An e-mail rumor/urban legend has resurfaced warning pet owners to avoid using cocoa beans as mulch. This rumor, apparently, has teeth. Although incidences of poisoning are infrequent, they do exist. The fatal ingredient in the mulch is theobromine. Actually, theobromine is found in the cocoa bean, but enough leaches into the shell to cause problems. Most pets do not ingest enough to be harmed, but some love the taste and eat enough to kill them. There are several vet sites online discussing the issue. Here are a couple:
http://www.parkvets.com/clientinformation-cocoamulch.html ,
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/radio/more/qa_071503.html
Warning to Pet Owners
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