Middle South
June, 2006
Regional Report
Web Finds
Keep Pets Safe
Summertime means time spent outdoors for both you and your furry friends. That means frolicking and fun, but potential hazards, too. Fertilizers, pesticides, and power equipment can spell trouble, as can poisonous plants. Take a moment to peruse the following pages on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Web site:
Keep Your Pets Safe While Maintaining Your Lawn And Garden
Toxic Plants
Nontoxic Plants
Ten Most Common Poisonous Plants
Animal Poison Control Center Home page
Clever Gardening Technique
Don't Let Dogs Eat Cocoa Mulch
Cocoa bean shells, a by-product of chocolate production, have become popular for mulching. However, there is some evidence that the mulch can be harmful to dogs. It seems that some dogs like the taste of it and can potentially eat enough to make them ill. As you probably know, theobromine, a component of chocolate, is toxic to dogs. Although the theobromine content of the mulch is relatively low compared to chocolate, it makes sense to err on the side of caution and either avoid using the mulch in areas frequented by dogs, or at least observe dogs carefully to make sure they aren't prone to nibbling. For more information, read this article from the ASPCA Web site: "Cocoa Bean Mulch As A Cause Of Methylxanthine Toxicosis In Dogs" (http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_publicationscocoa).
