Vigoro Mulch Safe For Dogs (2024)

FAQs

What type of mulch is safe for dogs? ›

Natural pine mulch, cypress mulch, and cedar mulch are the safest types of wood mulch. Pine straw is a safe mulch as it is all-natural, plus animals and pets do not chew on it. In any situation, natural and untreated mulches are preferred over man-made materials.

Large pieces of mulch, or large volumes of ingested material, can also result in gastrointestinal obstruction, which may require surgery. Some types of mulch contain herbicides to prevent weed growth. While most are relatively benign, some are toxic and may result in gastrointestinal upset.

A: ASPCA says pine mulch (and cedar mulch, hemlock bark) is safe for dogs--but probably depends on how pure the mulch is and free of contaminants like herbicides and insecticides.

If your dog should swallow some material, most mulch (wood or rubber) is likely to pass without incident, however there is always risk of digestive blockages. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog if they do consume mulch (especially wood mulch since it is prone to splinter).

Finally, avoid large, bark type mulch or big wood chips. Since these big pieces take a long time to decompose, and they end up depriving the soil and plants of nutrients.

Rougher mulch: Purchase bags of Pine Bark Nuggets, a larger type of mulch that will be hard (but not painful) on their feet and dogs will typically find this material too uncomfortable to squat on. Chicken wire: This trick may not keep your dogs off the mulch, but it will most likely stop them for digging.

The dyes used to color your mulch those vibrant hues of red or cocoa brown can potentially be very hazardous for your dog. For instance, that chocolate-colored mulch actually contains cocoa bean, which has a compound that can be toxic to animals.

But its not deadly toxic to dogs and only some dogs have reactions to it. I would not floor a dog pen with cedar mulch due to the fumes and also the fact that mulch soaks up urine making it not so great for dogs to be walking on. Cocoa mulch is toxic to dogs and should be avoided.

The problem, sometimes referred to as 'sour mulch' or 'toxic mulch', occurs when mulch is left is large piles and undergoes anaerobic conditions. This results in the production of acids and other compounds that can volatilize when the mulch is placed in beds, especially during hot weather.

The language on the packaging just says, "We recommend that this product be kept out of reach of children and pets" and "may be harmful if swallowed." No other, more severe warnings. 10 years of experience in general practice. My dogs got into some vigoro bone meal 1-11-0 last night whe ...

Is there a mulch that dogs don't like? ›

Mulch -- the material that is placed around shrubs and flowers -- can be a wood product, cocoa bean product or rock. Bark and shredded wood tend to get kicked out of beds more easily by dogs. Cocoa bean mulch lasts longer than wood mulch, but pet owners beware. This mulch has chocolate which is a toxin for dogs.

The Environmental Protection Agency has studied rubber mulch and found it to be a safe material, posing no health hazards to pets or people.

If you suspect that your pet has eaten cocoa mulch, or if you have any other type of mulch in your garden and you know that your pet has been grazing on it, call your veterinarian for an appointment without delay. All risks associated with mulch toxicity can become serious. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

Pine, cedar, and cypress are probably the three of the most popular mulch options and they should all be dog-friendly. To be completely safe consider these additional concerns: Larger mulch may present a choking hazard – If your mulch is primarily large pieces and your dog tries to swallow one, they may choke.

Rubber mulch is made from recycled material, so it's better for the environment than wood chips or other types of fillers. It also doesn't produce any dust or pollen, meaning there are fewer allergies for both dogs and humans alike!

Here are a few of the best ground covers for dogs (all of these are flowering, dog-safe ground cover options): Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) Labrador violet (Viola labradorica) Silver carpet (Stachys byzantina)

Perennial rye grass is known for its quick germination and dense growth, making it durable for high-traffic areas. White clover is also used, either with or without the rye grass, in dog areas because it's tough, low-growing, and withstands dog traffic well. It's also soft on paws and resistant to urine burn.

Cheaper, pre-bagged mulch products sold at discount stores and home improvement chains may not have the best practices or products used for dying the mulch, which could lead to safety issues for both dogs and humans. But generally speaking, when you ask is black mulch toxic, the answer is going to be a resounding “no.”