Now
50°
Tue
55°
Wed
60°
by Emma Underwood
HUMBOLDT, Calif. — New data is highlighting a reminder for pet owners: marijuana exposure remains a recurring issue for animals across the country.
A new report from Trupanion found nearly 3,400 marijuana toxicity claims involving pets in the U.S. and Canada between 2020 and 2025; 1,567 of the claims came from the U.S. Of those, 332 happened in California, according to the company’s analysis.
Nick Vinzant with Trupanion said the findings come from claims submitted through insured pets and likely represent only part of the overall number of exposure incidents.
Because the report reflects only pets covered through Trupanion policies, Vinzant said the actual number of exposure cases is likely higher.
While California recorded the highest total number of claims in the report, Vinzant said the state’s rate of incidents was generally consistent with the national average when accounting for the number of insured pets. The company also looked at the financial impact associated with treatment following exposure.
“This can vary depending on your location and the severity of the case, but we found that, on average, it’s going to cost around $800 to treat for marijuana toxicity,” Vinzant said.
Trupanion provides medical insurance coverage for pets and helps owners prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses, covering up to 90% of eligible medical bills when accidents or illnesses occur. According to Vinzant, exposure incidents often happen quickly because animals are naturally curious and rely heavily on their sense of smell. “Pets are curious. They have excellent senses of smells. They can get into things quickly,” he said.
The company encourages pet owners to keep cannabis products stored securely and out of reach to reduce the risk of accidental exposure.
With thousands of reported claims over the past several years, the report serves as a reminder that marijuana products can pose a risk to pets if they are not stored safely.
—
Report a correction or typo.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.