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.