Weed is great. Dogs are great. But weed with dog hair in it? Not so great. In a state of desperation, you’ve probably considered just smoking whatever’s left in the bottom of the bag, even if it’s covered in Fido’s fur. But that may not be the best idea. Before you grind your next batch of allergen-laced weed, take a gander at these tips on how to get dog hair out of weed first.
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The Problem With Dog Hair in Your Weed
The adventures of pet ownership are filled with conundrums like dog hair in your weed. As ardent cannabis fans, we know that the presence of extra contaminants in weed can take away from the high. But not only is there a decrease in the quality of the bud, but you also have to worry about the potentially harmful effects of inhaling dog hair.
Inhaling weed with pet hair in it can aggravate allergies and affect your breathing. Not to mention, it’s just gross. We all know that dogs, no matter how clean they might be, are covered in dirt and bacteria. Dogs are playful creatures, so they’re often running about and getting their fur coats filthy along the way. So having little microscopic bits of fur floating around your lungs isn’t the most inviting thought.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to remove such contaminants from weed.
How to Remove Dog Hair from Your Weed
The best way to keep dog hair out of your weed is to be proactive and keep dog hair away from your stash in the first place. That means keeping your buds stored properly and away from your furry friends.
But, if you’ve already ended up with dog hair in your precious stash, there are a few tried and true methods for getting it out.
5 Ways to Get the Hair Out Quickly
It isn’t too hard to remove most of the dog hair from your weed. These methods are quick and accessible. They use readily available materials and don’t take too long to do. So you’ll be toking in no time.
Search and Destroy
The first and perhaps most common method is to pull out whatever hairs you can see in your stash. If you’re lucky enough, your dog’s fur will be a color that is easily discernible from your weed.
If not, you’ll need a pair of tweezers, a magnifying glass, a blindingly bright lamp, plenty of time, and a brand-new backbone and neck. And even then, unfortunately, you’re unlikely to get all the hair out.
Use a Grinder
While not the most reliable of methods out there, you can try sifting through your stash in a 4-piece grinder. In theory, the hairs should stick to the filter teeth. Just be sure not to grind it all the way or you’ll grind the dog hair up too.
Sticky Tape Method
Place a piece of sticky tape around your fingers with the sticky side facing outwards. Run your fingers over the weed, gently grabbing dog hairs with the sticky tape. Don’t press down too hard, since you just want to catch the ends of the hairs and separate them from the weed.
Carefully remove the tape and dispose of it along with the dog hairs.
Vacuum Cleaner Method
Cover the end of a vacuum cleaner hose with a pantyhose or fine-meshed sieve. Make sure the attachments on the vacuum hose are securely attached and in the right position.
Switch the vacuum cleaner on, and gently rub your nug over the top. The gentle suction will pull out any dog hairs while the nug stays in place.
Static Balloon Method
Rub a balloon against your hair or a similar surface to generate a static charge. Spread your weed thinly on a clean flat surface. Run the balloon over the weed gently. The hairs should stand upright and stick to the balloon. If they don’t adhere strongly enough, this is still a good way to find the hairs so you can pull them out easily.
Try a Different Toking Method
If all else fails, you could try switching to vaping or a similar method that’s less likely to have you inhaling burnt hair.
The Best Way to Prevent Dog Hair in Your Weed
The best way to avoid the annoyance of dog hair in your weed is to follow a few precautionary steps.
The most important step is to make sure you’re storing your weed in an airtight sealing jar or container. This will help keep dog hair, dirt, and other contaminants out of your weed.
Additionally, it’s also a good idea to keep your weed in a location that is out of reach of your four-legged buddies. Placing it out of reach or inside shelves your dogs can’t access is perhaps the easiest way to keep dog hair out of your weed.
Lastly, keep your home, or at the very least your toking station, as clean as possible. Regular cleaning will remove excess dog hair from building up and getting in your weed while you prepare it. And be sure to groom your pup as often as necessary to keep them comfortable and healthy, and by extension, keep their shedding to a minimum.
It’s a Dog Eat Dog World
Nobody said being a pet and cannabis enthusiast simultaneously would be easy. Thankfully, hairy weed isn’t the end of the world. With these tips and tricks, you can see that it’s surprisingly easy to get dog hair out of weed. And with a few extra steps, you can prevent it from ever getting in there, to begin with. Just follow these simple steps and you’re on your way to some happy, peaceful toking.
