In the mountain town of Aspen, Colorado, a bizarre and hazardous phenomenon has emerged among the local dog population. Veterinarians in the Roaring Fork Valley have reported a significant increase in cases of “marijuana toxicosis” in pets.
While many would assume these animals are raiding their owners’ private stashes of edibles or dried flower, the true source is far more unusual. Dogs are increasingly becoming intoxicated after ingesting human waste found along popular hiking trails and camping sites. This trend has become so prevalent that local clinics now treat multiple cases every week, highlighting a hidden consequence of increased trail usage and public consumption.
A Biological Recycling of THC
The primary cause of this issue is the high concentration of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that remains in the human system after consumption. When individuals consume potent marijuana edibles and subsequently relieve themselves outdoors, the psychoactive compounds are not fully metabolized.
Instead, they are excreted in a state that remains biologically active. Because dogs are natural scavengers with a strong instinct for coprophagy, they often seek out these waste piles during off-leash walks. The result is a secondary ingestion of THC that is powerful enough to induce severe symptoms of intoxication in an animal that weighs significantly less than a human.
Symptoms and Veterinary Reports
Dr. Scott Dolginow, a veterinarian at Valley Emergency Pet Care, has documented seeing between three and ten dogs per week suffering from this specific form of poisoning. The clinical signs are distinct and often alarming for pet owners. Affected dogs frequently present with ataxia, which is a stumbling, uncoordinated gait.
Other common symptoms include dilated pupils, extreme sensitivity to touch or sound, and urinary incontinence. In more severe instances, dogs may experience a slowed heart rate or fall into a state of stupor. While the experience is physically distressing for the animal, most cases are not fatal and require the dog to be monitored as the effects of the drug gradually wear off.
Managing the Mountain Trails
The rise in these incidents has created a point of contention between pet owners and local land managers. Many owners are initially confused by their pet’s sudden illness, as they do not keep marijuana in their homes. However, trail-side encounters have become the common denominator.
Range supervisors and local officials emphasize the importance of following “Leave No Trace” principles, which include the proper disposal of human waste. Despite these efforts, the presence of waste near high-traffic areas like Hunter Creek continues to pose a risk. As long as public trails remain a site for improper waste disposal, the local canine population remains vulnerable to these accidental and peculiar intoxications.
In Aspen, dogs are stumbling into vet clinics with a bizarre condition: they are high on THC.
But they aren't eating their owners' stashes.
Instead, they are finding a secret source on mountain trails.
Here is the strange truth about why Colorado’s pets are intoxicated…🧵 pic.twitter.com/vG7fkMBcOQ
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) February 4, 2026