Cocoa Mulch Scare, Blown Out Of Proportion?
Always hungry
A couple of weeks ago, I received an email about Cocoa Mulch being lethal to dogs – like any other chain mail, I shrugged it off as spam. But it wasn’t until a few days ago that I realized how wrong I was.
Then again, who can blame me? Product bashing is so expected nowadays.
I was out for a walk with Marius when I saw my neighbor, Matt, getting out of his car. I asked him how things were and then he told me about his dog, Duke. Duke accidentally ate some Cocoa Mulch that caused him to vomit.
As soon as I got home, I Googled “Cocoa Mulch” and to my horror, it confirmed that it does contain ‘Theobromine’ – an ingredient found in all chocolates. Theobromine can induce vomiting, seizures and even death to dogs. Since Cocoa Mulch contains larger quantities of theobromine and caffeine, it makes it even deadlier to dogs and cats.
According to the ASPCA(American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), ingestion of enough cocoa bean shells can cause dogs to develop symptoms similar to chocolate poisoning. Although the ASPCA has not received any cases involving death due to Cocoa Mulch ingestion, they advocate caution and care towards the usage of such organic materials.
Regardless of Hershey’s (manufacturer of Cocoa Mulch) negligence to put a warning on their product, one should always be wary of the products we purchase – especially the ones that are accessible to kids and pets who can’t decide for themselves, what to eat or not. Being meticulous once in a while can be beneficial. Taking the time to read the label the next time we go shopping can and might save us from inconveniences, money, and can even save the life of our loved ones.
Remember, ignorance is never a good excuse, especially when it comes to the health of your pet.
Try these things some time; it can be much help to anyone:
- Read labels of products
- Familiarize oneself with harmful ingredients
- Make sure lids are properly closed
- Ask your vet if in doubt about products
- Keep an eye on your dog whenever around organic products, especially if your dog does not care what he eats.
