New York Pet Owners May Be Missing a Serious Cannabis Risk at Home

As cannabis becomes more common in New York homes, veterinarians say pet owners may not realize the danger it can pose to their animals. A new study from Greater Staten Island Veterinary Services found many pet owners in the New York and New Jersey area are unaware of how dangerous cannabis products can be for pets.

Some pets are getting sick after eating cannabis

Researchers found that 1 in 20 pet owners said their pet has accidentally eaten cannabis. More than half of those happened inside the home, showing how easily pets can get into gummies, edible left within reach.

The study found that 42% of pets needed emergency treatment, with owners spending almost $130 for care. After going through that, 25% of pet owners said they stopped using cannabis completely.

Many owners don’t know the warning signs

One of the biggest concerns from the study was how many people don’t know what cannabis poisoning looks like in pets. Researchers found 52% of pet owners couldn’t name a single symptom of cannabis toxicity.

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I know that can't name one...but I don't have cannabis at the house. Some of the  symptoms include vomiting, trouble walking, low energy, shaking, or unusual behavior.

Owners say packaging needs better warnings

95% of pet owners surveyed said cannabis packaging doesn't do enough to warn people about the risks to pets. With cannabis products easily available in New York, veterinarians say safe storage matters just as much as keeping medications or household cleaners away from pets. If you have pets at home, experts suggest storing the cannabis products in sealed containers and keep them out of reach.