It is becoming common knowledge that Cocoa Mulch is toxic to pets , not only is it high in Theobromine, but also can contain pesticides. Below is some information on Cocoa Mulch and what to do if your pup ingests it. This will definitely involve a trip to the vet so…
According to National Cocoa Shell, the nation’s largest retailer of cocoa shell mulch, the material is leftover from the cocoa bean roasting process—making the product more environmentally friendly than regular mulch. Plus, who couldn’t resist putting chocolate smelling mulch down in their garden? For chocolate lovers across the country it’s a dream come true.
But there’s a catch. Cocoa mulch is extremely toxic to pets, especially when curious dogs have access to the outdoors.
Dr. Maureen McMichael is a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who specializes in emergency and critical care. She says, “Cocoa mulch is significantly more toxic than milk chocolate or even baker’s chocolate because it has quite a bit more theobromine in it.” Theobromine is the toxic compound in most chocolates that is responsible for the clinical signs seen in pets after ingestion.
Though it, too, can be deadly to pets, milk chocolate has only 44 mg. per ounce of theobromine. Baking chocolate has nearly eight times the concentration of theobromine in it compared to milk chocolate, making it one of the most toxic kinds of chocolate, but still not as concentrated as cocoa mulch.
In addition to having more theobromine in it, cocoa mulch is also usually found in an unlimited supply to the pet. Your Labrador may gobble up that chocolate bar on the counter, but left to their own devices, most dogs will eat cocoa mulch until you catch them or toxic effects start to set in, leading to the ingestion of large amounts of the toxin. “Unfortunately, many of the dogs that present with a history of eating cocoa mulch do not survive if they were not stopped quickly,” notes Dr. McMichael.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Ingested Cocoa Bean Mulch
Signs of toxicity will usually appear within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion.
Initial symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and excessive thirst. Without treatment, symptoms can progress to hyperactivity, excess urination, tremors, seizures, and other major cardiovascular and neurological signs. Death can result from either heart or respiratory failure.
- If your dog has just eaten the mulch or is caught in the act, attempt to induce vomiting.
- Call your veterinarian or emergency animal clinic immediately if you suspect your pet has been poisoned. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.
- At the vet’s office or emergency animal clinic, your dog will likely receive doses of activated charcoal, IV support, tremor control and cardiac monitoring. Treatment will vary depending on how much mulch was ingested, when it was eaten, and whether your dog is symptomatic. The more information you can provide your pet’s doctor about the amount of mulch eaten and the timing of it, the better.
- The good news is most dogs make a complete recovery with appropriate treatment.