If you love to garden and are a responsible pet owner, you might be wondering if there is mulch for dogs. There are some mulches that must be avoided and others that are safer than others, even though no mulch is completely safe for dogs. You can both enjoy your landscaping efforts together without any additional stress by learning which mulches are the safest for your dog.
The best dog mulch is natural, free of metals, and pesticides. The best mulch for your pet, however, will differ based on their eating and toileting habits as well. For instance, a stone mulch is less suitable for your garden if your dog eats rocks. We go over which mulches are safe and which are not in this section.
Any material layered on top of the soil is considered a mulch. Use a mulch to prevent weed growth, improve soil fertility and health, retain moisture in the soil, and improve the area’s aesthetics. Typically, organic mulches allow soil to leach essential nutrients. Mulches can be made from a wide variety of materials, and the best option will depend on a number of factors. Their use is dependent on factors like availability, price, appearance, effects on the soil, and—possibly most importantly—their suitability for use around animals.
Mulches are not just for people to enjoy; they also provide curious dogs with new scents and textures to explore and can keep your pet warm when they are outside. Mulch is another common tool used by pet owners to prevent toxic weeds from growing in their gardens. Unfortunately, some types of mulch are not safe for dogs. When consumed, they are toxic or harmful to the digestive system.
Signs of Digestive Obstruction in Dogs
Some dogs simply can’t resist eating inappropriate items, which can cause a digestive obstruction. A digestive obstruction, as the name suggests, is a partial or complete blockage in the digestive tract, typically in the stomach or intestines of a dog.
Solids and liquids are unable to pass through an obstruction, which ultimately stops blood flow to the area and causes serious harm, including irreversible tissue death.
Signs of a stomach obstruction in dogs include:
Similar to poisoning, treating digestive obstruction in dogs at home or waiting it out is not advised. Call your vet right away.
You might still have some concerns about dog-safe options and mulch. View the frequently asked questions and responses about dog-safe mulch.
Since mulch frequently contains composted materials, which can be a sensory smorgasbord to canines, dogs may eat it because of its smell. Other mulches, like cocoa bean mulch, have a sweet aroma that makes you think of food.
Yes – it can be. Mulch can be harmful to dogs because it frequently contains toxic components, such as pesticides. Additionally, it might contain components with sharp edges that, if consumed by your dog, could hurt their paws, mouths, and intestines. If your dog consumes mulch, he might also experience a digestive obstruction.
How Can You Choose The Right Pet-Friendly Mulch?
Look for a type of mulch that is suitable for the plants you have in your garden and the local humidity.
Rubber mulch is a very durable option. It typically uses recycled tires and is long-lasting. Rubber mulch has the same appearance as wood mulch and won’t smell sweet like other types of mulch, so your dog won’t be as likely to chew on it.
However, if your dog chews on rubber mulch out of boredom, there is still a chance of gastrointestinal obstruction.
If you opt for a wood mulch, avoid treated wood. Dyed mulch and products with added chemicals are not good for the environment and would expose your dog to chemicals if ingested.
Cedar mulch is a popular option among pet owners. This is a pet-friendly mulch because it is finely shredded. If these fibers are consumed by your dog, he or she will be able to digest them. Cedar mulch also has excellent bug repelling properties.
If you’ve recently added mulch to your garden, keep an eye on your dog. Consider removing or replacing the mulch with a different kind if your dog seems drawn to the area and chews on it.
To prevent your pet from accessing the mulch, you can also install a metal mesh over it. Additionally, spraying mulch with apple cider vinegar or garlic water will stop your dog from chewing on it.
What Does Mulch Do for Gardens?
For the best gardens, mulch has been used for centuries to prevent water loss, control weed growth, and shield plants from extreme heat or cold. Early mulch was a combination of straw, leaves, and dirt. Mulch also reduced soil erosion by delaying the time when water first contacts the soil. The majority of mulches contain nutrients that seep into the soil because they are made of organic materials that decompose. This not only promotes the growth of the roots but also strengthens the soil’s structure to reduce erosion.
Mulch is also helpful for pet owners. The proper depth of mulch can help prevent your dog from damaging your gardens. Most dogs won’t attempt to dig through larger pieces of mulch to reach the soil, though this isn’t a guarantee. This keeps your garden beds looking neat and tidy.
Modern mulch, however, also comes in synthetic and rock varieties. Although they don’t decompose, these mulches still protect your garden from erosion and weed growth as well as provide insulation. But even modern organic mulches differ from the basic straw and leaf mixture we started with. Modern organic mulches are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and additives with the goal of promoting your garden’s growth. But regrettably, some contemporary mulches are harmful to dogs.
There are multiple reasons why dogs eat mulch. First of all, dogs chew naturally, especially when they’re puppies. They are also curious by nature. Dogs enjoy exploring and trying new things, so if you’ve never used mulch in the garden before, they might give it a test-run nibble. Puppies should be watched when in your garden because they are particularly curious and you never know what they might try to eat.
Dogs occasionally chew on wood when their diet is deficient in nutrients, but most of the time they do so out of boredom or curiosity. Because it smells like decay, mulch can also be appealing to dogs.
FAQ
Is mulch toxic to dogs?
Any kind of mulch might contain pesticides or molds that are toxic to dogs if consumed. Mold can grow on cocoa bean mulch, and other types of mulch may have molds like penitrem A and roquefortine that can cause nausea, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures. A more severe toxic reaction could even be fatal.
What is the best mulch for a dog run?
While some mulches are largely safe for dogs, others may seriously endanger their health. For families with 4-footers, pine bark and cypress mulch are two of the best options. However, there are a number of additional secure choices, such as pine straw and cedar mulch.
What is the least toxic mulch?
Shredded or chipped wood, shredded bark, and pine needles are the types of organic mulches that are least likely to contain any pesticides or herbicides.
What is the safest ground cover for dogs?
- Silver carpet (dymondia margaretae) …
- Irish moss (sagina subulata) …
- Elfin thyme (thymus serpyllum “elfin”) …
- Miniature stonecrop (sedum requieni) …
- Labrador violet (viola labradorica) …
- Snow in summer (cerastium tomentosum) …
- Winter creeper (euonymus fortunei)