However a dog eating mulch still runs the risk of ingesting foreign bodies presenting choking hazards as well as esophageal inflammation scarring and perforation. Mulch with large shreds or chunks of wood might attract dogs as much as that stick you throw for them.
Dogs are chewers by nature especially young puppies.
Is it ok for puppies to eat mulch. Cedar mulch is a nice-smelling attractive option with few benefits for dogs. However if you have a dog that likes to dig and chew ANY mulch may cause vomiting and diarrhea if too much is ingested. If the cedar mulch is too chunky gastrointestinal obstructions can result.
While most mulch is non-toxic there are some that can cause a problem to our petsPotential Hazards. Rocks can also be used as mulch but keep in mind that some dogs like to eat rocks which can sometimes cause gastrointestinal obstructions. 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. 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.
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. 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 is present in order to prevent your pup from being tempted.
Mulch poses as large of a threat as sticks and wood of other kinds. 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.
My dog likes to lie in mulch is that okay. In fact many pet owners choose to use mulch as a lining in their dogs bed or kennel. Mulch is highly absorbent.
This means that it quickly traps and removes. Unfortunately the chocolate aroma of the mulch makes it a popular choice for gardeners and also highly attractive to pets as something to eat. It is also common for this mulch to develop a coating of mould as it decomposes.
Depending on the type of mould that develops this may represent a further risk of mould toxicity to pets. Much like bark mulch wood chip and sawdust mulch can be safe for pets depending on the tree from which it comes though sawdust rarely comes from one kind of tree. Sawdust mulch itself is safe.
Puppies are often clueless when it comes to what they put in their mouths which means they may end up eating some strange things. Even as youre learning what to feed your puppy and how often to fill its bowl it may insist on munching all sorts of odd disgusting or dangerous stuff that mystifies or nauseates you. 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. Cocoa bean mulch unfortunately is particularly toxic to dogs. Large ingestion can result in severe signs requiring hospital care.
If your pet is a mulch chewer take care to use pet safe mulch in areas where your dog has access. You may also have to supervise your dog when he is outside to prevent him from consuming large pieces. The most common reason that a puppy would throw up is hes chewed on a foreign object like a pair of slippers or some mulch which irritated his GI tract.
Puppies also require less food than fully-grown dogs. If your puppy is overeating this can lead to regurgitation. Heres how to tell how much to feed your little pup.
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.
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. Mulch with large shreds or chunks of wood might attract dogs as much as that stick you throw for them.
It smells good and feels good to chew. But the larger and sharper pieces of mulch can damage your dogs throat and can cause bowel or stomach obstructions leading to an emergency trip to the veterinarian.