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.
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:
👍 Like this post
😃 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
