My Dog Acts Weird When I’m High (6 Reasons & Safety Tips)

Dogs are curious and intelligent creatures, but they don’t always understand you. They may be sensitive to our moods and react accordingly but when you’re high, your dog might act all weird and start working out of character.

Why does this happen? Is there something wrong with your dog? Or is it just that they don’t like how you smell when you’re high? 

One theory is that dogs can smell marijuana on you and know when you’re high. So, they act weird because the cannabinoids in marijuana interfere with their brain activity, changing their moods, emotions, psychology and behavior. Hence, even second-hand smoking can be harmful to dogs.

Well, dogs don’t say they are high and cannot refuse consent to such exposure but as a dog parent, you can tell that their body language or behavior has a way of sending a message. So, do not deliberately expose your pooch to marijuana smoke or edibles.

Dogs can also sense your emotions at this time. It’s possible that you’re acting weird so your pooch is trying to wrap his head around such unusual behavior, resulting in a similar reaction from him. Probably, you are suddenly become less affectionate or more aggressive toward him.

On the other hand, some dogs are trained to sniff out illicit substances such as cocaine or heroin. They’re so good at it due to their keen sense of smell and will often signal their owners if they detect any hidden narcotics.

If you’ve ever wondered why your dog acts weird when you’re high, keep reading! 

Reasons Why Your Dog Acts Weird When You’re High!

If you’re a pothead, you should know that your dog may have some weird reactions to your highness. Here are five reasons why your dog acts weird when you’re high:

A Lot of Stuff Is Strange To Them!

Your dog doesn’t know what’s going on. Don’t expect him to understand your altered state of mind. Everything from how you speak to moving will be weird and confusing to your pet. If your dog lives with you and has access to your bedroom, the dog may detect the odor of drug/ weed coming from your clothes or belongings, making your dog weird.

Dogs Can Smell Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)! 

Dogs have a fantastic sense of smell and can tell when you’re high by smelling the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on your breath or clothes. THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. It is one reason dogs act so funny around people who smoke weed — because dogs have cannabinoid receptors in their brain, so they know what is going on! 

They’re Scared!

Dogs are naturally afraid of unfamiliar or dangerous things – including their owners when they’re high! Dogs don’t understand why their owners act so strange and get scared by their behavior. They may even bite out of fear!

If your dog is worried by your behavior while under the influence, give them extra attention and try to calm them down as much as possible until they get used to it.

You’re More Boring Than Usual!

When you’re high, your reaction time is slower, and your movements are less fluid. Because your dog craves attention, he may see this as an invitation to play or attempt to engage with you somehow (or both). Either way, your energetic pooch is probably trying to engage with you because they think you’re somewhat dull and uninterested in them!

You’re Louder Than Usual!

You might be slurring words or talking too loudly. Maybe they’re just being protective, but dogs tend to get concerned when their owner acts strangely (primarily if they’re not used to seeing that behavior).

It Can Be a Reaction To Stress!

Dogs are sensitive to their owner’s moods and emotions. Suppose you’re stressed or anxious while smoking; they also pick up on those feelings. They may become restless or aggressive if they sense something is wrong with their owner or another family member.

They notice changes in eye contact and facial expressions. It’s no secret that our faces change when we’re high.

How Do Dogs Sense When Humans Are High?

A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 times stronger than ours, so there’s no way he can’t tell what you’ve been doing.

You might notice that your dog stays close to you and acts nervous when they smell weed on your breath. It is because dogs have a much stronger sense of smell and olfactory receptors than humans do, so they can detect the scent of marijuana even if it’s only present in small amounts.

For example, if you smoke at home (where there is no ventilation), then your dog will be able to smell the weed on your clothes and other items in the house.

It’s not just that dogs can smell weed on us; the chemicals in our bodies change when we get high. When we take drugs, our brain releases dopamine — a chemical that makes us feel euphoric.

Our bodies also produce more acetylcholine, which causes rapid heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils. The scent of these chemicals gets released into our sweat and changes how we smell to our dogs.

Why Does My Dog Not Like Me When I’m High?

Many people wonder why their dogs seem to hate them when they’re high. Here’s why it’s happening — and what you can do about it. Well, your dog doesn’t necessarily dislike you but they are very sensitive and they could become high when exposed to weed smoke causing emotional or behavioral changes.

Also, it could be that you are acting differently around them and you’ve become harsher or less affectionate.

If your dog reacts when you smoke weed, it’s essential to understand why he’s acting that way — because the effects of marijuana on pets can vary from one pooch to another.

If your dog has a strong personality, he may react negatively by barking at you or even growling. If your dog is more submissive, he may try to avoid you as best as he can until the effects of the marijuana wear off. It’s because they know that something is wrong with you! 

Tips To Ensure Your Dog is Safe When Smoking

Smoking is terrible for your health, and it can be even worse for your dog. Smoke contains nicotine, which is highly toxic to dogs. It can also cause respiratory problems and make your pet more susceptible to other illnesses.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs that live in homes where someone smokes are more likely to develop lung cancer than dogs that don’t live in smoking homes. As a responsible pet owner, you should ensure that your dog is safe when you smoke. 

Here are ten tips for keeping your canine companions safe from the dangers of smoke:

1. Avoid smoking near your dog at all costs — even if it means going outside, so they don’t have to smell it!
2. Keep cigarettes and other smoking materials away from your dog at all times. Smoking around your dog could also affect their health. It could make them more prone to developing respiratory issues such as asthma or bronchitis.
3. Please do not allow anyone to smoke around your pet or near any entrances (such as doorways).
4. If possible, don’t allow people who smoke to visit your home if you have a dog— especially one who may be susceptible to nicotine poisonings, such as a puppy under six months old, an elderly animal, or one with respiratory issues (asthma or bronchitis).
5. Use an air purifier when smoking indoors (if possible)
6. Use a carrying case or an enclosure to transport your dog when smoking indoors
7. Keep the windows open for proper ventilation
8. Do not allow your dog to sniff at cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products.
9. Rinse hands after smoking before handling a canine buddy
10. Be alert if your furry fellow is acting strangely after being around tobacco smoke (like vomiting), and take them to a professional veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment!

Consider Quitting Smoking For Your Own Health & Well-being – And Your Dog’s!

FAQs

Can Dogs Get High From Vape Smoke?

Dogs can get high from vape smoke, but not from the same ingredients in marijuana. While e-cigarettes don’t contain THC, they contain a liquid called e-juice made of propylene glycol, Nicotine, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings.

These chemicals have harmful effects. For example, nicotine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and lethargy in pets because it affects their nervous system. 

Can I Smoke Around My Dog? 

The short answer is no; you shouldn’t smoke around your dog. It’s not a worthy indication to smoke in the house or anywhere near your dog because of the health risks associated with second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke may cause cancer in canines.

Can Dogs Get High Off Secondhand Smoke?

The answer is yes; dogs can get high off secondhand smoke. Dogs are susceptible to Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke. The effects of secondhand smoke on dogs are:

• Shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Coughing and wheezing
• Lethargy or weakness
• Excessive thirst or urination

Can Drug Detection Dogs Smell If You Are High?

The answer is yes! A trained drug dog can tell if you have recently smoked marijuana or taken cocaine. Drug detection dogs are trained to sniff out the scent of drugs on a person or in their belongings. These dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can detect trace amounts of drugs that humans do not consistently detectable.

Can Blowing Smoke In A Dog’s Ear or Face Make Them High?

Yes, blowing smoke in a dog’s ear or face can make them high. However, please be aware that it is not safe and can cause serious harm to your pet if you do this. Blowing smoke in your dog’s face or ear is a form of animal abuse. It may seem like fun at first, but there are many dangers involved with this behavior.

Final Thoughts On Why My Dog Acts Weird When I’m High

Dogs are the most loyal and affectionate creatures on earth. They can sense your mood, and the tone of your voice, even if you’re tired or not feeling well. But when your dog acts weird when you’re high!

If your dog has never seen you high before, they may react oddly at first when they see you performing differently after smoking weed. It can include barking, grumbling, and acting more energetic than usual.

This article looked at a few reasons dogs might act weird when their owners are high. One possible explanation is that the dog can smell the marijuana on the owner and is reacting accordingly.

Another possibility is that they are high causing them to act strange. Regardless of the reason, it is essential to know how your dog might affect you when you are high.

To conclude, canines can sometimes respond contrarily when their owners are high because of the changes in their owner’s mood or scent, and the smell of the active smoke/marijuana ingredients.

Thanks for Reading!