Porky and Buddy Pet Health – Is Cocoa Bark Mulch Bad For Dogs?

Dear Porky and Buddy,
Someone just told me that the  cocoa bark mulch, that I love in my garden, can be poisonous to dogs? Is that true? And even if it’s true, why would a dog eat it?
Joan

Dear Joan,
We’re going to treat your question about why dogs would eat garden mulch as a sort of existential musing.

Why do dogs eat light bulbs? Or old socks? Or yes, even poop?

Because they’re dogs. They can . . .

That said, the answer to your first question is yes.

According to the ASPCA, our go to source for information about toxic substances that can affect our pets, cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine.

Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines.

In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death.

Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death.

In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.

So why take the risk?

It’s just mulch.

There are lots of other choices out there that you don’t have to worry about and that will free you up to worry about the old socks you have lying around instead.

Speaking of gardening, the Oliver Paine Greenhouse Spring Fundraiser is May 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 125 South Granby Road just south of Fulton off Route 48.

Download the flier from the Oswego County Humane Society website at www.oswegohumane.org to bring with you and 15 of your plant purchases will be donated to the Humane Society.

The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.

Located at 110 W. Second St., Oswego, NY.

Phone: (315) 207-1070.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oswegohumane.org

Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.

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