Alert on FB from a local animal hospital: "Cocoa Mulch"

[TheBlackAdder]

23. Hershey's Reply? 98% of dogs won't eat it, but 50% of those that do can suffer physical harm.

Question:

Is it true that Cocoa Mulch is harmful to dogs?

Answer:

It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.

On the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA) web site, several common household products are listed that have proven harmful to dogs. Common lawn insecticides and insect killers are mentioned as being potentially life-threatening when ingested, specifically snail or slug bait. A 2-inch application of cocoa mulch in your plant beds will actually prevent germination of weeds, resulting in less weeds, acting as a deterrant for insects, snails and slugs. Following is a link to the ASPCA web site on outdoor household products that can be harmful to your pets. http://www.napcc.aspca.org/smalanml.htm#outdoor

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Gotta like how they compare cocoa-like products to insecticides that dogs aren't attracted to.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020127003124/http://www.hersheys.com/mulch/FAQ.htm