A Visual Guide to Adding Variety to Your Dog or Cat’s Diet

Different Ways to Approach Mealtimes with Your Pet

Healthy Cats |  December 16, 2021

Try Free Samples to Find a Rotational Feeding Plan Your Pet Will Love

Nutritional variety is essential for all dogs and cats. No matter how balanced, nutritious and carefully made dog and cat foods are, variety through feeding different proteins to your household carnivores is one of the best ways to support the health of your pet.

Variety doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. If you feed kibble, the goal should be adding some less processed protein through a topper of wet or raw food. If that isn’t possible for your household, you can rotate between different flavors of the kibble you buy to make sure your dog or cat is eating different proteins every time you buy a new bag of food.

If you already feed wet or raw food, focus on switching between different proteins and adding less processed sources of protein where you can. Consider adding a fish oil supplement to all foods for a more potent form of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Explore your local Mud Bay by visiting our store or browsing online for a new flavor or food form if it’s been a while since your dog or cat has tried a new food. If you need help, be sure to talk to a Muddy at your local store. We can make recommendations to fit any budget or diet. And if you’re not sure what will fit your dog or cat’s needs, we have free samples for your pet to try, too.

Different Feeding Approaches for Cats

Ready to add more variety to your cat’s diet? Depending on your cat’s preferences and your household’s needs, there are several approaches to consider. First, think about how many meals you can feed your cat. Cats thrive on frequent small meals, so if you have the ability you might want to offer them four or five small meals throughout the day. Second, consider how much variety your cat will accept. Older cats may have preferences that are difficult to change, while kittens will usually accept many varieties of foods. Finally, see how you can add more moisture to your cat’s diet. Cats don’t have the thirst drive of other animals, which can lead to chronic dehydration and kidney problems. Feeding moisture-rich foods and supplements can help your cat stay healthy throughout their life.

To see how adding more variety might work for your cat, take a look at these three examples of cat feeding plans.

brown dog licking large pumpkin

Different Feeding Approaches for Dogs

Dogs often happily accept more variety in their diet, but they can experience stomach upset if they’ve been eating one single food for months or years. Adding a digestive supplement as you slowly add variety to your dog’s diet can significantly reduce or eliminate the chance of digestive issues in most dogs. Budget can be a significant concern when adding variety, especially for larger dogs. Consider using a high-quality kibble as a base and supplementing with another food type, or at the least rotating among different proteins or brands every time you purchase a new bag of kibble. If you’re supplementing with a balanced food form made for dogs, such as wet or raw food, consider a 25% minimally processed food form and 75% kibble split. If you want to supplement with whole foods, such as eggs, sardines and meat, make sure that they are less than 10% of the overall diet. Rotate through different foods depending on the day or week for the best nutritional results.

Below are three different meal plans made for three very different dogs that all incorporate variety.

We have all the treats, toys, and zoomie-inducing catnip options for your cat, both in-store and online at Mud Bay. 
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So whether you have a cat who likes to bite, rabbit-kick, or lie back and relax with a nice treat and some catnip, we have what your feline friend needs to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.🐈
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Oven-fresh meals straight to your dog’s bowl.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest is a high-protein, oven-baked dog food, basted in bone broth to support your dog’s digestion and joint health.
Nulo only uses high-quality proteins like turkey, herring, chicken, pork, lamb, and beef, then bakes each formula slowly at low temperatures to retain nutrients and make meals easier to digest.
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Choose from Adult recipes such as Chicken & Whitefish, Turkey & Herring, or Pork & Lamb, available in 4-lb or 25-lb bags. For small breeds, Beef & Lamb comes in 4-lb and 10-lb bags.
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Shop Nulo Culinary Harvest Oven-Baked Dog Food in stores or order online today!
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Looking for a simple way to slow things down at mealtime or keep your dog busy?🤔 
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The Walkabout from Woof is a multi-purpose enrichment toy that can hold up to 2 cups of food or treats. Just twist it open, fill it up, and rotate the inner dial to adjust how quickly food is released. 
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It’s designed for quieter play, gentle on teeth, and safe for your floors—no marks, no noise, just steady engagement.
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A great option for busy days, working from home, or dogs that need a little extra enrichment. 🛒 🛍️ Shop the Walkabout in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂 
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We want to know your dog’s favorite woof Pupsicle recipe. Let us know what your pup loves most in their Pupsicle. We’d love to share your recipes with our followers, too. 
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Send us a DM, leave a comment, share photos, or tag us in your favorite woof recipe. We might even make your recipe in-store and give you a shout-out! We can’t wait to hear from you. 
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Stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing some of your recipes 🧑‍🍳 in the coming weeks! 
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Furvor bone 🦴  broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine. 
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
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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.
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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.
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