As the weather is getting warmer, many homeowners are beginning to treat lawns and tend to flower gardens.  Many pet lovers are unaware of the potential dangers these simple tasks may pose to dogs and cats and need to take precautions when preparing to use chemicals. 

As you work outside be sure to take an extra moment or two to protect your pets:

“Generally, most lawn seed and mulch products are not associated with toxic problems in pets. Cacao bean mulch is perhaps the only product known to cause poisoning in dogs. This mulch is made from the hulls of cacao beans and when fresh, has a rich chocolate aroma associated with it. Some larger breed dogs have actually eaten several pounds of the mulch; more then enough to develop poisoning associated with the chocolate remnants, so overly eager dogs should be kept away from the mulch until the aroma has dissipated. Generally a heavy rainfall or thorough watering is all that is required.”