Cocoa shell mulch contains potentially lethal theobromine, smells like chocolate, attracts dogs and can be fatal to dogs and cats when consumed.
The product is manufactured by Hershey's Chocolate and sold at Target, Home Depot and other stores. It's advertised to keep cats away. Although the mulch has NO warnings printed on the label, the company's web site notes it's highly toxic to dogs and cats. Hershey's admits studies show 50% of dogs that eat cocoa mulch can suffer physical harm, but they claim 98% of dogs won't eat it. Pets are eating it, they are getting sick and they are dying. You can find it at www.snopes.com. - j -

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from flora: Here is what Snopes sez:

. snopes.com: Cocoa Mulch Danger to Dogs ••••
Cocoa mulch contains a chemical (theobromine) that can be harmful to pets?
...Cocoa Mulch Claim: Cocoa mulch contains a chemical (theobromine) that can be harmful to pets. Example: [Collected via e-mail, May 2003] Cocoa...
...Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that...
...caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17...
Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:34:36 GMT https://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

2. snopes.com: Sago Palm Dangerous to Pets •••
Can sago palm be poisonous to pets?
...in dogs. Chocolate (even the components of it found in some brands of cocoa mulch, a gardening product) can be deadly to cats and dogs. Sweet treats of...
Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:32:11 GMT https://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/sagopalm.asp