How to Safely Adventure with Your Pup
Healthy Dogs | May 1, 2023
Dogs can be amazing companions during any outdoor adventure. In the PNW, there are so many opportunities for adventuring—from hiking to paddle boarding to mountain biking, and so much more. In visiting the wild places throughout the PNW, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. So, cue the 10 Essentials!
If you’re familiar with outdoor recreation, you may have heard of the 10 Essentials for humans, but this list is equally as important for your dog. We recommend keeping these essentials close no matter what adventure you and your pup are on. Being prepared for any situation is part of being a pet parent and these essentials can be utilized during any adventure.
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Harness
While some pet owners and trainers may prefer to walk their pets on a collar alone, we recommend a harness over a collar for walking. This recommendation has a few benefits. For many dogs, walking on a harness can mean less strain over time on their neck and esophagus over time. Harnesses can also offer more versatility and control while training. When taking dogs off of city sidewalks and into more rough terrain, a harness provides the added benefit of being harder to slip out of in any uncomfortable situations and helps you assist your pet with tricky-to-travel areas.
Collars
We recommend that every pet spending time outdoors in any fashion should wear a collar with current tags and microchip information. If they were to ever become lost, especially in an unfamiliar area, this can help to ensure they are returned home safely. For dogs spending a lot of time in the dirt, exposed to the elements, or taking lake dips, a water- and stick-proof collar can be the ideal candidate.
Leads
The 4 to 6’ leash that folks are using every day can be a great starting point. Bringing along a climbing-worthy carabiner to attach the leash to pack straps can be one way to add some hands-free flexibility. However, there are many leashes that are specifically designed to be converted to waist-worn, so you can stay hands-free while hiking. The adjustable loop on these leads can also act as a handy tie-out when hiking, camping, traveling, or just heading to your favorite local spot.
One of the most prominent elements of “Leave No Trace Ethics” is packing out whatever is packed in. And this is especially true for cleaning up after your pet and packing out their waste. We recommend always coming prepared with your preferred bags to pick up your dog’s poop and finding the method that works best for you to carry the waste with you. Having a used waste bag holder can make it super easy to carry your dog’s waste back down the trail, and help avoid that awkward moment of getting back to your vehicle only to remember that you left that poop bag on the side of the trail 2 miles back.
A great starting point if you don’t already have one, is to buy a first aid kit specifically for pets. This will often cover you with all the essentials you need should the unexpected happen on your next adventure.
You can add a few key items to your own first aid kit for your pet. It should include at a minimum: vet wrap, gauze, your pet’s necessary medications, hydrogen peroxide, a syringe, gloves, hand sanitizer, tick key, and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). A mesh muzzle is also handy, but a cloth bandage or bandana can also be used to fashion an emergency muzzle if needed and may already be a part of your personal first aid kit.
Nutrition
Whether it’s a long hike or a quick swim off the paddle board, it’s important to provide snacks or food to replace the extra calories your dog’s burned. Bringing plenty of clean water for your pet is also important, so you don’t have to look for a fountain wherever your wandering takes you.
Hydration
For water, it’s best to bring roughly 1 liter for every 20 pounds of body weight for your pet. You may also want to plan for an extra liter for yourself and each one of your pets, especially on those warm days.
Treat Pouch
Make those snack breaks a little bit smoother with a handy treat pouch to store your high-calorie foods and treats. There are also many opportunities to incorporate training and positive social interactions on busy trails, so having rewards handy is always helpful!
Never underestimate the need for and ease of a good travel food and water bowl. Some pets can be surprisingly picky about what they will eat or drink from, especially when flooded with the novelty of new environments. Keeping their favorite style of travel bowl with you whenever you leave the house you can help to ensure there are no barriers to staying well-fed and hydrated.
#6: Flea, Tick & Insect RepellentAt home, we may only worry about encountering fleas here and there throughout the year, but when venturing out to more rugged areas, we begin to add to the list of worrisome pests. Ticks are, unfortunately, becoming more prevalent in the Pacific Northwest and mosquitoes don’t just love people, but our pets, too! To help avoid exposure, it’s best to ensure your pet is up to date on their flea and tick preventative and/or reapply your favorite natural flea and tick repellent frequently, especially after your pet takes a refreshing dip in an alpine lake!
Paw injuries can be some of the most uncomfortable minor injuries our pets experience and the most challenging to help heal. They can happen anywhere, but the changes increase exponentially when walking across rougher terrain than their paw pads are accustomed to. Even just walking through muddy terrain for extended periods can lead to abrasions on paw pads. A sturdy pair of boots or a specific paw wax can help alleviate paw injuries.
The weather can change in the PNW in the blink of an eye and the higher you go in elevation, the quicker this happens and the more extreme the ensuing change can turn out to be. It is important to bring layers for your pet that will help them stay comfortable and dry, should you get caught in an unexpected shift in weather. Layers are also helpful to account for changing seasons; less in the summer, more in the shoulder season, and even more in the winter. Think light and packable when and where possible!
Pets with short coats are especially prone to getting sunburnt and any pet can suffer from heat-exposure illnesses just as easily as we can. It’s very important that we bring along precautions to protect them. If you’re feeling overheated or uncomfortable in the sun, chances are your pet is really feeling it with their fur coat and inability to sweat. On warm days, plan your outings and breaks in shady areas or near lakes where your pet can take a dip and cool off.
#10: Backpack or Other CarrierAnd who will carry all those essentials?
Depending on your dog’s size, they can carry most or all of these in their own backpack. Just be sure not to fill with any weight greater than 25% of your dog’s ideal body weight.
Most owners will likely choose to carry their dogs’ essentials along with their own and, depending on the age, health, and stamina of your pet, you may need to carry them as well! So having an easy-to-use and comfortable option to carry your pet is nice, too!
Updated 4/2025
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
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😃 Tag us and tag a friend
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We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
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Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
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Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
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Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
Shhhhh! 🤫
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Don’t tell your cats or dogs just yet, but we have two new Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas landing in-store next month! We also want to let you know we`ll be offering a giveaway so that your pets can enjoy one of the new formulas.
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More details to come, so stay tuned for your chance to win a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-dried toppers.
#mudbay #airdried #comingsoon #airdriedtopper #giveaway
