Cocoa mulch - danger to pets

[LadyCook61]

This Snopes site gives the following information: snopes.com: Cocoa Mulch
please read the below information on this new product for the yard, Cocoa Mulch. It's deadly for dogs and cats.


Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those that do. Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family.
Please tell every dog owner you know. Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled, and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden.
Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, Calypso had a seizure and died instantly.
Althoug h the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.
Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that it is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees depending on each individual dog. "However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."
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 stu ff 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 in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, axanthine 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.

[jkath]

oh I had no idea! I used lots of it to deter cats in my yard some years ago. I'll pass this on. Thank you.

[jpmcgrew]

Makes sense since large amounts of chocolate can also kill a dog.

[Maverick2272]

One of my wifes clients has two large dogs, and insisted on doing their entire garden with cocoa mulch. To date so far all they have done is use it as a bathroom. Stuff smelled so good when we were putting it down I almost wanted to eat it! Also, it molds fast in damp conditions.
I will pass the info along but I doubt they will change it out.
Thanks!

[quicksilver]

Thanks for the info, LC. Everyone here uses one kind of mulch or another, and mostly for H.D., as it's the closest
home & garden place around (12miles). And almost everyone has either dog or cat.
I will keep my eyes open and inform the neighbors.
I hope the armadillos like it though!