Dissolvable packing materials - animal safe?

[whatausername]

Those packing pellets that used to be made of polystyrene can now dissolve in water. Any idea if they are harmful to animals? Don't want to dissolve them on the grass or surrounding area and have paws absorbing them or some critter chewing the grass and becoming ill. Lots of wildlife in garden and plenty of pets about. I think the pellets can also now go in recycling - I forget which type, probably the garden waste.

The water soluble ones are made from cornstarch (or sometimes other grains) - they are essentially cheesy wotsits without the cheese flavouring. You can compost them or put them in the garden waste bin, and they won't harm any wildlife that eats a bit - although they probably don't have much nutritional value.