Hi everyone, since we have just finished doing our front gardens, and we used red mulch for the first time in the garden and around the front tree, I wanted to look up if cedar mulch is dangerous or toxic to dogs. My two don't go on the front lawn, we take them for walks off the complex because we live in a condominium complex and there are only 3 dogs in this complex, and there are a lot of condo rules.
This is what I found regarding cedar mulch and dogs:
Is Cedar Mulch Safe for Dogs?
By Penny Porter, eHow Contributor
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Weigh the benefits and risks before using cedar mulch near your dog.
Pet care experts have conflicting opinions regarding the safety of using cedar mulch in landscaping near pets or as pet bedding. While some experts warn of the potential health risks associated with using cedar mulch, others suggest cedar and other wood mulches are safe when used cautiously. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!
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Is it Safe to Place Mulch Against the Foundation of Your House? Is Cedar Mulch Toxic?
Benefits
Applied to flower beds, gardens and around trees, cedar mulch provides a ground cover to prevent the growth of weeds and help soil retain moisture. As the cedar mulch decays on the garden it provides nutrients to the soil to produce healthier plants. Cedar chips used as pet bedding help absorb moisture and provide insulation to keep outside dogs dry and warm during cold weather. The strong odor of cedar pet bedding also helps control unpleasant pet odors while repelling ticks and fleas.
Mild Reactions
Exposure to cedar pet bedding may cause skin irritation or redness in some dogs. If dogs consume large amounts of cedar and other wood mulches, essential oils and resins may cause vomiting and excessive drooling. Wood mulch may cause bowel and stomach obstructions while sharp pieces may also tear the bowels, esophagus or stomach lining. Excessive amounts may produce the same reactions as chocolate poisoning, causing diarrhea, increased heart rate and tremors. Stomach pumping may be necessary to remedy these intestinal problems.
So it's not so good or safe for our Furbabies, and they should be kept away from the mulch.
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Keep your furry pal safe in your garden.
If you're an avid gardener, then you're probably fully aware of the importance of mulch. After all, the stuff helps keep your soil well-hydrated and also keeps pesky weeds at bay. However, some common types of mulch can be toxic to your precious dog, so be extremely careful.
Cedar Mulch
If your doggie spends a lot of time in your backyard, then it's almost inevitable that he'll end up in the mulch. However, mulch can bring upon some negative effects in your pet if he consumes any of it, according to the ASPCA. Wood-based mulches often consist of resins and natural aromatic oils that may present discomfort to your cutie's digestive tract. If your dog somehow eats a lot of cedar mulch, it could even trigger some physiological issues within his central nervous system -- not good at all
Symptoms
In the event that you are suspicious that your dog got his paws in the mulch and actually ate some, keep your eyes wide open for indications of digestive distress, such as appetite loss, throwing up and excessive salivation. Also be alert for any indications of central nervous system difficulties, including slow heart rate and problems breathing. Upon observing any of these symptoms, seek emergency veterinary care for your dog. Every second counts in these types of health situations, so act swiftly.
Cocoa Mulch
Although cedar mulch can indeed bring upon potential harm to canines, the Humane Society of the United States indicates that it is of lesser danger than another common mulch type -- cocoa mulch. Mulches made of cocoa bean shells are often adored for their cozy, chocolatey scent. However, similarly to sweet chocolate itself, these mulches can be extremely toxic to your beloved pet, in severe situations sometimes leading to convulsions, tremors, diarrhea, throwing up and an unusually fast heart rate. The more cocoa mulch your pet consumes, the more serious the symptoms typically get, unsurprisingly. Act immediately if you suspect for any reason that your dog ingested any cocoa mulch at all. Cocoa mulch consumption in pets is a serious veterinary emergency, and sometimes can even be fatal.
Monitoring
Wood-based gardening mulches, as mentioned before, are in no way entirely risk-free when it comes to your dog. Apart from cedar mulch, some other examples of these are hemlock bark, shredded pine, fir and spruce. However, the Humane Society of the United States notes they are still significantly less dangerous options when compared with cocoa. If you utilize any cedar or other wood mulch in your garden, never allow your dog to roam free unless you are closely monitoring him 100 percent of the time.
This is what I found regarding cedar mulch and dogs:
Is Cedar Mulch Safe for Dogs?
By Penny Porter, eHow Contributor
Share
Print this article
Weigh the benefits and risks before using cedar mulch near your dog.
Pet care experts have conflicting opinions regarding the safety of using cedar mulch in landscaping near pets or as pet bedding. While some experts warn of the potential health risks associated with using cedar mulch, others suggest cedar and other wood mulches are safe when used cautiously. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!
Other People Are Reading
Is it Safe to Place Mulch Against the Foundation of Your House? Is Cedar Mulch Toxic?
Benefits
Applied to flower beds, gardens and around trees, cedar mulch provides a ground cover to prevent the growth of weeds and help soil retain moisture. As the cedar mulch decays on the garden it provides nutrients to the soil to produce healthier plants. Cedar chips used as pet bedding help absorb moisture and provide insulation to keep outside dogs dry and warm during cold weather. The strong odor of cedar pet bedding also helps control unpleasant pet odors while repelling ticks and fleas.
Mild Reactions
Exposure to cedar pet bedding may cause skin irritation or redness in some dogs. If dogs consume large amounts of cedar and other wood mulches, essential oils and resins may cause vomiting and excessive drooling. Wood mulch may cause bowel and stomach obstructions while sharp pieces may also tear the bowels, esophagus or stomach lining. Excessive amounts may produce the same reactions as chocolate poisoning, causing diarrhea, increased heart rate and tremors. Stomach pumping may be necessary to remedy these intestinal problems.
So it's not so good or safe for our Furbabies, and they should be kept away from the mulch.
Share
RSS
Keep your furry pal safe in your garden.
If you're an avid gardener, then you're probably fully aware of the importance of mulch. After all, the stuff helps keep your soil well-hydrated and also keeps pesky weeds at bay. However, some common types of mulch can be toxic to your precious dog, so be extremely careful.
Cedar Mulch
If your doggie spends a lot of time in your backyard, then it's almost inevitable that he'll end up in the mulch. However, mulch can bring upon some negative effects in your pet if he consumes any of it, according to the ASPCA. Wood-based mulches often consist of resins and natural aromatic oils that may present discomfort to your cutie's digestive tract. If your dog somehow eats a lot of cedar mulch, it could even trigger some physiological issues within his central nervous system -- not good at all
Symptoms
In the event that you are suspicious that your dog got his paws in the mulch and actually ate some, keep your eyes wide open for indications of digestive distress, such as appetite loss, throwing up and excessive salivation. Also be alert for any indications of central nervous system difficulties, including slow heart rate and problems breathing. Upon observing any of these symptoms, seek emergency veterinary care for your dog. Every second counts in these types of health situations, so act swiftly.
Cocoa Mulch
Although cedar mulch can indeed bring upon potential harm to canines, the Humane Society of the United States indicates that it is of lesser danger than another common mulch type -- cocoa mulch. Mulches made of cocoa bean shells are often adored for their cozy, chocolatey scent. However, similarly to sweet chocolate itself, these mulches can be extremely toxic to your beloved pet, in severe situations sometimes leading to convulsions, tremors, diarrhea, throwing up and an unusually fast heart rate. The more cocoa mulch your pet consumes, the more serious the symptoms typically get, unsurprisingly. Act immediately if you suspect for any reason that your dog ingested any cocoa mulch at all. Cocoa mulch consumption in pets is a serious veterinary emergency, and sometimes can even be fatal.
Monitoring
Wood-based gardening mulches, as mentioned before, are in no way entirely risk-free when it comes to your dog. Apart from cedar mulch, some other examples of these are hemlock bark, shredded pine, fir and spruce. However, the Humane Society of the United States notes they are still significantly less dangerous options when compared with cocoa. If you utilize any cedar or other wood mulch in your garden, never allow your dog to roam free unless you are closely monitoring him 100 percent of the time.
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