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

[Scootaloo]

47. The danger is potentially real; the cited example is not

The mulch would be toxic to a dog that ate it (along with raccoons, cats, most members of Carnivora in fact), because it is indeed rich in theobromine. This isn't an "ingredient," it's something that is naturally found within the cocoa plant, particularly the seeds and seed pods (from which we get chocolate, also rich in the stuff). These animals can't metabolize the stuff, which acts like a strong stimulant on them; their heart rate increases, muscles tremble and shake, and severe nausea comes on.

The odds of such an animal actively eating the mulch though, are probably pretty slim. Eating enough to kill them is even more unlikely. Still, simple precaution would say to avoid using it if you have a dog, just in case (the cat's more likely to use it as a litter material, which kinda ruins the whole "I'm so rich I can buy chocolate for mulch!" aspect of the stuff...)