.
3. Only CBD products made specifically for cats should be used.
4. Try to find products that use a very mild carrier oil such as coconut oil, MCT (medium-chain triglycerides), or hemp oil.
Can Cats Get High From Secondhand Smoke?
Yes, cats can get high from secondhand smoke. But it’s not going to be enjoyable for them and it can be detrimental to their internal organs.
One factor when determining how high someone gets is their size. Someone who is 4’11 and 90lbs will get high a lot faster than someone who is 6’1″ and 300lbs. Cats are much smaller when compared to humans.
It’s one thing if you’re enjoying some THC in the privacy of your own home and your kitty comes and sits on the couch with you. It’s an entirely different thing to take your cat and forcefully blow smoke in their face.
What Happens When Cats Inhale Weed Smoke?
Cats who inhale weed or THC are going to get much higher than many humans would get. Because they’re so small compared to humans, cats will be much more sensitive to the psychoactive THC that’s found in weed.
The effects of marijuana on your cat can be devastating and go way beyond them simply having dilated pupils. Marijuana toxicity in pets is a real thing that all pet owners should be worried about!
After blowing smoke in your cat’s face, their heart rate will immediately skyrocket. So many cats out there have underlying heart issues, especially purebred cats, and second-hand smoke is more than enough to exacerbate these heart issues.
So let’s say your cat can deal with the faster heart rate (they can’t), well now you get to worry about their lungs. Your cat’s lungs are going to burn. They may even start panting. They’re going to get inflamed, they’re going to burn, and your cat will feel miserable. If your cat has any lung diseases then it only gets worse from there.
Your cat’s heart and lungs aren’t the only thing at risk here! Their overall quality of life can and will go down because even after the psychoactive effects of the THC wear off, your cat can still suffer lingering anxiety and depression.
Oh, but it gets worse!
Symptoms of marijuana intoxication in cats also include convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma, and even death.
What Should I Do If My Cat Has Consumed Weed or THC?
If your cat gets exposed to small amounts second-hand smoke from marijuana then you need to monitor them closely. If they show any signs of anxiety, excess vocalization, stomach upset, unnecessary lethargy, or anything out of the ordinary then you need to call the vet immediately.
If you have purposely forced your cat to inhale second-hand smoke then you need to call your vet immediately. The potential health effects of THC toxicity in cats can cause a variety of conditions and are too dangerous to take a chance with.
Cats Do NOT Enjoy Being High
Cat’s do NOT enjoy being high. Cats do NOT want you to blow smoke in their faces. Cats deserve owners who will not abuse them because they think it’s funny to force them to inhale second-hand smoke.
As a human, you probably enjoy smoking marijuana. Some very ill-informed people might think that since they enjoy marijuana, their cat will enjoy it as well. But you’re going to cause your cat harm in some way, shape, or form. It might be temporary, it might be ongoing, it might put them into a coma, or it might kill them.
If your cat has consumed THC in any form, call your vet!
Image Credits:
Featured Image: @studio_cats_meow
Tuxedo Kitty: @studio_cats_meow
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