MARQUETTE -- An item that you may be using for gardening could be harmful to your animal if eaten.

Cocoa bean mulch is organic.  The mulch deters slugs and snails and gives a garden an appealing chocolate smell, but it also attracts dogs, who can easily be poisoned by eating too much of it.

"You just want to pay attention to your dog and watch what they're doing," says Mare-Z-Doats manager, Andy Hallinen.  "Pay attention to what they're ingesting.  If you were to buy a large quantity of a dog that might possess tendencies to want to eat everything that it encounters, you might want to watch out when using the cocoa bean as mulch."

Hallinen also says if you're concerned that your dog will eat the mulch, Mare-Z-Doats carries safe alternatives.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten cocoa bean mulch, it's recommended that you immediately contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.