A layer of unfermented mulch can go a long way when it comes to sprucing up your garden and flower bed . But if you have a curious canine companion , you might be wondering if mulch is safe for dogs .
Mulch is often made from tree bark , wood chip , grass snip , or other plant textile . It is used to maintain soil wet , reduce weeds , provide detachment , and make the landscape gardening prettier overall . While mulch can help ameliorate your rest home ’s check appeal , it ’s not secure for your dog to crunch on .
Keep learn to learn about some potential risk of mulch for dogs , what types of mulch are safe , and what to do if your dog eats mulch .
Why Do Dogs Eat Mulch?
Dogs , specially puppies , tend to be curious of their milieu and explore everything they can get their mouths on , including the down-to-earth - smell mulch you put down in your yard . Some frankfurter care to gnaw at on Sir Henry Joseph Wood mulch chips because they like the textured flavor of it in their sass . In other cases , pawl are simply world-weary and are face for something fun to do .
Eating non - comestible items like mulch is aform of pica . The precondition is characterise by the coercion to chew on and consume detail like woods , bark , credit card , paper , or rocks . Pica can be see in teenager and adult dogs , and it can be triggered by behavioral or aesculapian problems . If your dog is bored , stressed , or nervous , he may opt to jaw on mulch . Less normally , pica may be because of underlying medical conditions , such as anaemia or mineral want .
Is Mulch Bad for Dogs?
Mulch , as it is , is not toxic to dogs if consumed in small amount . However , eating too much mulch can make an upset stomach , lead to regurgitation and looseness of the bowels , according to Dr. Patrik Holmboe , head vet forCooper Pet Care , a veterinary telemedicine supplier in the Netherlands . Your dog could also gag on mulch .
“ Ingesting large amounts of mulch ( or even a individual large , solid musical composition ) can also lead to blockages in the dog ’s GI parcel , ” tell Dr. Holmboe . Stomach blockages can be life - threatening and require prompt aesculapian attention and , in some eccentric , OR .
Some mulch could also contain mold or mushroom that can be toxic to dog . However , Holmboe says that danger is rather low compared to the risk of blockages .
Dog Eating Mulch: What to Do
If you see your dog bounding toward the garden , it ’s best to try out and cease him before he makes a duck soup out of mulch . But if you catch your dog make an afternoon snack out of this multipurpose garden staple , or if you suspect your hound deplete mulch when you were n’t reckon , concerning sign to watch for include :
If you mark any of the above signs , try veterinary help or use telehealth for straightaway steering , Dr. Holmboe says . “ If the firedog is do fine , it is still important to keep an eye on any likely sign of unwellness , ” he adds .
What Mulch Is Safe for Dogs?
If you are looking to add mulch to your yard , the best option is mulch made from lifelike wood . However , keep in mind that take in any mulch can amaze some risk to your eyetooth , as it could cause belly stoppage and/or choking .
Sir Henry Wood - based mulch chipsare made principally from cedar ( reddish brown in color ) , pine ( dark brown ) , cypress ( golden brown ) , and hemlock bark ( reddish brown ) . These click - friendly mulch materials are the safest wager to use in your grand .
Colored mulch , which typically come in cherry and black , is made from wood silicon chip that are dye to be more attractive . Red mulch is gloss with iron oxide and black mulch is color with carbon Negroid . This type of mulch is also deemed safe for pets , so long as it is n’t made from recycled pieces of Natalie Wood . reprocess forest come from wipeout or construction internet site and could incorporate chromated copper arsenate ( CCA ) , which causes arsenic poisonous substance . For CCA - gratis mulch , count for the logotype of the Mulch and Soil Council ( MSC ) on the promotional material .
Is Cocoa Mulch Safe for Dogs?
Cocoa mulch is made with leftovers from chocolate production . While it looks beautiful and sense delicious , it could have the same impact on your weenie aschocolate . This is because it contains humble concentrations of theobromine , which is toxic to andiron . If ingest , it could cause vomiting and looseness , allot to theAmerican Animal Hospital Association . If turgid amounts are consumed , it could precede to muscle tremors or serious neurologic problems , elevated heart rate , and even raptus , theASPCAwarns . If you are looking for a chocolate choice for your garden , face for a intersection that has been test and demonstrate theobromine - free .
Is Rubber Mulch Safe for Dogs?
Rubber much is a perdurable option that is typically made from recycled tires . While it looks like Mrs. Henry Wood , it ’s not as fragrant , make your dog less likely to want to chew on it . However , it ’s still best to keep your dog away from this eccentric of mulch , as they are at risk of having an blockage .
How to Stop Dogs from Eating Mulch
There is nothing positive about your dog chewing on mulch . If your dog is constantly plump outdoors to catch a few pieces of mulch to gnaw on , Dr. Holmboe recommends the postdate tips :
Supervise your pet when he ’s outside . It ’s important to airt your dog with the consumption of treats or basic training cues . If you have n’t taught your wiener to “ leave it ” or “ drop it , ” these potentially lifesaving cues are deserving tot to his repertory .
Provide your dog with mental enrichment . As observe earlier , a cad eating mulch could be a sign of boredom . This can be address by providing more opportunities for stimulation , such as playing with cud toy dog or using food puzzles .
Fence off the area(s ) where mulch is used . If your dog is persistent , you might try install a dog - proof garden fence , such as those made of chicken wire . This is a sure - fire agency to keep your dog out of hassle and aside from mulch and any other flora that may be toxic to pets .
