隨著現代社會對大麻合法化的逐步推進，越來越多的人將其用於紓壓或醫療用途。然而，許多飼主忽略了在寵物周圍吸食大麻的潛在風險。

事實上，大麻對寵物（尤其是狗、貓及其他小型動物）可能造成嚴重的健康影響，無論是直接攝入還是吸入煙霧，都可能引發健康問題。以下我們將從攝入、電子煙及二手煙三個層面，詳細探討大麻對寵物的影響、風險以及如何保護牠們。

攝入大麻的風險

寵物，尤其是狗和貓，對四氫大麻酚（THC）具有高度敏感性。牠們大腦中的大麻素受體數量遠多於人類，導致其對THC的耐受性極低。即使只是少量攝入，也可能引發嚴重中毒症狀。

常見中毒症狀

• 嗜睡、步態不穩
• 迷失方向、敏感性增加（對光和聲音）
• 嘔吐、食慾減退
• 瞳孔放大、眼神呆滯
• 抽搐、癲癇、肌肉震顫
• 體溫過低、心跳過慢
• 嚴重時甚至昏迷

危險來源

• 直接攝入： 吃下大麻花、食物（如餅乾或糖果）。
• 誤食濃縮物： 吸食用的電子煙筆、煙彈。

特別是在誤食電子煙產品時，中毒症狀往往更加嚴重，甚至需要送往24小時急診進行靜脈注射脂質乳劑（ILE）治療及抗癲癇藥物控制。

二手煙的潛在威脅

根據美國防止虐待動物協會（ASPCA）的資料，大麻對貓（以及其他寵物）具有毒性，無論以何種形式攝入都不安全。

不僅是攝入大麻，吸入二手大麻煙霧也對寵物健康構成威脅。雖然少量偶爾接觸不一定致命，但持續暴露或大量煙霧直接吹向寵物，可能引發呼吸道疾病。

不同寵物的反應

• 狗： 長期暴露於二手煙霧，容易患上眼部感染、過敏和呼吸系統疾病，甚至增加患肺癌的風險。
• 貓： 吸入二手煙的貓罹患淋巴瘤（一種淋巴結癌症）的風險約是普通貓的兩倍，且更容易患上氣喘等呼吸系統疾病，這些疾病往往需要長期治療甚至每日使用吸入器。
• 鳥類： 對空氣污染特別敏感，暴露於煙霧中容易引發嚴重的呼吸道問題。
• 兔子： 呼吸系統敏感，煙霧可引發呼吸急促、腸胃不適。
• 爬行動物（如蛇、蜥蜴）： 代謝慢，吸入煙霧或食入THC後中毒反應持久，甚至會呼吸困難。
• 小型齧齒類（如老鼠、倉鼠）： 煙霧或食物中的THC對其代謝壓力極大，可能出現體溫降低和四肢顫抖。

電子煙的風險

隨著電子煙的普及，寵物誤食電子煙筆或液體的案例逐漸增加。電子煙液含有高度濃縮的THC或尼古丁，對小型動物尤為危險，可能導致腸胃阻塞或急性中毒。應將電子煙筆和液體妥善收納於寵物觸及不到的高處或上鎖的櫃子內。

如何保護寵物免受大麻危害

• 安全儲存： 大麻及相關產品應遠離寵物放置，尤其是高濃縮產品。
• 避免室內吸食： 在有寵物的室內吸食大麻或電子煙應特別小心。若無法避免，應確保空氣流通，例如開窗通風或使用空氣清淨機，並且避免讓寵物與自己待在同一房間中，減少其吸入煙霧的機會。
• 教育與防範： 讓家人和訪客了解大麻對寵物的危害，避免無意間危害寵物健康。
• 觀察異常症狀： 如發現寵物出現異常，應立即聯繫獸醫或毒物控制中心。

作為飼主，我們有責任確保寵物的健康和安全。寵物無法理解自己吸入了什麼，也不知道那種感覺意味著什麼，因此，我們應避免讓牠們接觸到可能對健康有害的物質。無論是攝入、吸入或誤食電子煙液，這些危害都可能對寵物造成致命影響。在大麻使用日益普及的背景下，理解其對寵物的潛在風險，並採取必要的預防措施，才能有效保護牠們的健康和幸福。

 

大麻在台灣為二級毒品，請勿以身試法

-

The Impact of Marijuana Exposure on Animal: Understanding the Risks for Pets

As marijuana legalization progresses in modern society, more people use it for relaxation or medical purposes. However, many pet owners overlook the potential risks of using marijuana around their pets.

In fact, marijuana can cause severe health problems in pets (especially dogs, cats, and other small animals), whether through direct ingestion or inhaling smoke. This article will explore the effects and risks of marijuana on pets, covering ingestion, vaping, and secondhand smoke, and discuss preventive measures.

Risks of Marijuana Ingestion

Pets, especially dogs and cats, are highly sensitive to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Their brains contain significantly more cannabinoid receptors than humans, making them extremely vulnerable to THC. Even small amounts can lead to severe poisoning symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Poisoning

• Lethargy and unsteady gait
• Disorientation, increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Vomiting and decreased appetite
• Dilated pupils and a vacant stare
• Tremors, seizures, and muscle twitching
• Hypothermia and slow heart rate
• In severe cases, coma

Sources of Danger

• Direct Ingestion: Eating cannabis flowers or edibles (like cookies or candies).
• Ingestion of Concentrates: Consuming vape pens or cartridges.

Particularly in cases involving vape products, symptoms are often more severe, requiring emergency care such as intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy and anticonvulsant medication.

Potential Threats from Secondhand Smoke

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), marijuana is toxic to cats (and other pets), regardless of the form.

Not only through ingestion, but inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke can also harm pets' health. Occasional minor exposure may not be deadly, but prolonged exposure or direct smoke blown into pets’ faces can cause respiratory problems.

Reactions in Different Pets

• Dogs: Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to eye infections, allergies, and respiratory diseases, including an increased risk of lung cancer.
• Cats: Cats exposed to secondhand smoke have twice the risk of developing lymphoma (a type of lymph node cancer) and are more prone to respiratory issues like asthma, which often require long-term treatment or even daily inhaler use.
• Birds: Extremely sensitive to air pollution, birds can develop severe respiratory issues when exposed to smoke.
• Rabbits: Due to their delicate respiratory systems, rabbits may experience labored breathing and digestive discomfort from smoke exposure.
• Reptiles (like snakes and lizards): Slow metabolism makes the toxic effects last longer, and respiratory distress can be life-threatening.
• Small Rodents (like mice and hamsters): THC exposure causes metabolic stress, leading to hypothermia and trembling.
  

Risks of Vaping

With the increasing popularity of vaping, there are more cases of pets ingesting vape pens or liquids. Vape liquids often contain highly concentrated THC or nicotine, which are particularly dangerous to small animals and can cause gastrointestinal blockage or acute poisoning. Always store vape devices and liquids out of pets’ reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

How to Protect Pets from Marijuana Hazards

• Safe Storage: Keep cannabis and related products out of pets’ reach, especially concentrated products.
• Avoid Indoor Use: Be extra cautious when using marijuana or vaping indoors around pets. If unavoidable, ensure proper ventilation, such as opening windows or using an air purifier, and keep pets in a separate room.
• Education and Awareness: Inform family and guests about the dangers of marijuana smoke to pets, preventing unintentional exposure.
• Monitor for Symptoms: If your pet shows any unusual behavior, immediately contact a veterinarian or a poison control center.

Conclusion

As pet owners, we are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of our pets. Pets cannot understand what they are inhaling or how it makes them feel, so it is our duty to prevent their exposure to potentially harmful substances. Whether through ingestion, inhalation, or accidental consumption of vape liquids, these hazards can have fatal consequences. In the context of increasing marijuana use, understanding the potential risks and taking necessary precautions is crucial for protecting our pets' health and well-being.

參考資料（Reference）：

https://chfa.net/resources/blog/588-the-risks-of-marijuana-vaping-and-smoking-for-pets

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/marijuana-intoxication-in-dogs-and-cats

https://earthmed.com/blog/is-secondhand-weed-smoke-bad-for-dogs-cats

https://www.webmd.com/pets/dogs/thc-poisoning-dogs

https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/comments/1h7y2mw/should_i_be_worried_i_smoke_weed_around_my_cat/