Watch Queue Queue. Mulch and Pet Safety. It is used to make a wide array of personal care and hygiene products for people, from toothpaste to mouthwash. Out of an abundance of caution I am going to say no, do not mulch your lawn with eucalyptus mulch and below you will read why I am saying this. Koala bears infamously chow down on eucalyptus, but that doesn't mean it's safe for your cat. Naturopaths and others who advocate eucalyptus' essential oil as medicine sometimes acknowledge these risks and admonish its use for felines. University of Maryland Medical Center: Eucalyptus, Cornell University Cornell Feline Health Center: Poisons, North Dakota State University: Questions on -- Cats, University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs with Similar Uses as -- Eucalyptus, The University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Insect Repellents, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: Pets and Toxic Plants. Specifically, many homeowners ask if dyed mulch (also called "colored mulch") is safe to handle when mulching plants or safe to use around food crops. Where can I get it? Most types of mulch are safe if ingested by an animal but there is one potentially toxic type of mulch made from the hulls of cocoa beans. Cocoa beans, harvested from the tropical cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao), contain theobromine, a product related to caffeine that humans assimilate very well, but that dogs and cats can’t metabolize. 9. Fresh eucalyptus isn't the only plant that can lead to discomfort, pain and even sickness in your beloved pet. Other studies … Q: Is melaleuca mulch safe to use? Cats can’t handle high concentrations of pinene, and buildup can result in liver toxicity, as it does with phenols. According to the ASPCA, fresh eucalyptus is indeed toxic to cats. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. If you put a woody mulch or raw sawdust from any tree all over your lawn and lay it on thickly you could kill or smother your lawn, depending on … Eucalyptus and eucalyptus-based products contain powerful disinfectants that are toxic to many animals, cats included. Is eucalyptus mulch that is colored red safe to use where there are dogs? Eucalyptus and eucalyptus-based products contain powerful disinfectants that are toxic to many animals, cats included. They are rapidly absorbed both orally and across the skin, and are then metabolized in the liver. Susan Murray used eucalyptus oil as a decongestant and it is quite commonly used for that purpose. Experience-Essential-Oils.com: Can I Use Essential Oils for Cats? It is true that oil from the Eucalyptus tree does repel insects. Cypress garden mulch is an organic mulch made from pond cypress trees (Taxodium distichum var. When a cat consumes generous enough amounts of the stuff, she may exhibit discomfort, including reduced activity of the central nervous system, throwing up, frequent and watery stools, feelings of weakness and excessive drooling. Your caution will very likely pay off. Eucalyptus in all forms -- from fresh to dried -- is used to produce many medicinal and cosmetic agents, including cough drops, toothpaste and even root canal fillings. According to the National Capital Poison Control Center: Cocoa bean mulch contains theobromine and caffeine, just like chocolate. The dangerous component of fresh eucalyptus is its essential oils, which are known as eucalyptol. Eucalyptus' strong odor tends to drive cats away so, historically, gardeners have exploited eucalyptus and its derivatives as a cat repellent. They may be effective, but they're probably also toxic. As such, it's important to know what plants are in and around the place your cat lives. The same goes for the smell of anise, citronella, perfumes, solid air fresheners, citrus, aloe and wintergreen. - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian. It adds an attractive touch to flower beds, … Cats can’t stand the smell of eucalyptus, though, which makes it an ideal cat repellent ingredient. Some natural flea control products contain eucalyptus and are still marketed to cat owners. Cats are particularly prone to eucalyptus poisoning. Cats are not able to properly metabolize the compounds within the oil, and this can lead to dangerous toxin accumulation within the body. Fortunately, a number of research studies have been conducted that looked at this issue. A: Yes, commercial, bagged melaleuca mulch has been composted thoroughly to kill viable seeds.It makes a good mulch because it does not float, it's long lasting, and it is not attractive to termites. If your dog happens to ingest it, it can cause everything from irregular heartbeats to seizures and … Much like bark mulch, wood chip and sawdust mulch can be safe for pets depending on the tree from which it comes, though sawdust rarely comes from one kind of tree. Eucalyptus is a fantastic home remedy. The University of California research concluded that, when handled properly, eucalyptus is safe for use in compost (i.e., incorporated into the growing medium). In the event of any of these possibly dangerous signs, get some emergency veterinary help for your fluff ball -- pronto. There are studies that show that Eucalyptus mulch does repel insects, especially termites. Dogs … If your cat ingested eucalyptus recently -- say, within the last hour or two -- a veterinarian or hotline specialist may recommend that you induce vomiting. How to Keep Cats out of Your Mulch and Garden ... Coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, or oil of lavender, lemongrass, citronella, mustard or eucalyptus also deter cats. Simply put, cats and fresh eucalyptus are not the greatest match. In Susan Murray’s case there may have been special circumstances which resulted in her cat being poisoned. Because there are so many different products on the market that contain different levels of eucalyptus, it's impossible to know whether eucalyptus essential oils are truly safe for dogs. Tub-ground mulch combines very fine to medium-sized particles. Generally, mulch poses little threat to cats, though it can become a haven for use as a litter box. It has been used as a garden plant to keep cats out of certain garden areas for years. The more you know about plant toxicity, the safer your cat will always be -- not a bad deal. There are some who say that mulch made of Eucalyptus itself has the same qualities. Not only is the plant poisonous to felines, but also to doggies and horses. Some products, particularly natural flea remedies, contain eucalyptus and are still marketed to pet owners. Creams, ointments and even sickness in your beloved pet discomfort, or even days often recommended by vets and! Also a good alternative to harvesting native cypress trees mulch contains theobromine and caffeine, just like chocolate with that... Use this information to train cats, not just the plant, but that does n't is eucalyptus mulch safe for cats it safe... Is to stay on the safe side and skip the diffuser altogether felines from using your bark mulched as... Symptoms run a gamut and sometimes include neurological episodes, including seizures essential enzyme in liver! Advice is to stay on the other hand, often chew on some of! Mulch contains theobromine and caffeine, just like chocolate, depression and weakness cat repellent.. Attractive touch to flower beds, … this video is unavailable mulch can safe... 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