Cats and secondhand marijuana smoke

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meowmeowmeow

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So, I would never try to "smoke my cat up" or purposely get her high. I would be too worried about her. Would smoking around a cat (with windows open and plenty of fans on) be just as harmful? Can cats get high or be affected by being in the same room as the smoke?

I'm in a bit of a bind--just moved out of parents house, they started starving the cat, I found a place for her to stay for a couple months with cat lovers--unfortunately I couldn't take her with me because I'm staying with my boyfriend while saving up for an apartment, and his family is allergic. Now the people who were watching her are moving in a month, so my boyfriend's mom suggested we try having the cat stay in my boyfriend's room to see if anyone still gets allergic reactions.

The catch is, the room she'd be confined to is the same room the smoke would be in. Would this be unhealthy for her, even if just for 3 weeks? Is it better to find a different place for my cat?
 

orientalslave

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All forms of smoking are bad for both the smoker and those getting the smoke 2nd hand, humans and animals alike.
 
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meowmeowmeow

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Ok, looks like I had better look for another place for her to stay for those few weeks. Thanks for your responses!
 

mrblanche

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Cats are a little like birds.  They can be very sensitive to things in the environment that might not bother another animal, say, a dog.  There are lots of theories of why this is, but all anyone knows for sure is that there are everyday things that can make a cat very ill. 

Since marijuana smoke was almost certainly not around when cats evolved, I would be nervous about exposure to it.
 
 

daddyincr

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second hand marijuana smoke IS DEFINITELY NOT HARMFUL TO ANYONE. smoking marijuana may be harmful in only way way--

the high temperature is harmful to lungs. the active ingredients are not dangerous to anyone. also unlike tobacco there are no

additives in marijuana.
 

Willowy

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second hand marijuana smoke IS DEFINITELY NOT HARMFUL TO ANYONE. smoking marijuana may be harmful in only way way--
the high temperature is harmful to lungs. the active ingredients are not dangerous to anyone. also unlike tobacco there are no
additives in marijuana.
Hmm. Inhaling ANY smoke (even, say, barbeque smoke) isn't good for anyone, so why would inhaling pot smoke be different? I'm sure it's not as bad as tobacco smoke, but it can't possibly be totally harmless. I wouldn't want a cat to get high, either. They can't understand that kind of thing.
 

luvmyparker

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Certainly not trying to encourage it at all, but Parker, his lost sister MJ and Sami all lived in a tiny basement for a few years. The "owner" of Parker and MJ smoked marijuana CONSTANTLY down there, to the point you could hardly see anything. MJ actually loved the stuff and would try to steal it from you. All 3 cats had no effects, even after years of being exposed. Thats not to say it can't happen, just in my experience, they were fine. I really don't think a couple weeks would make the cat ill. Especially if the room has an open window and is well ventilated. Again, not saying its something people should do...but in a case like this where its temporary, it may be ok.

Also, I don't believe the weed smoke had any effect on any of the cats here.
 
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orientalslave

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second hand marijuana smoke IS DEFINITELY NOT HARMFUL TO ANYONE. smoking marijuana may be harmful in only way way--

the high temperature is harmful to lungs. the active ingredients are not dangerous to anyone. also unlike tobacco there are no

additives in marijuana.
Don't go thinking it's 'just the additives' that make second hand tobacco smoke harmful - the stuff in it from the tobacco itself are harmful especially to people with pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma.  Also a lot of pot smokers roll a joint with some tobacco as well.

And even plain pot produces a lot more than just the active ingredient when burnt.
 

mrblanche

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Well, let's just be upfront about this:  The definition of "intoxication" is "poisoning."  No intoxication is harmless, and that includes the intake of nicotine, alcohol, canibinoids, alkaloids, etc.
 

feralvr

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Well, let's just be upfront about this:  The definition of "intoxication" is "poisoning."  No intoxication is harmless, and that includes the intake of nicotine, alcohol, canibinoids, alkaloids, etc.
:yeah: Absolutely. Good idea, Meowmeowmeow, find another place for your kitty to stay, if you can. Best of luck with this. :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

nerdrock

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 Also a lot of pot smokers roll a joint with some tobacco as well.
Sorry, a bit off topic, but I think this depends on where you live. Around here, most people use bongs, pipes, vaporizers or one hitters (a metal tube that looks like a cigarette). Very few people (expect teenagers) roll joints around here, unless they're out somewhere (like a concert where there's security). Even in public here, people usually use one hitters or pipes. Tobacco is rarely smoked with marijuana here.

Back on topic, if you can't find another place to keep her, maybe you can convince the smoker to get vaporizer (as a bonus, they would use less marijuana for the same effect).
 

sleepguitarist

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second hand marijuana smoke IS DEFINITELY NOT HARMFUL TO ANYONE. smoking marijuana may be harmful in only way way--
the high temperature is harmful to lungs. the active ingredients are not dangerous to anyone. also unlike tobacco there are no
additives in marijuana.
Actually second hand weed smoke puts me in hospital as I have asthma...
Imagine being paralysed by fear as you struggle to breathe, unable to speak, unable to ask for help. That’s what an asthma attack feels like.
Just saying
 

catmo

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Hello, I will simply state I toke and have for decades. I had a cat her name was Dallas. She died nearly a year ago. She was 21. She had been exposed to marijuana smoke since the day we brought her home freshly weaned. Will second hand pot smoke hurt your cat? No.

The only issue would be if the cat had repertory problems like asthma or an allergy.

You stated the room would be ventilated, fan, open window (make sure it is screened), the cat should be perfectly fine.

The best part, you get to snuggle w/ kitty.

Peace, C_MO  
 

furmonster mom

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Hmm. Inhaling ANY smoke (even, say, barbeque smoke) isn't good for anyone....
Incense?  People burn that all the time, releasing small amounts of fragrant smoke into the air for ambiance, odor control, or even just for mood therapy.

Native Americans, as well as many other cultures, have used herbal smoke as a healing aid for centuries.  Certain elements of certain herbs are only released when burned, so inhaling controlled amounts of smoke is the only option.   It may not be ideal for the lungs, but teas and tinctures can only accomplish so much for certain ailments.  The key is controlled ventilation.

That being said, I don't think cannabis smoke is the best thing for cats. 

As has been mentioned, felines are very sensitive to smells and drug effects (one little whiff of catnip!).  Some may be more (or less) affected than others, but I do feel that it should still be avoided if possible.
 
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sarah ann

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The problem is asthma or allergies don't always show up until exposure to the allergens. This means that exposure to dust smoke or a change in environment may trigger an animal that was previously healthy.

My horse developed asthma this year. We had received some bad hay that was dusty and moldy. Plus everyone likes to burn in this area so there is a lot of smoke in the air. Sometimes you can see ash drifting down which sure makes a mess on the car.

If we had lived in a healthier environment she probably would have stayed healthy and never had any issues. I definitely suspect there is some severe environmental contamination where I live. I have 1 cat with asthma, 2 more with allergies, 2 out of 3 dogs with allergies and the horse with asthma.

I have to buy a ton of steroids to keep everyone healthy. My vet told me it is the particle size that tends to trigger asthma. The smaller particles are more of a health issue.
 

jag007

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Well, you can tell by the responses who smokes & who doesn't. I have raised 14 dogs ,9 cats (4 still here) and ALL lived LONG lives . EVERYONE of them lived to or well past the average life span of the animal and/or breed. Big dogs, Samoyed , Golden Retreiver, Akita, Black Lab,- Medium dogs, All-American Mutts, PitBull, , - Small dogs- Pomeranians. They lived 14 to 19 years old. NONE had lung problems and they all lived with hemp smoke daily, although not much. Unless your boyfriend chain-smokes blunts, which I doubt, , you kitty will be fine!
 
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