One Type of Mulch Can Be Toxic to Dogs
One type of mulch is toxic to dogs, and it can be dangerous for them to digest, but it isn’t sold by Gaston.
Cocoa Bean Mulch is a byproduct of chocolate production and is popular for its color and sweet smell, but because it contains some of the same chemicals as chocolate it can be toxic to your dogs. Be aware of what’s in your gardens and look to replace your cocoa bean mulch with something like pine or cypress mulch – both safe options for your dogs.
Dogs love to chew on things and they are curious by nature. They like to explore and try new things, which probably means that they will chew on the mulch in your garden at some point.
Any wood-based mulch is safe for your dog. Pine, cedar, and cypress are probably the three of the most popular mulch options and they should all be dog-friendly. To be completely safe consider these additional concerns:
Some pets can be allergic to mulch, so keep an eye out for allergic reactions in your dogs (and cats). Symptoms like a rash, excessive scratching, irritability, or pus-filled bumps can be signs of an allergic reaction. Try to take note of what your pet has digested or chewed on in case you start seeing the symptoms of allergies.
While cats may not try to eat or chew on your garden mulch, they may treat your newly mulched garden beds as a fresh litter box. Newly laid mulch is the right depth, smells fresh and clean, and is easy to move around – in other words, it’s the perfect environment for a cat litter box.
Keeping cats out of your mulch can be a challenge, but here are a few tricks and tips:
Deploying one (or more) of these strategies can help keep your cats out of your garden and keep your mulch fresh and clean.
The Risks and Signs of Consuming Mulch
Consuming mulch leaves dogs vulnerable to a number of health risks. If you see your dog consume wood chips, consult a vet immediately even before seeing symptoms. If you don’t see your dog consume mulch but you see some of the symptoms listed below, also consult your vet.
A big concern with chewing mulch is that as your dog chews it, small pieces may cut their gums or even become lodged in the gums. This can lead to pain and infection and can be costly to remove.
With the variety of sizes and shapes usually found in mulch, it is very easy for there to be some pieces that could cause a dog to choke on them. This is especially true of rubber mulch which does not break down as easily as wood mulch.
Similar to the gum concerns, but far more worrying is that after eating mulch, the fibrous material could obstruct your dog’s digestive tract or that splinters could injure or block the digestive tract. This can lead to infection and/or a need for surgery. Symptoms of a digestion obstruction include not wanting to eat, not being able to go to the bathroom, bloating, and vomiting.
Many mulches are treated with chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides that can make your dog sick. When planning your garden, look for mulches that do not contain these chemicals and that are labeled as pet safe. Symptoms of herbicide and pesticide poisoning in dogs include vomiting, shaking, panting, and diarrhea.
Since mulch is very good at maintaining moisture in soil, it follows that it is sometimes a good environment for mold to form. Mold is especially common in cocoa shell mulch. Mold can be very harmful to your dog if consumed. Symptoms of tremorgenic mycotoxins poisoning include seizures, tremors, and vomiting.
Many mulches are technically made from a dog-safe material and your only concerns as to your dog’s safety would be in them encountering some of the previous risks we have discussed. However, there are also mulches that are made from materials that are by themselves toxic to dogs such as mulch made from crushed cocoa shells. Just like feeding a dog chocolate is toxic to them, mulch made from other parts of the cocoa tree is toxic to dogs due to the caffeine and theobromine present. This is why if you are using mulch in your yard it is important to look into the type you are using before you buy it. Symptoms to look out for with cocoa poisoning include increased heart beat, abdominal bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Rubber Mulch?
Your dog becomes vulnerable to various health risks if it eats rubber mulch. Consult a vet if your dog consumes mulch.
Below are the risks of consuming mulch:
Small shredded pieces may become lodged in their gum if your dog chews rubber mulch. It can lead to discomfort, making your dog irritable and agitated.
Rubber mulch has various shapes and sizes. A large piece of mulch can cause dogs to choke if they try to swallow it down.
Suppose your dog swallows mulch; it’s likely to pass without incidence. However, the rubber may obstruct or block your pet’s digestive tract. Consequently, your dog may end up needing surgery.
Signs of a digestion obstruction include bloating, not wanting to feed, vomiting, and being unable to pass poop.
✅Top 5 Best Mulch for Dogs in 2022
A good mulch is a gardener’s best friend, but when it puts another best friend’s life in jeopardy, it’s not worth the risk. If your dogs are anything like mine, they’ll put almost anything in their mouths, including mulch.
While a mulch made of untreated wood isn’t likely to cause harm even if your dog ingests it, others can cause vomiting and seizures.
Yes, mulch can most certainly be bad for dogs. However, it depends on which mulch you choose. The most dangerous mulch for dogs is cocoa bean mulch. This mulch must be avoided around dogs, especially if your dog likes to chew on everything! Cocoa bean mulch contains caffeine and theobromine, neither of which your dog can metabolize.
Ingesting as little as 20 mg/kg can show mild signs (bloating, vomiting, diarrhea) of chocolate toxicosis, with more severe issues (muscle tremors, hyperthermia, seizures) occurring at 40 mg/kg and up. Higher levels are potentially fatal to your dog.
The safest mulches for your dog are organic seeding mulch, natural cedar shavings, shredder rubber mulch, untreated wood mulch, and cypress mulch.
Note that even these mulches can cause issues to your dog’s digestive system, especially if they contain chemicals or the particles are big enough to block their digestive system.
Read on for more details on how dangerous cocoa bean mulch is for your dog, and the best mulches for a dog-safe garden!