The next time you’re shopping for garden supplies, you may notice something called Cocoa Mulch. The good thing is that Cocoa Mulch smells like chocolate! The bad thing is that it can be dangerous to your pets. Veterinarians say that cats are less likely than dogs to eat the cocoa-scented mulch, but the product can (in extreme cases) be dangerous for both dogs and cats.
The problem ingredient in Cocoa Mulch is the same thing that makes your dog or cat sick if they eat chocolate — theobromine. Theobromine is a caffeine-like chemical found most strongly in dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate. It is toxic to dogs in large quantities, because their systems cannot metabolize it. The Cocoa Mulch is made from cocoa (cacao) bean shells, which contain very high levels of theobromines. In a case study of dogs who were believed to have eaten Cocoa Mulch, more than half of the participating dogs experienced vomiting and a third suffered from muscle tremors.
Within twelve hours of ingestion, your pet may show these symptoms:
- Agitation/Nervousness/Excitement/Trembling
- Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Excessive Thirst
- Excessive Urination (with higher levels of theobromine poisoning)
- Muscle Spasms
- Seizures
In some extreme cases, coma and death are possible.
If you think your dog or cat may have eaten Cocoa Mulch, please call your veterinarian immediately or call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 for help. Treatment will depend on when the mulch was eaten, how much was consumed, and what symptoms your dog or cat is exhibiting.
Cocoa Mulch is sold at Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply, Target, and many other garden supply stores. If you must use it in your yard, keep your pets away! For the best pet safety possible, you should avoid using Cocoa Mulch in areas of the yard where your pets will be.