According to the National Capital Poison Control Center: Cocoa bean mulch contains theobromine and caffeine, just like chocolate. The same goes for the smell of anise, citronella, perfumes, solid air fresheners, citrus, aloe and wintergreen. The dangerous component of fresh eucalyptus is its essential oils, which are known as eucalyptol. You can use eucalyptus on sunburned skin, and its fresh, pleasant scent soothes your senses, too. Watch Queue Queue Cocoa bean mulch contains a toxin called theobromine. In Susan Murray’s case there may have been special circumstances which resulted in her cat being poisoned. The trees are ground into chips or shredded. - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian. Cats can’t stand the smell of eucalyptus, though, which makes it an ideal cat repellent ingredient. 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. Eucalyptus may sound wonderfully exotic to you, just like the outback, kangaroos and koalas of its native Australia. Cats lack an essential enzyme in their liver and as such have difficulty metabolizing and eliminating certain toxins like essential oils. 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. Not matter how beautiful and charming any of these plants may be, keep them away from your kitty at all times. According to the ASPCA, fresh eucalyptus is indeed toxic to cats. Make sure that you always keep all the important things in mind before you use eucalyptus oil for dogs. Undiluted eucalyptol can be harmful -- and without veterinary care, possibly even fatal -- in any amount, so keep it away from your pet no matter what. 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. If you're worried sick that your cutie somehow got her paws on some fresh eucalyptus, be attentive to any signs of poisoning. Is eucalyptus mulch that is colored red safe to use where there are dogs? Below are a few practical tips on how to dissuade felines from using your bark mulched garden as their litter box. Keep reading more about mulch and pet safety so you can avoid any problems later down the road. 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. But the dye on colored mulch is less of an issue … You can use this information to train cats, but the risk of poisoning probably outweighs the potential behavior alterations. Although the trees may seem peacefully scenic and beautiful, they actually can be potentially very harmful to your feline friend. Other safe options are available in pet stores for rabbits. Fortunately, a number of research studies have been conducted that looked at this issue. They're still probably poisonous. Not only is the plant poisonous to felines, but also to doggies and horses. Q: Is melaleuca mulch safe to use? nutans) and bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum). Some plants have the ability to discourage the growth of other plants by a process called allelopathy. Apart from the image of adorable koala bears tightly cuddling its branches, the tree is also revered for its fresh fragrance, vast height and pretty, bright red flowers. Other studies … Keeping cats, mulch and your garden happy MetPet.com staff writer Here's the puzzle, you just put in a new layer of bark dust, bark chips, gorilla hair (shredded bark) or other fresh scented mulch and now you're finding it in small piles all over the yard. Cats … Watch Queue Queue. Our advice is to stay on the safe side and skip the diffuser altogether. 8. There are studies that show that Eucalyptus mulch does repel insects, especially termites. seems like the cats et al will probably avoid it if it is too heavy in the air, and as it settles down they should be ok, but eucalyptus is not pine needles, so caution/ observation seems prudent maybe the best thing is to do a test before making a full committment to it, spread some in a control area and see what the animals do, especially the chickens since they are most likely to try and scratch in it, but most of the … Koala bears infamously chow down on eucalyptus, but that doesn't mean it's safe for your cat. Generally, mulch poses little threat to cats, though it can become a haven for use as a litter box. If your dog happens to ingest it, it can cause everything from irregular heartbeats to seizures and … Some examples of dangerous plants to felines include trumpet lilies, California ivy, sweet peas, primrose and English holly. Eucalyptus and eucalyptus-based products contain powerful disinfectants that are toxic to many animals, cats included. The eucalyptus plant is the major source of eucalyptus oil, which is used in many products for its antiseptic properties, scent, and flavoring. It is also a good alternative to harvesting native cypress trees. 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. 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. Not to mention, you must seek advice from your vet so that the process can be safe and smooth. 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. Eucalyptus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs largely native to Australia. Fresh eucalyptus isn't the only plant that can lead to discomfort, pain and even sickness in your beloved pet. They’ve never shown any ill effects from this behavior, but pinene is much more concentrated in essential oils than it is in pine mulch. Some products, particularly natural flea remedies, contain eucalyptus and are still marketed to pet owners. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. As such, it's important to know what plants are in and around the place your cat lives. Eucalyptus is extremely deadly for cats, not just the plant, but also (and maybe even more so) the oil. The higher the concentration of … Dyed Mulch Can Be Safe to Use, Depending on Source of Wood . If your cat ingested eucalyptus recently -- say, within the last hour or two -- a veterinarian or hotline specialist may recommend that you induce vomiting. When ingested in sufficient amounts this oil, eucalyptol, is an irritant to the gastrointestinal system, causing discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is used to make a wide array of personal care and hygiene products for people, from toothpaste to mouthwash. According to the ASPCA, fresh eucalyptus is indeed toxic to cats. Your caution will very likely pay off. Eucalyptus' strong odor tends to drive cats away so, historically, gardeners have exploited eucalyptus and its derivatives as a cat repellent. Not only is the plant poisonous to felines, but also to doggies and horses. The organic oil is totally clear in color and offers disinfectant properties. It is true that oil from the Eucalyptus tree does repel insects. Lay down chicken wire or bird netting and lightly cover it with mulch in areas they really like. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. University of Maryland Medical Center: Eucalyptus, ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats. Cats dislike citrus smells. Its essential oil is often extracted for use as a disinfectant. Exposure comes from eucalyptus plants themselves and a variety of medicines, creams, ointments and even mouthwashes. Mulch and Pet Safety. This often wrongly called recycled mulch, which should really be called non composted land cleared tub ground mulch or Raw Mulch, or better still, ‘pollution mulch’, is usually produced using every bad practice possible. 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. Yes, eucalyptus plants and oils are harmful to cats. 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. The eucalyptus tree comes from the land down under -- Australia. There are some who say that mulch made of Eucalyptus itself has the same qualities. 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. If your cat shows eucalyptus poisoning symptoms, call a veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline. Cat poop can harbor pathogens which can be harmful to humans. The plant itself is toxic to cats, and the smell is one they dislike. This video is unavailable. 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. 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