Recently I was asked to comment about a rash of e-mails floating around cyber-space
concerning the toxicity to dogs of mulch made from crushed cocoa bean hulls. Cocoa mulch is a
by-product of cocoa production. The dark brown mulch is aesthetically and aromatically pleasing,
giving the garden a rich, chocolately scent. Since theobromine, a naturally occurring compound in
chocolate is toxic to dogs, the internet is now filled with cyber-legends of dogs eating cocoa
mulch and keeling over dead.
According to an article published in the
Association
theobromine. The JAVN article states “no reports of lethal toxicosis from ingesting this mulch
have been filed with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Poison Control Center this year (2006). In 2004 and 2005, 16 reports of single exposure to the
mulch were received, none resulting in death.”
The
“Dogs consuming enough cocoa bean shell mulch could potentially develop signs similar to
that of chocolate poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea. In cases where very large amounts
of mulch have been consumed, muscle tremors and other more serious neurological signs could
occur. To date, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has not received any cases involving
animal deaths due to cocoa mulch ingestion. One key point to remember is that some dogs,
particularly those with indiscriminate eating habits, can be attracted to any organic matter.
Therefore, if you have a dog with such eating habits, it is important you do not leave him
unsupervised or allow him into areas where such materials are being used.”
It should be noted that processed cocoa mulch may contain much lower concentrations and
some manufacturers market cocoa mulch that is “pet safe.” Consumers should look for products
that are tested and certified theobromine-free.
As always, I stand by my recommendation to use locally processed wood products such as
ground hardwood bark and ground pine bark. Plants grow well in these mulches, which are
typically among the most cost-effective and natural looking mulches available and they help
support the Michigan economy.Journal of the American Veterinary Medical(JAVM June 1, 2006 p. 1644), cocoa bean husks can contain up to 2.98 percentASPCA posts this comment regarding cocoa mulch on its website
Go green with our new gardening web siteMSU Extension has launched a new web site of its gardening resources at:
www.migarden.msu.edu. The web site covers many aspects of gardening and is beginning with a
