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Question:

What is in potting soil that is harmful to pets?

On a bag of Bonnie‘s Professional Growing Mix All Purpose Potting Soil, it says Caution, keep away from children and pets, but the actual chemical ingredients are not listed. Can anyone tell me what is in there that could be harmful?

Answer:

Most potting mixes contain soil, peat moss, bark chips, vermiculite, sand and perlite as the primary ingredients. They may or may not add chemical fertilizers and wetting agents. None of these ingredients are particularly hazardous. However, if a pet or toddler were to eat a lot of it they would surely get sick just as they would if they ate a lot of dirt from the backyard. If pesticides were added to the potting mix, and I don't know any manufacturers who do that, that information would have to be printed on the label. Although I don't know the specifics of Bonnie's ingredients, I believe that the warning on the label is nothing more than a legal precaution by Bonnie's in the hopes they won't get sued for whatever reason.
the warning might be for the plastic bag

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