Your beloved house cat may seem like the perfect cuddly companion, but he also shares 95.6 percent of his DNA with the fierce tiger. Just like the tiger, he needs a lot of protein—preferably meat—to survive. So, when cats are overweight, Mud Bay often recommends that owners consider reducing non-essential carbohydrates to help boost weight loss.
To find out more about the link between a cat’s biology and the right balance of macronutrients for felines, we talked to Julie McCulloch. Julie started as a part-time store staff member, but after a few years, she became the manager of the Sammamish store. She’s also an expert in cat weight loss, in part because she spent a lot of time helping her own cat, Khan, reach a healthy weight.
JM: Cats are what are known as obligate carnivores. That means their diet should primarily consist of high protein, high fat and little to no carbohydrate content. Any carbs they do tend to eat aren’t processed by their bodies very well, so carbohydrates can result in cats being more likely to be overweight.
JM: Kibble must have a certain amount of carbohydrates so the dough will hold together. There are a lot of good lower carbohydrate kibbles, but every kibble contains a minimum amount of carbohydrates.
So wet food, having higher moisture and lower carbohydrates, tends to be much better for cats who are losing weight or need to maintain a healthy weight. Moisture in food is very healthy for cats. It not only protects cats from dehydration, but there’s more bulk in moisture-rich foods, which can prevent overeating.
Raw food has even fewer carbs. And frozen raw food will naturally have the moisture in the food that your cat needs. All raw foods have beneficial natural enzymes in it, as well as being easier to digest than kibble.
JM: One of the biggest dangers for cats—which can happen if they don’t eat enough or don’t eat often–is what’s known as fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis). So, if you drastically reduce a cat’s food too quickly, it’s hard on the liver to process all that body fat so it can be used for fuel. It can be fatal for cats.
Going slow can help you figure out what’s right for your cat and their build, as well as make it easier for your cat to switch and adjust to a new diet. Three to four percent weight loss per month is ideal.
JM: Something to consider is how much you’re feeding, not just the food type. You may have cut carbs, but you may have changed to a food with a higher calorie content.
Other options are looking into different types of food. If you’re still using a kibble food, you might want to try cutting more carbohydrates by switching to a wet or a raw food.
And beyond diet—and this is always important—exercise is extremely important for cats to lose weight. So, try creating a play schedule, and figure out what best suits your cat’s activity needs along with their new diet.
My cat Khan, when he was younger, he was about 11 pounds or so. It doesn’t sound like much for a cat, but he has a small frame. And it meant that he was about two pounds overweight.
And when the vet first told he was overweight, I thought she was crazy. Having grown up with overweight or obese cats my entire life, an 11-pound cat was the smallest cat I’ve ever had.
So, I talked to my vet about different food options for him, and I mentioned that there was this pet food store near where I lived, called Mud Bay. And she said, “Yes, you could go there, and talk to them about different weight loss options for your cat.”
And so I did. I went to Mud Bay, I bought a lower carbohydrate, higher protein kibble for Khan after I talked to a Muddy.
And then, in about three months, I started working for Mud Bay. I started learning more about a cat’s diet and what it should contain, and what types of foods are better for them for weight loss. I transferred him to an all wet food diet shortly after that.
Then, after I got over my own squeamishness with raw food, I started feeding him a raw diet. Within about a year and a half or so, he had lost those two pounds. And ever since then, he’s been on a raw food diet, and I exercise him more frequently, and he’s hovering around a 2 ½ pounds loss.
JM: Well, of course, you can come into any Mud Bay. Just come in and ask for a staff member that has a lot of knowledge about cats or has helped their own cats lose weight. There’s a lot of us!
We can find a food option that works for you and your cat. Maybe you’re not interested in a raw or wet food diet, and so we can try a lower carbohydrate kibble for your cat. And there are tons of literature and solution sheets, like “How to Help a Cat Return to a Healthy Weight,” we’ll be happy to give you as well.
We can go over our new feeding calculator and the resulting feeding guidelines to help decide exactly what amount of food works best for your cat. Because every cat—just like every person—has varied nutritional requirements, and the manufacturer’s feeding guidelines aren’t rules. And we can set up a custom feeding plan for anyone who comes to Mud Bay.
We can also talk about an exercise regimen, and find out what works for your cat, as well as your personal lifestyle. We’ll just try a lot of different options together until we find out what works best for you.
Sammamish Store Manager Julie McCulloch has been a Muddy for nearly four years. Come visit the Sammamish store to talk to her about healthy weight, feline feeding or anything else you’d like to discuss.
Mud Bay Delivery offers free same-day delivery 🚚 when you order before 2 pm. From food and supplements to toys, treats, and even frozen items, we’ll bring it all right to your door. It’s available seven days a week, with free delivery on orders over $30.
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Shop anytime at MudBay.com and let Mud Bay Delivery bring your pet’s go-to items straight to you. Click the link in our bio to place your order today.
#mudbay #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pnw #pets
When the bone broth becomes the treat.
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Turn Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth into easy, homemade frozen treats with the Messy Mutts Silicone Treat Mold this summer. Made from flexible BPA- and PVC-free, food-grade silicone, the molds feature convenient fill lines for portioning and a notched center that makes it easy to break larger treats into smaller pieces.
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Pour in the collagen-rich bone broth, freeze, and serve. Made from humanely raised turkey bones and slow-simmered with pumpkin, carrot, and turmeric, it adds flavor, hydration, and enrichment to your dog’s day.
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Minimal prep. Maximum tail wags. Shop Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth and the Messy Mutts Bake and Freeze Dog treat maker in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #openfarm #messymutts #summer #staycool
Reduce. Reuse. Go for a walk.
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The Eco Collar and Leash Collection from RC Pets is made with REPREVE® webbing, created from 100% recycled plastic bottles. 🇨🇦 Proudly made in Vancouver, Canada, these collars and leashes are designed to be durable, comfortable, and ready for everyday adventures.
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And now you can shop RC Pets Eco Collar and Leashes for your dog in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #dogwalk #dogs #rcpets #recycled
Starting today our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn’t be easier to participate!
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Here’s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo or a video of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
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Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs.
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Want to participate, but need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Maybe a soccer ⚽️ ball for your pup with a certain soccer tournament kicking off this week? We’ve got you covered!
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Stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
It’s never a bad time to chill. 🧘♀️ 🐾
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Swell`s My Chill Time Premium Dog Gelato is made with functional ingredients like chamomile and passion flower tea, which help your pup stay cool, calm, and collected when summer activities makes thier day-to-day a little more stressful. Plus, it includes blackberries, 🥥 coconut milk, ginger, beets, and 🍯 🐝 honey, which are great for digestion and antioxidant support.
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Swell Premium Dog Gelato is not only a tasty treat on a hot summer day, but it also helps keep your pup living their best life and staying CHILL. Shop My Chill Time from Swell in-store or online at Mud Bay this summer. 🌞
#mudbay #swelldoggelato #swell #dogs #chill
Adventure-ready and made for the water, the Ruffwear Float Coat helps keep your dog comfortable during every swim.
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The Float Coat offers a secure, telescoping neck closure that adjusts to fit a variety of dog sizes, while the lightweight foam panels support natural movement and buoyancy in the water, keeping them comfortable and safe.
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Plus, it offers a super handy, low-profile handle that makes it easy to lift your pup out of the water, and reflective accents that add extra visibility for long days at the lake, beach, or river.
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Bring your pup in-store or shop with us online for the Ruffwear Float coat today!
#mudbay #summer #adventures #ruffwear #doglife
🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
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Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
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We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
#mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming
Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
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Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
🐾
Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
Canagan canned cat food is grain-free and made with your cat in mind, using high-quality protein from chicken, salmon, tuna, and more.
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It’s inspired by what cats are naturally built to eat, with a focus on animal protein and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
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It’s also an easy way to add moisture to your cat’s routine—something many cats don’t get enough of—which can help support your feline friend with kidney and urinary-tract health.
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🛍️ Shop Canagan Complete Cat Food in-store or online at Mud Bay.
Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
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Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming
Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
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Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
#mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets
🐾🌷The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection
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Meet Harley, out in the tulip fields and ready for her next outing in the Front Range Flex Harness, Collar, and Leash.
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Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or your next PNW adventure, this collection is designed for everyday use and changing conditions:
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Lightweight and built to handle wet conditions
Easy to clean, just hand-wash and air-dry
Made with durable materials for every outing
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Harley picked her look… now it’s your turn.
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The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection is now available at Mud Bay. Shop in-store or online today!
#mudbay #ruffwear #adventure #dogwalk #pnwdogs
