The Unexpected Danger Lurking In Your Mulch That Could Harm Your Pets

When it's time to add more mulch to your garden, you're probably focused on the benefits it can have for your plants — not about how the covering could potentially bring harm to your pets. If you've got a dog (or even a cat) who loves to dig in your yard, they might occasionally eat some of the mulch you've added to your garden. Not only can the scent of mulch be unusual or inviting, but they may also ingest some mulch while they're busy digging in the yard or eating other small tidbits they find laying around. 

However, the trouble with giving your pet access to mulch is that it can contain microplastics, small pieces of trash, and even bits of metal. These pieces can be small and hard to sift out of the mulch, which could cause your pet to accidentally ingest some of them. This can be highly dangerous to your animals. Inedible materials can block your pet's digestive system and cause internal injuries, both of which can be fatal. Even a tiny piece of plastic or metal could cause your four-legged friend a lot of harm. Keep in mind that even if you don't own pets, this can also apply to public parks or recreational areas with mulch, neighborhood animals that may wander into your yard, and even local wildlife. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent this issue from occurring.

The first option you can take to negate the risk of your pet ingesting hazardous materials is to make all your mulch yourself. Plastic can find its way into any mulch you purchase in a variety of ways, including improper sorting of compostable materials. Plus, it's practically impossible to find every little piece of harmful plastic that could be in the pounds upon pounds of mulch you buy. Instead, starting a homemade compost bin or mulch bin is a great way to lower the risk of finding trash in your mulch, as long as you keep a close eye on what you're composting.

If you still want to buy mulch rather than make it, look for mulch that consists entirely of wood chips. These chips are generally collected straight from tree trimmings, which lowers the risk of plastic ending up in your mulch pile. Additionally, certain types of wood — like cedar — can actually repel dogs and cats, who don't typically like the scent.

You could also look into mulch alternatives for your yard. If you're using mulch primarily for styling purposes, you may want to look into using loose stones or pebbles rather than mulch. However, if you're truly set on purchasing organic mulch that might have plastic in it, your best bet is to keep your pets inside when they're not being strictly supervised. Keep an eye on them and stop them from digging in any areas near mulch. Further, always stay clear of mulch that is inherently toxic to pets, such as cocoa shell mulch.