A half gummy's impact on a 5 kg frame
For a Chihuahua, half a THC gummy can deliver a dangerously concentrated dose—their tiny bodies lack the mass to buffer the effects. Small breeds often show symptoms within 20 minutes: glassy eyes, trembling, or inability to stand. Some vocalize distress with high-pitched whines, while others become eerily silent.
Heart rate is a critical marker. Feel their chest—if beats are faint or slower than 70 bpm, this is urgent. Wrap your dog in a blanket (their temperature may drop) but avoid overheating. Never induce vomiting; their compromised coordination increases aspiration risk.
Managing a Chihuahua's delicate system
Tiny dogs dehydrate faster when nauseous. If your Chihuahua vomits more than twice in an hour, the vet may need subcutaneous fluids. Their small veins make IVs challenging, so early intervention is key. Bring the gummy wrapper—THC concentration varies widely by brand.
Even if symptoms seem mild, small dogs can crash suddenly. One moment they're leaning against you, the next they're non-responsive. This unpredictability is why home monitoring isn't safe for such a small breed after THC exposure.
Why the other dog isn't out of the woods yet
While your second dog didn't eat the gummy, Chihuahuas often share food covertly. Check between couch cushions or under rugs—crumbs you'd overlook could be a dose for another small dog. Observe for subtle signs like slightly delayed blinking or sleeping more soundly than usual.
If both dogs normally beg together, the unaffected one might seem confused by their companion's behavior. Keep them separated to prevent stress—an impaired dog's odd movements can trigger protective instincts in others, leading to uncharacteristic growling or guarding.
Post-crisis care for tiny dogs
After veterinary treatment, your Chihuahua will need a recovery space free from jumps or falls. Line a laundry basket with blankets as a temporary 'nest.' Offer water via syringe if they can't lap normally, but wait 4-6 hours before trying food.
This incident highlights how little THC it takes to endanger small pets. Going forward, store edibles in smell-proof containers—Chihuahuas' keen noses detect sweets through many wrappers. Consider keeping your dogs in separate rooms during snack times to prevent future scares.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Marijuana / THC Poisoning in Dogs emergency guide.