toxic product to dogs and cats/please read

@quita88 (3715)
United States
April 26, 2010 7:27am CST
Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Halfway through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly. Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's web site, This product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "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." *Snopes site gives the following information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp * PLEASE READ ! Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
5 people like this
12 responses
• United States
26 Apr 10
Thank you for this info. I knew about this mulch but not all the details. Knowing how toxic chocolate is to dogs and cats I am very careful about any product that has chocolate in it's name or ingredients.
2 people like this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I have also tried to tell several members here that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats and they just think of chocolate as a treat. I hope all members read this and take heed.
2 people like this
@nova1945 (1612)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I saw this posted a few days ago and emailed it to my daughter (a vet tech and groomer) and she told me that this came out a long time ago. So I hope that the company has changed their warnings by now. I had not heard of this product before, so am glad that I found out and will be extra careful about what I buy in the future. I am glad you are spreading the word, though, as I am sure there are folks out ther who are unaware of this like I was. Thanks.
2 people like this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I too was unaware of this product but I am always on the look out for anything toxic. I took my dogs to the vet this last week and when she asked me what products I used for ticks and fleas I gave her all natural products except for one. She was astonished at how good the garlic worked on the tick and fleas since our area is covered with them this year. I used to work for a vet myself and I too learned chocolate was bad business but never heard of this mulch til now. We mylotters have to help each other and keep ourselves informed. All animals lovers should be aware !! thanks for responding !
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
26 Apr 10
Oh My Goodness this is not good at all Quita if you do not mind can I copy this and put it into Gissi's Site unless you want to put it in there under what you need to know Really the Company should have a warning sign on there so that People are aware of it Hugs
2 people like this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
Yes, go ahead and copy it and I too can send the whole thing. I thought it was terrible. I've been telling some members here that chocolate is poison for dogs and cats. HOpefully they will finally believe me. Many hugs, quita
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 May 10
Just tell me why a comnpany would make Choclte mulch when they know dogs love chocolate adn we all know that it can kill dogs this should be took off the market and real fast!
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
9 May 10
so true they put every thing in thier mouths
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
14 May 10
Yes, they do. EVERYTHING. I have a pup to prove it!
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
7 May 10
OH I agree totally ! I won't give my dogs so much as a lick off my candy bar LOL no, I'm serious. These companies need to be horse whipped for even thinking of making something so tempting to a dog or cat. And, hey, what about our kids??? huggssssssssssssssssssssssss
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
14 May 10
I saw this same thing at my vets office. I don't know what kind of mulch my husband uses, but he only uses it out front where our dog doesn't go. Unfortunately, if a dog were to wander in our yard and we used this mulch, the dog might have some serious problems. Of course, then you need to think about dogs running loose....
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
15 May 10
ONe must check the ingredients in hopes the manufacturer has given the correct ingredients. Dogs are dogs and eat what smells good, even poop ! I too have stray dogs who would eat this stuff and that is a worry too.
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
26 Apr 10
Good morning..quita88..AND THANK YOU for reminding us again! This information was released about 2 years ago, here in Canada, and I do remember it being a discussion here on myLot. But it is nice, now that it is gardening time..hopefully in most places to jog our memories! Sadly enough, there are several other products..MORE CoMMONLY USED...like Aniti-freeze..sold in every Gas station..Hardware store..highly attractive to many animals..that carry a warning so miniscule, one needs a magnifying glass to read it! Good topic. Take care and Cheers.
1 person likes this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I was not a member here two years ago but am an animal advocate and hate it when people poison their dogs ! I hate it too there are so many products on the market that with hurt , make sick or kill(murder) or dogs and cats ! It's time to keep the public made aware of the harsh products on the market that can reek havouc on our beloved animals. I am super careful with anti freeze and I do believe someone in my neighborhood has put some out cuz the stray cats I feed are disappearing GGGGGGRERRRRRRR But thanks and I'll do my best to warn all members if I find news about animals and products that do kill. Take care and we'll fight this together !!!!
1 person likes this
@Rustinas1 (438)
• United States
27 Apr 10
I'm posting this on my Facebook page, I hope you don't mind. I don't understand how harmful and toxic products are allowed to hit the shelves for sale. This is getting ridiculous. The past couple of years, that's all that seems to be happening. Selling consumers products that can kill children, adults, and pets. When is this stuff ever going to stop. I wonder where this Cocoa Mulch is manufactured from? I can just imagine, but don't want to speculate. I just know most everything else that has been brought to the public attention over the past couple of years, came from China.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
27 Apr 10
I think in the ariticle itself tells where the mulch is made.Do look back and see if it is made in China and even if it is, why should the US allow it?? It's just not feasible to put out a product like this ! I'll check too and see where it is made. Thanks, quita88 PS, please do post it on Facebook. The more people who know the better.
• Canada
1 May 10
There are many things on the market that r not pet friendly. WATCH OUT, TRY NOT TO PUT CHEMICALS OR ALOT OF GARDEN PRODUCTS ON YOUR PROPERTY WITHOUT READING CAREFULLY. REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV/ CARE FOR YOUR DOG/ PET, THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U...
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
1 May 10
I am always more than careful with products including chemicals and /or foods on the market to be used either in the house , in the yard or to be fed to my dogs and cats. Yesterday I opened my garage door and was met with a swarm of newly hatched termites. OMG ! but I sprayed them with Skin So Soft from Avon and then used a spray for hornets on them and it killed thousands of termites. I do have an exterminator coming MOnday. Before I sprayed I put my dogs and cats inside the house first then sprayed. I did not allow them out til the spraying was done and had settled . BEsides the dogs were fenced away from the area. It's just ridiculous for me to see someone putting chemicals on their yard and having their dogs trot along beside them. I am sure the label said pet friendly but I wouldn't do it. Take care and love your dogs and cats as I love mine. quita 88
@curry33 (67)
• China
27 Apr 10
I have already known that chocolate is bad for dogs,and I have never let it touch chocolate.My little dog likes candy.I think candy is OK for him.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
27 Apr 10
I can't see any harm in candy but not chocolate. The only problem I can see in giving candy is cavities. You can also brush a dog's teethe tho.
@RachelleNH (1396)
• United States
26 Apr 10
OMG why would they even consider making such a thing? I mean toddlers etc could eat this stuff...Dogs, especially our dog, love chocolate-we have to keep everything out of his reach! That's really scary and I thank you for sharing it!
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
You really have to understand the producers of materials have no regard for our animals and not our toddlers either.They don't give a thought to a two year old who eats dirt and loves it! I think more consideration should be given to products due to our lifestyles with kids and dogs and cats when puttin out a product that is so easily accessed by kids and animals......even a warning would stop all of us wouldn't it?? Even if we don't have kids there are always animals, squirrels, etc. around who will ultimately die if there are not serious studies done on products before putting them on the market. I am glad to have helped and please spread the word with me if you can. God bless, quita88
• United States
27 Apr 10
WOW thanks for the info! i have a black lab who eats everything, i wont be getting THIS product..
@cmjune76 (273)
• United States
26 Apr 10
Oh my goodness! I hope you are posting this to other blogs that you belong to. That is just so sad!
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I don't have a blog of my own. I have a friend with a new site who is putting it on her website. I just hope you too can help spread this word by sending our emails with this info in it. I have posted it here on mylot where I knew it would reach thousands. It really is sad to think we buy things that can kill our animals and as another member brought to mind even our toddlers. It really is sad. Thanks for responding and do help spread this information. quita88