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One of the biggest threats that mulch poses is the fact that the wood chips are not something that dogs are supposed to be eating. Sawdust mulch itself is safe for animals but gardeners commonly use it around blueberry and rhododendron bushes the latter of which can poison dogs and.
However this can vary widely depending upon the brand.
Is it ok for my dog to eat mulch. Mulch can come with a wide variety of issues for your dog which is why it is so important for you to try and keep your dog from chewing and eating it as much as possible. One of the biggest threats that mulch poses is the fact that the wood chips are not something that dogs are supposed to be eating. Is Mulch Toxic to Dogs.
Mulch made from cocoa shells is known as cocoa bean mulch and it is particularly toxic to dogs. Homeowners with dogs should stay clear of this type of mulch and seek a less toxic alternative. While others types of mulch may not necessarily be toxic they can also be dangerous.
Why Dogs Eat Mulch. Dogs are chewers by nature especially young puppies. Justine Lee of the Pet Health Network notes that most mulches are safe for dogs not causing a toxic reaction.
However a dog eating mulch still runs the risk of ingesting foreign bodies presenting choking hazards as well as esophageal inflammation scarring and perforation. Ingesting pieces of mulch may perforate his intestines and cause an intestinal obstruction. The aroma of the mulch is what dogs find appealing.
According to research by the ASPCA the risk to your dog depends on its size the amount of mulch ingested and also the level of theobromine in the mulch. However this can vary widely depending upon the brand. Puppies and small-breed dogs would be at greater risk.
Our recommendation is to avoid the use of Cocoa Bean Mulch completely. While dogs love the feel of mulch its important to train them not to eat it and if they get into the habit of eating it it can have negative effects. Especially if your dog ingests that cocoa bean mulch can be toxic so as we discussed above this is not recommended.
It just isnt worth the risk. I am trying to decide if it is safe to use mulch for my dogs kennel. The mulch is free of chemicles and is actually from trees we cut down and mulched ourselves.
The kennel is 25 by 30 and I want some. The short answer no. There is no universal mulch that can guarantee your dog wont chew on it pee on it or walk on it however weve put together some of the most common types of mulch and advise on which one to buy depending on the behavioral tendencies your pooch may possess.
Sawdust mulch itself is safe for animals but gardeners commonly use it around blueberry and rhododendron bushes the latter of which can poison dogs and. If you believe your dog has consumed wood or sticks and fear any of the above scenarios contact your vet ASAP. Block Off Areas With Mulch and Sticks.
In the discussion about sticks and wood we often forget about mulch. Many forms of mulch are filled with chunks of wood and sticks and can be just as damaging for a pet when its consumed. Mulch can even be more tempting to a dog due to its potent smell.
Its safest to block off any parts of your yard where mulch. The mulch is sold at most garden supply stores and according to Hersheys 98 of dogs wont eat it. Its unlikely that your pet will have a chance to eat the mulch but with such high risks its better to be safe than sorry.
Why would a dog eat mulch. To be fair mulch is just chopped up sticks-a dogs favorite toy. But sadly Embrace recently handled claims in which a pet ingested regular mulch non-toxic basic mulch.
Cocoa bean mulch has an attractive smell that makes the ingestion of the mulch an interesting prospect to many dogs. The danger of ingestion lies in the compounds theobromine and caffeine which are also found in chocolate. These substances will poison a dog leading to symptoms like tremors and vomiting.
While you may enjoy the sound of crunching leaves under your feet you may not find it so lovely when your dog is munching on a stray leaf or two. Ultimately it is not harmful for your dog to eat. Let the dog eat as many as he wants.
Hell eat a lot for a few days and then back off and only eat 1-2 a day. If the dog is using the sticks as chew toys but not eating them you need to provide good chewies for the dog that are safer to chew on. If the dog is teething the dog must chew.
02-24-2016 0429 PM f5fstop. 3579 posts read 3063977 times Reputation. If your dog continues to eat foreign objects like rocks or mulch even when being lured away by treats then it may be time for a vet visit for a full health assessment and lab tests.
If your dog is bored then put some chew toys around the yard so he has something new to distract him when outdoors. A common complaint among those living with puppies is that they eat everything they can when outside. 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.
Very small pieces of wood can be swallowed and get wedged in their throats and obstruct their breathing. If larger pieces of wood are ingested it can create even more serious issues. Digestive tract blockages perforated intestines and bowel obstruction are just some of the risks associated with a dog eating wood.