There have been several cases of dogs falling ill after eating cocoa mulch. If you think your dog has eaten mulch call the Animal Poison Control Center at 855-764-7661.
Thats just life with dogs.
Can dogs die from eating mulch. Cocoa bean mulch has an attractive smell that makes the ingestion of the mulch an interesting prospect to many dogs. The danger of ingestion lies in the compounds theobromine and caffeine which are also found in chocolate. These substances will poison a dog.
Mulch due to its moist nature can also carry molds in it. Not only can it carry mold but it can also contain residual pesticides as well. Both of these can cause vomiting diarrhea tremors seizures and worse in your dog.
Dogs love to chew and a fresh bed of mulch is a prime target for digging and chewing. If your dog is a mulch eater precautions should be taken as complications can result. Dogs that chew on small pieces of mulch or sticks can develop gum irritation from splinters that embed in the oral cavity.
However a dog eating mulch still runs the risk of ingesting foreign bodies presenting choking hazards as well as esophageal inflammation scarring and perforation. Ingesting pieces of mulch may perforate his intestines and cause an intestinal obstruction. Some dogs will eat anything so no mulch is completely safe.
Its best to supervise your dog and prevent it from eating any amount of mulch no matter the type. If you think your dog has eaten mulch call the Animal Poison Control Center at 855-764-7661. Dogs that chew on small pieces of mulch or sticks can develop gum irritation from splinters that embed in the oral cavity.
Large pieces of mulch or large volumes of ingested material can also result in gastrointestinal obstruction which may require surgery. Also know what happens if my dog eats. People Also Asked What happens if my dog eats mulch.
As a result dogs may be tempted to ingest it. That said there is still a small amount of theobromine the chemical that results in chocolate poisoning remaining in the mulch and when ingested in large amounts this can cause signs of chocolate poisoning. Signs of cocoa mulch poisoning include.
Mulch made from cocoa shells is known as cocoa bean mulch and it is particularly toxic to dogs. Homeowners with dogs should stay clear of this type of mulch and seek a less toxic alternative. While others types of mulch may not necessarily be toxic they can also be dangerous.
Why Dogs Eat Mulch. Ingestion of this mold can result in severe neurologic signs tremors and seizures. Symptoms of mulch toxicity will usually appear within 6 to 12 hours and can include.
Diarrhea and abdominal pain. Our best advice is to prevent your dog from ingesting mulch of any kind. Just a few ounces could cause stomach problems as well as seizures and death if enough is ingested.
ASPCA poison control says that as little as 20 ounces of milk chocolate can cause serious problems in a 10-pound dog The mulch is sold at most garden supply stores and according to Hersheys 98 of dogs wont eat it. Dogs love to chew and a fresh bed of mulch is a prime target for digging and chewing Cocoa bean mulch unfortunately is particularly toxic to dogs. Large ingestion can result in severe signs requiring hospital care.
If your pet is a mulch chewer take care to use pet safe mulch in areas where your dog has access. You can use a variety of training methods to keep your dog away from the mulch including both positive and negative reinforcement praising the dog for not going to the mulch and saying no to the dog and pulling it away when it chooses to walk toward the mulch using anti-chew sprays for some smaller patches of. You can put your mind at ease knowing that most mulch is non-toxic but there are a few that are quite hazardous to dogs and should be avoided.
Cocoa mulch is one such mulch. Cocoa mulch as you may have already guessed is made from cocoa beans. Cocoa beans similar to chocolate contain the chemical theobromine that is highly toxic to dogs.
It can be hard to actually catch your pet in the act of consuming the mulch though the signs are consistent with chocolate toxicity and include pets that are hyperactive panting have. The odds of dogs dying from eating the fresh mulch are low but pups whove eaten it should be taken to a veterinarian. If youre a dog parent check with individual cocoa mulch manufacturers to find out how the mulch was processed.
Or err on the side of caution and choose a different type of mulch for your yard. Hes still a puppy. And big dogs can be puppies for at least 2 years.
My daughters golden retirevers eat mulch rocks and rip out chunks of sod. Thats just life with dogs. Do you have to have mulch.
There have been several cases of dogs falling ill after eating cocoa mulch. Stones from Prunus species Believe it or not the stones and pits of plums. Drives me crazy.
I was using pine bark which they also chewed on but I was afraid of the splinters which is why I switched to the rubber mulch. So far they have not had any problems with eating it but I still worry. Yes I provide them chew toys but they just prefer the mulch.