can cats get high from second hand smoke

Cats can be affected by secondhand smoke, including cannabis, but for them it is more like poisoning and irritation than an enjoyable “high.”

What secondhand smoke does to cats

• Tobacco, vape, and cannabis smoke all contain chemicals that cats absorb when they breathe, and even from residue on their fur (thirdhand smoke).

• Cats in smoky homes have higher risks of asthma, lung cancer, and especially malignant lymphoma, with one study showing about a 2–2.5× higher risk compared with cats in smoke‑free homes.

Can cats get “high” from weed smoke?

• Yes, cats can experience cannabis intoxication from secondhand marijuana smoke, but it is usually distressing , not fun.

• Reported signs include agitation, disorientation, wobbliness, drooling, vomiting, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, urinary incontinence, and in severe cases seizures or coma.

• A published case of a cat exposed to cannabis smoke described alternating agitation and apathy, extreme hunger bursts, increased thirst and urination, and inability to eat or drink normally during episodes.

Tobacco / vape secondhand smoke

• Secondhand tobacco smoke increases the risk of respiratory disease (like asthma and bronchitis) and cancers in cats, especially lymphoma and some oral cancers linked to toxins ingested during grooming.

• Thirdhand smoke (residue in carpets, furniture, and on fur) is a big issue because cats constantly lick their coat and paws, pulling those chemicals into their bodies.

What you should do to protect your cat

• Do not blow smoke near your cat or “hotbox” a room with them inside; vets strongly advise against smoking anything around pets.

• If you or someone else smokes, keep it strictly outdoors, away from open windows and vents, and never in small enclosed spaces with the cat.
• Keep all cannabis products, edibles, vapes, and tobacco products locked away; many pet intoxication cases come from animals eating edibles or plant material.

• If your cat seems wobbly, overly sleepy or agitated, drooling, vomiting, or acting “weird” after exposure to smoke, contact a vet or emergency clinic and be honest about what they were exposed to.

Quick takeaway

• Yes, cats can get “high” from secondhand marijuana smoke, but it is really a form of toxic exposure , not entertainment, and it can be dangerous.

• Any kind of smoke (tobacco, vape, cannabis) is bad for cats’ lungs and long‑term health, so the safest approach is a completely smoke‑free home for them.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.