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 Is So Special About Mulch?
More often than not, your dog will be interested in mulch because it is something new and different that has been added to its territory.
This is especially the case if this is the first time that your dog has ever seen or smelled mulch before, as it will be a completely foreign concept to the dog. In the eyes of a dog though, there’s a lot more about mulch that can seem enticing.
For instance, dogs are known for their love of sticks. Many dogs enjoy being able to chase sticks that you throw in the yard, and plenty of dogs will try to bring their favorite sticks inside.
Mulch, being made from wood chips of various sizes, can elicit that same curiosity and interest in dogs who tend to like wood. Not only does it smell good to your dog, but there’s a good chance that the wood can feel good on the dog’s gums.
For some dogs, specifically those who have a fixation on chewing, mulch can be the perfect thing to try and chew and ingest.
The wood will feel and taste good in the dog’s mouth and the toughness of the wood will provide enough substance for the dog to chew on that it will likely try and stay in the mulch pile where it can graze like a horse would. This is something you will need to be aware of.
There are several other reasons why a dog may have an interest in the mulch, but these are some of the largest and most common reasons you will encounter.
Now that you have a good understanding of why your dog has taken an interest in the mulch, you will also want to know why it is so important to keep your dog away from the mulch aside from the occasional sniff.
Use Cayenne Pepper
Another dilution that will deter your dog from rolling in the flower beds is a cayenne pepper and water mix. Mix 1 part cayenne pepper to 10 parts water. The solution should be a deterrent and not potentially harmful, so be careful not to overdo the amount of cayenne. Create the mix and apply it in a fine spray around the area. If there is an especially troublesome spot, give this area an extra soaking.
Although cayenne has a strong taste, vinegar has a stronger odor. So, if the citrus and the cayenne both fail to deter your dog, mix one-part vinegar to five parts water to create a spray. The type of vinegar doesn’t matter, but you may want to avoid using anything too expensive. The spray will soak into the mulch, so ensure that you pay particular attention to problem areas.
My dog that eats the mulch
When you’re caring for your garden the last thing on your mind might be making the space dog friendly. I mean, it probably never occurred to you to worry about your dog eating mulch, because what’s the harm, right?
In reality, mulch can be toxic to dogs, not to mention potentially causing an obstruction or damage to their digestive system. That’s why you need to prevent your dog from eating mulch. But that can be tricky. As we all know, dogs have a mind of their own!
To help you stop your dog from eating mulch in your garden this article will give you a few tips and tricks so your pet can stay healthy and your garden can stay vibrant.