|
Cocoa Bean Mulch is widely available in garden supply stores for use as mulch
in home gardens; it is a popular type of mulch, partly because of the chocolate
smell that it has. Apparently some manufacturers of this mulch even advertise it
as a way to keep cats out of your garden. However, if your pet can't resist the
wonderful aroma and decides to eat it, it can prove to be fatal!
Cocoa Bean Mulch (which may also be called Cocoa Shell Mulch) is a byproduct
from the manufacture of cocoa powder and other chocolate products. All parts of
the cocoa bean contain "theobromine", a methylxanthine compound that has similar
properties to caffeine and theophylline, and is toxic in high levels. It is this
chemical that is the cause of chocolate poisoning, a problem that occurs mainly
in pet dogs but occasionally in pet cats or other pet animals.
With chocolate, the level of theobromine varies with the type of chocolate;
baking chocolate and dark chocolate contain the most theobromine. Cocoa bean
shells may contain relatively high levels of theobromine, and some reports
suggest that, for a medium-sized dog, consuming 9 ounces (about 250 grams) of
mulch could be fatal.
The symptoms of methylxanthine toxicity vary with the
dose consumed; at lower doses, the pet will develop gastrointestinal signs such
as vomiting or diarrhea, but if the pet eats a toxic dose the symptoms will
progress through muscle tremors, restlessness or hyperactivity, tachycardia
(elevated heart rate), seizures, and death. Symptoms may not develop
immediately, but will begin to appear as the toxin is absorbed into the body.
Once absorbed the toxin remains in an active form for up to 12 hours.
The aroma of cocoa bean mulch is most intense for the first few weeks after
it has been spread on the ground, making fresh cocoa bean mulch more attractive
to our pets, especially young puppies or kittens (who are curious by nature). As
the smell dissipates, dogs do not seem to be as attracted to the product,
lessening the risk. However, it is common for this mulch to develop a coating of
mold on it as it decomposes; depending on the type of mold that develops, this
may represent a further risk of toxicity to pets. If you are both a pet owner
and a gardener, you would be wise to consider a mulch that contains no cocoa
bean shells for your landscaping projects. It is important for you to realize
that there are generally no warnings about the potential toxicity to pets on the
packaging of this mulch, so it is truly a buyer beware situation.
Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are
licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying,
printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written
permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented
here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination
of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.
|
