CLEVELAND -- Pet experts say a cocoa mulch can pose a serious health risk to pets.

This type of mulch is made of the husks of the cocoa bean.

May 30: Mulch May Make Pets Sick

Local landscapers said it has become popular in northeast Ohio recently because of its aroma. But that aroma can also reportedly attract dogs and cats.

If a pet consumes a large amount of mulch it can cause them serious digestive problems, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA.

An expert with the poison control hotline for the ASPCA told NewsChannel5 that any kind of mulch can cause illness if a pet eats too much, but the smell of the cocoa mulch could be particularly attractive.

The ASPCA suggests pet owners keep their pets away from mulched areas. Anyone concerned about something their pet may have ingested can call the ASPCA's poison hotline: 888-426-4435 or go to the Web site.