Is Mulch Bad For Dogs?

Jun 11, 2024 | Pet Health, Pets

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Is Mulch Bad For Dogs?  When Jake and Maggie were puppies, I couldn’t keep their little mouths out of our mulch beds.  Jake was the worst.  He would literally hide a small rock or a piece of mulch in his mouth to take inside.  We had to watch them both like a hawk and check them before coming in to the house.  They both learned the commands “Drop It” and “Leave It” very quick :-). They just turned 7 on Saturday so it didn’t kill them but I never thought it was ok.  Fortunately they grew out of that little habit of theirs 🙂

 
Last month we got 7 yards of black mulch delivered and it looks beautiful and it got me thinking about the days of Jake and Maggie and their love for mulch sticks.  We were fortunate nothing bad ever happened to them.
 
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Why Do Dogs Eat Mulch?
 
Eating non-edible items like mulch is a form of pica. The condition is characterized by the compulsion to chew on and consume items like wood, bark, plastic, paper, or rocks. Pica can be seen in adolescent and adult dogs, and it can be caused by behavioral or medical problems. If your dog is bored, stressed, or anxious, he may opt to chew on mulch. Less commonly, pica may be caused by underlying medical conditions, such as anemia or mineral deficiencies. It might even be a sign you need to explore a new dog food for your pet.
 
 
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs?
 
Mulch, as it is, is not toxic to dogs if consumed in small amounts. However, eating too much mulch can cause an upset stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
 
Ingesting large amounts of mulch (or even a single large, solid piece) can also lead to blockages in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.  Stomach blockages can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention and, in some cases, surgery.
 
Some mulch could also contain mold or mushrooms that can be toxic to dogs.
 
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
What Mulch Is Safe For Dogs?
 
If you are looking to add mulch to your yard, the best option is mulch made from natural wood. However, keep in mind that consuming any mulch can pose some risk to your canine, as it could cause stomach blockages and/or choking. 
 
Wood-based mulch chips are made mainly from cedar (reddish brown in color), pine (dark brown), cypress (golden brown), and hemlock bark (reddish brown). These dog-friendly mulch materials are the safest bet to use in your yard.  
 
Colored mulch, which typically comes in red and black, is made from wood chips that are dyed to be more attractive. Red mulch is colored with iron oxide and black mulch is colored with carbon black. This type of mulch is also deemed safe for pets, so long as it isn’t made from recycled pieces of wood. Recycled wood comes from demolition or construction sites and could contain chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which causes arsenic poison. For CCA-free mulch, look for the logo of the Mulch and Soil Council (MSC) on the packaging. 
 
 
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Who is Lead Safe Mama?
 
 
Tamara Rubin is an internationally recognized, multiple federal award-winning Lead-poisoning prevention advocate, documentary filmmaker, and mother of four sons (ages 26, 20, 17, and 14). She took on the cause of childhood Lead poisoning and consumer goods safety advocacy after her sons were acutely Lead poisoned by the work of a painting contractor in 2005. Tamara lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and two youngest sons (who each have permanent disabilities from Lead exposure as infants).
 
I typed in mulch and found an article ““Vigoro” red recycled rubber mulch from Home Depot: positive for trace levels of Arsenic & Lead” – https://tamararubin.com/2022/10/vigoro-red-recycled-rubber-mulch-from-home-depot-positive-for-trace-levels-of-arsenic-lead/
 
 
 
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Is Cocoa Mulch Safe for Dogs?
 
Cocoa mulch is made with leftovers from chocolate production. While it looks beautiful and smells delicious, it could have the same impact on your dog as chocolate. This is because it contains low concentrations of theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. If ingested, it could cause vomiting and diarrhea, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. If large amounts are consumed, it could lead to muscle tremors or serious neurological problems, elevated heart rate, and even seizures, the ASPCA warns. If you are looking for a cocoa option for your garden, look for a product that has been tested and certified theobromine-free.
 
 
Is Rubber Mulch Safe for Dogs?
 
Rubber much is a durable option that is typically made from recycled tires. While it looks like wood, it’s not as fragrant, making your dog less likely to want to chew on it. However, it’s still best to keep your dog away from this type of mulch, as they are at risk of having an obstruction.
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Mr. TAL and I have completed all of our outdoor projects and plan to enjoy the summer!  Our biggest project was the mulch and now we can sit back and enjoy the view from our porch.  I hope this post helps you with current and future projects.  Enjoy!
If you are interested in older pet related posts, check them out here:
I’m Bobbi Jo, a lab-lover who took my passion for animals and dogs and turned it into something bigger.  When I adopted Jake and Maggie, my love for them became the driving force behind Two Adorable Labs, and my blog was born.  My hope is to not only share them with the world, but to help educate others on the importance of animal health and well-being.

Two Adorable Labs has become a collection of all that I love.  I’ll send one post each week on things that bring me joy on animal health, home decor, and food recipes for humans and our furry friends.  I hope you enjoy these posts and much as I do creating them!

Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com
Is Mulch Bad For Dogs? | www.twoadorablelabs.com

I love hearing from all of you and do my best to respond to each and every one of you.  I always enjoy your comments, feedback, and suggestions so keep them coming!  If I’ve posted a recipe (for our human and our furry friends) and you try it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @twoadorablelabs and use #twoadorablelabs​.

If you do try and love my recipes, I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating.  I read every single one and respond to them.  It also lets Google know that the website contains quality content.  The more comments and 5-star ratings, the more Google will show my blog in search results!  Thank you so much!

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Love, Jake and Maggie

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