With over half of all canines considered overweight, dog weight loss is at the forefront of a lot of pet owner’s minds. While we know that a healthy weight can help our dogs live up to 15 percent longer, many people don’t know that their dogs are overweight. And when their veterinarians recommend weight loss for their beloved canines, they don’t know where to start.
Mill Creek Store Manager Fay Harris knows exactly how that feels. She’s helped her own dog lose a third of his body weight, and now she helps coach dog owners who want to help their own dogs achieve healthy weights. She theorizes that changing your thinking about dog weight loss can also make this journey easier. We talked to her to find out more.
FH: First, I like to talk about the difference between food and love. And how I often find myself substituting food for love with my own dog. We love our dogs so much, and we want to make them happy. But in the end, it can be detrimental to their health if we give them too much food. When we want to show them love, it can be through walks and playtime and not just through food and treats.
And then I like to talk about moist and fresh foods. Any time we can substitute moist and fresh foods for calorie-dense dry kibble it’s going to be easier to have them lose weight. So, we talk about raw food, freeze-dried foods or canned foods. We even talk adding about canned pumpkin to kibble diets.
But we also talk about foods that they already have around the house. If you’re making zucchini for dinner that night, some people love the idea of grating their leftover zucchini and saving it. They combine the zucchini with other grated fruits and vegetables throughout the week. Then, they sprinkle some of the grated fruits and vegetables on their dogs’ meals as a substitute for part of the kibble.
FH: I like to look for food with a lot of moisture. I prioritize this characteristic because water has no calories. Water is also very filling. I think that some dogs aren’t satisfied by their food, so they eat more and beg more. So, having food that contains a lot of moisture adds a lot more bulk to the food. I also think that fresher, non-processed foods are more satisfying and satiating. So, by adding those fresh and moist foods into the diet, your dog will feel more satisfied.
FH: I think lots of people forget to measure food. They just scoop some out and place it in a bowl, so it’s easy to overfeed. It’s important to use an actual measuring cup or a food scale to accurately measure the food at every meal.
Some people might not know that the recommendation on the bags of kibble are very broad guidelines. Many people interpret them as something that needs to be followed exactly. And sometimes people misread the guidelines. Sometimes there’s some verbiage that makes it confusing, and people think that the feeding recommendations are per feeding rather than per day.
Some dog owners forget to count the calories in treats and chews. The treats and chews that our dogs eat all day can add up to a lot of calories. And sometimes a dog might eat food that falls from the table, and those calories also add up to a surprising amount. An easy solution is to adjust the amount that you’re giving your dog at meal times based on the number of treats and chews that he’s eaten that day.
Only 10 percent of your dog’s diet should come from added vegetables, treats and chews. The other part of his diet needs to come from a nutritionally balanced dog food.
You can also make your dog’s life more interesting by making eating more challenging. So that might mean he has a raw meaty bone for dinner one night a week. He might enjoy a puzzle toy or completing tricks before getting his food. The occasional challenge is a great way to add love and stimulation to your dog’s life.
FH: Before I came to work at Mud Bay, my little guy, Rueben, weighed twenty pounds. And I didn’t think he was overweight because I thought his stomach would hang down if he was. But my vet said that he was overweight. I was told that he’ll never be a 13-pound dachshund, but he could potentially be a 16-pound dachshund. So, I started giving him less kibble and did some other things the vet suggested.
And he reached 16 pounds, but his weight plateaued there. When I came to work at Mud Bay, I transitioned him to a raw diet with the highest moisture content I could find. And the weight just melted off him. And he is, in fact, now a 13-pound dachshund!
So, I would suggest that if you’re running into obstacles, you should first check and make sure that your dog isn’t eating food you don’t know about. If someone’s giving him extra snacks or he’s eating a lot of chews, you should adjust the rest of his diet.
Then you need to decide if you’re feeding too much food. If you’re certain that the dog isn’t overeating, it’s worth seeing your vet to rule out health issues. If he checks out fine, we need to find the best ways to reduce calories that will leave your dog feeling the happiest and most satisfied.
And finally, we should consider how to incorporate even more moist and fresh foods into your dog’s daily diet. In my experience, that’s usually a very effective step in promoting dog weight loss.
Mill Creek Store Manager Fay Harris has been a Muddy for nearly 8 years. Come visit her store, and you can talk about other fun ways to add more love into your pet’s life.
Furvor bone broth is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is up to 30 times more concentrated than regular broths. It provides protein, collagen, amino acids, and important nutrients to help your dog’s gut, joints, skin, coat, and overall health.
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The 20 oz bottle provides more than 20 servings, making it an easy way to add beneficial nutrition to your dog’s daily routine at home.
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If you’re out and about, Furvor’s single-serve pouches will help keep your dog hydrated, with a pep in their step wherever you go. They’re great for summer, hikes, walks, or days by the water.
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Just tear open, squeeze, and serve. You can mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or give it on its own. You can buy them one at a time or in a pack of six.
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Shop Furvor Bone Broth in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🐾
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Capstar Oral Flea & Tick Treatment
🐾When fleas show up, it helps to act quickly. Capstar is an easy-to-use oral treatment that starts working in about 30 minutes and can kill most fleas within the first few hours. It’s a simple way to bring fast relief and can be used alongside your dog’s regular flea and tick routine.
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Vetality Flea & Tick Monthly Topical Treatment
🐾 For ongoing protection, Vetality Avantect offers vet-quality coverage at a great value.
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These broad-spectrum topicals kill and repel fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes, while also targeting all stages of the flea life cycle. It also helps repel biting flies and kill lice. Available in four weight ranges and a four-month supply for continued protection.
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🛍️ Shop in-store or online today.
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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.🐈
#mudbay #cats #cattreats #catnip #cattoys
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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Did you know that Mud Bay now has sushi 🍣 for cats?
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Thanks to our friends at Fabcat, your cat can now enjoy a 5-piece sushi combo platter at Mud Bay. Each piece is not only fun to play with, but also filled with North American-grown catnip that will get your cat excited to bite, swat, and zoom around.
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Check out the Fabcat Sushi Combo Platter and treat your cat to something special. Available in-store or online.
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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!
#mudbay #woof #letusknow #healthypets #pupsicle
Nulo Culinary Harvest coming soon at Mud Bay!
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This new option from Nulo is an oven-baked, high-protein dog food basted in bone broth. And because it’s oven-baked, that means it’s cooked at a lower temperature, so your dog can absorb more nutrients and get the most out of each meal. The bone broth also adds extra flavor, perfect for dogs who appreciate something extra at mealtime that also has functional benefits to their overall health.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest for Adult and Small Breed dogs, will soon be available both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
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TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
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TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
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TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
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You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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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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