Household danger · 2 min read

Is Cannabis / CBD / edibles dangerous for cats?

No — dangerous

No. Cats exposed to cannabis — smoke, edibles, or CBD products — can develop significant toxicity. THC causes disorientation, tremors, low temperature, and in larger doses, seizures. Cannabis-infused edibles often combine THC with chocolate or xylitol.

If your cat has just eaten cannabis / cbd / edibles

  1. Move your cat away from the cannabis or CBD product.
  2. Don't induce vomiting at home — this is dangerous in cats.
  3. Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet immediately.
  4. If you can't reach a vet, call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply.
  5. Note how much cannabis or CBD product was eaten, when, and your cat's weight.

What's the full picture?

Cats are very sensitive to THC. Even passive smoke exposure in a small room can cause signs; ingestion of edibles is a medical emergency because of combined risks (THC + chocolate + often xylitol).

CBD products for pets are increasingly sold in the UK. Legitimate products have negligible THC and are used under veterinary supervision, but human CBD oil, gummies, or tinctures may contain significant THC.

Cats typically develop low body temperature (not high, unlike caffeine), slow heart rate, and profound disorientation. A stumbling, 'drunk' cat with dilated pupils and dribbling is a classic presentation.

Symptoms to watch for

30–90 minutes
Wobbliness, dilated pupils, drooling, dribbling urine, low body temperature.
2–24 hours
Persistent disorientation, tremors in larger doses.

If you're worried right now

Call your vet or out-of-hours emergency vet first. For poison advice, the Animal PoisonLine (UK) is on 01202 509000 — 24/7, charges apply. Your vet can also call the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) directly.

Alcohol no Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks) no Chocolate no

About this guidance

Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.

This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.

Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.

Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team

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