01
Feb
A common complaint among those living with puppies is that they eat everything they can when outside. Cocoa bean mulch has an attractive smell that makes the ingestion of the mulch an interesting prospect to many dogs.
Many forms of mulch are filled with chunks of wood and sticks and can be just as damaging for a pet when its consumed.
Is it bad for puppies to eat mulch. One of the biggest threats that mulch poses is the fact that the wood chips are not something that dogs are supposed to be eating. Depending on the size of the wood chip you can run into quite a few problems. Smaller wood chips have the threat of causing an intestinal blockage perforations and other similar problems.
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 leading to symptoms like tremors and vomiting.
The mulch is sold at most garden supply stores and according to Hersheys 98 of dogs wont eat it. Its unlikely that your pet will have a chance to eat the mulch but with such high risks its better to be safe than sorry. The aroma of the mulch is what dogs find appealing.
According to research by the ASPCA the risk to your dog depends on its size the amount of mulch ingested and also the level of theobromine in the mulch. However this can vary widely depending upon the brand. Puppies and small-breed dogs would be at greater risk.
Justine Lee of the Pet Health Network notes that most mulches are safe for dogs not causing a toxic reaction. However a dog eating mulch still runs the risk of ingesting foreign bodies presenting choking hazards as well as esophageal inflammation scarring and perforation. 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.
Many forms of mulch are filled with chunks of wood and sticks and can be just as damaging for a pet when its consumed. Mulch can even be more tempting to a dog due to its potent smell. Its safest to block off any parts of your yard where mulch is present in order to prevent your pup from being tempted.
A common complaint among those living with puppies is that they eat everything they can when outside. Grass dirt leaves sticks feces from geese rabbits deer and other animals and sometimes rocks garbage or anything else they find when on a walk or out in the back yard. Cedar mulch is considered safe for dogs.
It does not contain toxic chemicals but can still pose a risk if your dog swallows large chunks. As we mentioned above cedar also has some insect repellant properties. This product has a pleasant aroma and an attractive natural red color that may appear in your garden.
Some dogs may prefer specific areas such as mulch piles that may have a mushroom-like aroma or taste. Too much dirt munching can obstruct your puppys digestive system but an occasional taste probably wont cause issues. Dogs eat grass to help with digestion.
If they cant get grass they will try something else. Give him raw chicken wings to chew on and boil up some peas to have with his dinnerYes it is a very common misconception that dogs should not eat chicken especially uncooked. Death can sometimes occur if large quantities are ingested.
People like cocoa mulch because of its odor and color but there are much safer alternatives. Rocks can also be used as mulch but keep in mind that some dogs like to eat rocks which can sometimes cause gastrointestinal obstructions. Use negative reinforcement say no as they approach or start eating wood.
Shake a can filled with coins above their head when they go near the wood. Put them in their bad room and ignore them for a while if they get a hold of a piece. Reward them with treats for good behavior.
These are all ways to let your dog know that wood is. Dont use Mulch your dog is likely to eat or mulches that can be toxic to dogs if ingested like cocoa Mulch. You can simply wash urine off artificial grass with a hose but dog poop can be harder to remove stains and odors with in the long term.
Cocoa beans similar to chocolate contain the chemical theobromine that is highly toxic to dogs. If your dog were to swallow some of the mulch theobromine can enter their system causing cardiac irregularities vomiting diarrhea seizures and potentially death if enough was ingested. Although cedar mulch wont seriously hurt your dog if ingested it may give him an upset stomach and if he eats enough of it he may suffer vomiting according to the ASPCA.
Eating too much of anything is never a good thing. Mulch rocks or any other kind of debris can block the gastrointestinal tract leading to digestive issues. Mulch since it is made of wood can splinter when chewed thus causing irritation abrasions tears perforations or blockage.