2006-08-21 05:54:34 · 8 answers · asked by ray d 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine".
It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution — check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.
Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate — especially dark or baker's chocolate — which is toxic to dogs.
Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
Origins: This warning about the potential danger
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
2006-08-21 06:02:43 · answer #1 · answered by Backwoods Barbie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this is the dyed wood chips now it is not.
If you have the stuff that is actually made from the hulls of the cocoa beans YES it is dangerous and a few dogs have died from eating it.
Be very careful with mulch type products and pets.
2006-08-21 06:32:59 · answer #2 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can be. It depends on how it was treated before used as mulch. If it was not processed at all, then it could be a problem. The solution is to simply take any biodegradable car wash solution and hose it down as if you were cleaning a car. Wet it completely, then rinse. This will was most of the dangerous stuff away as it is water soluble. it is a minor risk anyway, but better safe than sorry.
2006-08-21 06:02:31 · answer #3 · answered by wizard8100@sbcglobal.net 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore my previous comments. Yes, cocoa mulch is dangerous. Apparently it does have a high concentration of theobromine, a xanthine which is similar in chemistry to caffeine.
2006-08-21 06:02:58 · answer #4 · answered by tampasmiles 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES ! ! ! But Home Depot and/or Lowes carries cocoa mulch that can be used because it has been treated to eliminate the dangerous properties in plain cocoa mulch
2006-08-21 06:03:47 · answer #5 · answered by worldhq101 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is poisonous to them. Here is a link to explain it.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1275&articleid=3004
2006-08-21 06:02:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is poisonous to them
2006-08-21 06:40:35 · answer #7 · answered by Mandy1897 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Please read the info below:
2006-08-21 06:02:38 · answer #8 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋