This Common 4/20 Mistake Is Sending More Texas Pets to the Vet

Alright… 4/20 just wrapped up. The smoke’s cleared, the snacks are gone, and somewhere in Texas, there’s a dog still side-eyeing the coffee table like it owes him money.

If you’ve got pets and cannabis under the same roof, this is one of those “let’s not turn your house into a cautionary tale” conversations. And hey, no judgment here… you already know where I stand on it.

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Your Dog Thinks Your Edibles Are His Edibles

This isn’t rare anymore in Texas; it’s happening a lot more than people realize. A new study from Veritas Veterinary Partners shows cannabis-related pet emergencies have doubled, from 51 cases in 2021 to 102 in 2025.

Yeah… doubled. And according to the study:

• 8% of pet owners say their pet has gotten into cannabis
• Only 22% are actually locking it up
• 25% said they quit completely after an incident

That last one tells you everything you need to know… once you see your dog go through it, you don’t mess around anymore.

That Brownie Isn’t Just a Brownie… It’s a Bad Idea Buffet

Here’s where things go sideways fast. It’s not just the THC that’s the problem.

Dr. Allison Rohde Newgent, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, says edibles come with bonus chaos:

• Chocolate
• Artificial sweeteners like xylitol
• Wrappers and packaging

So what starts as “uh oh, my dog ate something” can turn into “we might need surgery” real quick.

She even notes some cases start as THC toxicity and end with intestinal blockages. So basically, your dog didn’t just get into your stash… they may have signed up for an overnight stay at the vet.

“Yeah… I’m Not Telling the Vet That” (Except You Should)

This part is honestly kind of wild:

• 38% of pet owners were too embarrassed to tell their vet what actually happened
• 47% went to AI tools instead of calling a professional

Easy Fix: Don’t Let It Happen

• Lock it up for real
• Don’t leave edibles out
• Be honest if something happens

Because your pet doesn’t know the difference between a brownie… and a really bad day.