Is It Bad If Dogs Eat Mulch. These do not have toxic chemicals or add-ins that would be harmful to your dog. However this can vary widely depending upon the brand. The aroma of the mulch is what dogs find appealing. Death can sometimes occur if large quantities are ingested.
Cocoa beans similar to chocolate contain the chemical theobromine that is highly toxic to dogs. Grass dirt leaves sticks feces from geese rabbits deer and other animals and sometimes rocks garbage or anything else they find when on a walk or out in the back yard. It isnt just cocoa mulch that poses a danger to your pet its chocolate. A common complaint among those living with puppies is that they eat everything they can when outside. When it rains the rain can bring out the urine smell or poop smell in the mulch. Cedar mulch is considered safe for dogs.
Why Dogs Eat Mulch.
As we mentioned above cedar also has some insect repellant properties. Mulch made from cocoa shells is known as cocoa bean mulch and it is particularly toxic to dogs. However a dog eating mulch still runs the risk of ingesting foreign bodies presenting choking hazards as well as esophageal inflammation scarring and perforation. People like cocoa mulch because of its odor and color but there are much safer alternatives. Dark mulch is also great for hiding urine and poop marks. It isnt just cocoa mulch that poses a danger to your pet its chocolate.