Excellent post!! I actually used to use cocoa mulch in my front gardens when I lived in Calif, but my dogs were never out there. I remember reading an article online way back then, stressing it's dangers..No wonder, the stuff smells fantastic & it's also a great weed deterrent..
Planning to Fertilize Your Lawn - Read This First
Cocoa Bean Mulch As A Cause Of Methylxanthine Toxicosis In Dogs
by S. Hansen, H. Trammell, E. Dunayer, S. Gwaltney, D. Farbman, and S. Khan
Source: www.aspca.org
Background: Cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, are sold as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners find cocoa mulch desirable because it degrades into an organic fertilizer and provides an attractive color and odor. Unprocessed beans, derived from the Theobroma cacao plant, contain 1-4% theobromine/0.07-0.36% caffeine whereas, cocoa bean mulch contains 0.19%-2.98% theobromine. Some dogs find the mulch attractive and eat small to large quantities.
- Cocoa bean shell products are increasingly used as mulch
- Natural cacao beans are derived from Theobroma cacao
- Unprocessed beans contain 1-4% theobromine and 0.07-0.36% caffeine
- Cocoa bean shell mulch may contain up to 0.19%-2.98% theobromineCocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production
- Cocoa bean shell mulch products have an attractive odor and smell
- Some dogs will eagerly eat large amounts of cocoa bean shell mulch
![]()
![]()
[b:14g2ngfw]Treatment of Clinical Signs Resulting from Methylxantine
Toxicosis in Dogs
by S. Hansen, H. Trammell, E. Dunayer, S. Gwaltney, D. Farbman, and S. Khan
Source: www.aspca.org
Background: Cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, are sold as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners find cocoa mulch desirable because it degrades into an organic fertilizer and provides an attractive color and odor. Unprocessed beans, derived from the Theobroma cacao plant, contain 1-4% theobromine/0.07-0.36% caffeine whereas, cocoa bean mulch contains 0.19%-2.98% theobromine. Some dogs find the mulch attractive and eat small to large quantities.
- Cocoa bean shell products are increasingly used as mulch
- Natural cacao beans are derived from Theobroma cacao
- Unprocessed beans contain 1-4% theobromine and 0.07-0.36% caffeine
- Cocoa bean shell mulch may contain up to 0.19%-2.98% theobromineCocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production
- Cocoa bean shell mulch products have an attractive odor and smell
- Some dogs will eagerly eat large amounts of cocoa bean shell mulch
[b:14g2ngfw]Treatment of Clinical Signs Resulting from Methylxantine
Toxicosis in Dogs
2
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
