Body condition scoring should determine whether your dog or cat is at a healthy weight. But once you’ve decided that weight loss is necessary, how do you track your pet’s progress? And how much weight loss is a reasonable goal for your dog or cat?
To find out the answers to these questions, we talked to District Manager Rebecca Zander. Nearly twelve years ago, Becca took a part-time job with Mud Bay while she attended school. Over the course of several years, she worked her way from store staff member to store manager. And when Mud Bay decided to expand to Oregon, Becca became our first Oregon store manager. In addition to her experience at Mud Bay, she’s also coached her cat and dogs towards their own healthy weights.
RZ: It’s important to take your time when helping a dog or cat lose weight. Cats can develop fatty liver disease if they lose weight too quickly, so it’s essential that cats lose weight at only 3 to 4 percent of their total weight per month. Dogs can lose weight a little quicker, but a goal of 4 to 5 percent per month is ideal.
It can be really helpful to do the math, so you know exactly how much your dog or cat should lose. Then, you’ll want to decide how often you want to weigh your animal. I like to weigh once a week. I keep in mind that some weeks there may not be any weight loss, but as long as there’s a 1 percent loss most weeks, I feel that I’m making progress.
But before I set any weight loss goals for a dog or cat, I want to make sure I’m ready to make that commitment to weight loss. I like to gather all the information I have about what my dogs currently eat and how much exercise they get every day. I try to be super objective and look at food packages to gather information.
Then I look at what I can do to aid weight loss. I ask myself: Is there room for improvement in the amount of exercise my dogs get every day? Are they eating too much food? Is the food I’m feeding helping them stay at a healthy weight?
One tool I can use to help me make these decisions is the new feeding calculator at Mud Bay. It asks for all of the information that might affect my pets’ weight. Then I can look at the recommended caloric intake and compare it to how much I actually feed my cat and dogs. I can also update each pet’s weight regularly, and it will automatically calculate the new amount I should feed.
As you approach your goal, you’ll also need to use body condition scoring to reassess your dog or cat’s weight. You can do it yourself—we have body condition scorecards at Mud Bay to help—but sometimes it’s easier to get an objective person to assess it for you. So, anyone at Mud Bay can help you assess the body condition of your pet, or your veterinarian can help.
RZ: While you should use body condition scoring to decide whether or not your pet needs to lose weight, it’s important to use the scale to evaluate your progress. Dogs and cats should lose weight slowly, and it’s impossible to be able to visually assess exactly what a 1 percent weight loss looks like.
So, if you try to help your dog or cat lose weight, you’ll need easy access to a scale. We added scales to all Mud Bays, so you can definitely visit your local store to track the weight of your pet. If you have an accurate bathroom scale at home, it’s easy to weigh most cats and dogs. I like to step on the scale and weigh myself first. Then I hold my cat while stepping on the scale and subtract my weight from the amount. If that isn’t practical, your veterinarian may be able to help.
I like to keep a chart on the fridge, so I’m constantly reminded of when I should weigh everyone. One of our dogs, Blitzen, fluctuates in weight very quickly. She’s high energy, and it’s easy for her to lose weight quickly. But she loves to eat, so she’ll also gain weight quickly. Even when we’re not working towards weight loss, it makes sense to weigh all our pets regularly. When Blitzen maintains her weight for a few months, we think “we’re doing something right!”
RZ: During a weight loss journey, I think it’s a good idea to be open to experimentation. You might have to try a few different things to get the results you want.
If you’ve already cut calories for your dog or cat, but they’re not losing weight, you might want to consider the type of food you’re feeding. You might want to try replacing some kibble with a wet or raw food. You could also try completely transitioning to a raw or wet food if that makes sense for your household.
Our cat, Benji, went on a weight loss plan to help him shrink from around 30 pounds to 18 pounds. And my husband and I started with feeding him different types of kibble. Then, over time, we switched to canned food, and eventually, he transitioned to raw food to lose all the weight. So, changing foods can definitely help weight loss.
If you haven’t already added more exercise to your routine, you can also help your dog or cat burn more calories through exercise. It’s important to remember every little bit helps. You can try more active, interactive play with your cat on weekends. Or you can get your dog out of the house for long walks or a visit to the dog park during good weather.
Any type of weight loss really requires dedication. To help our dogs and cat lose weight, my husband and I had to train ourselves. We had to check in with each other to find out how many treats everyone got each day. My husband works from home, and it became a habit to give the dogs chews to keep them occupied. Now we try to limit treats and chews to less than 10 percent of their daily calories.
I also recommend checking in with people who have experience with helping dogs or cats lose weight. Your veterinarian is always a good choice, but people at Mud Bay can also help you figure out how to create a custom weight loss plan. You can ask for weight loss tips and tricks from other pet owners or Muddies. Lots of Muddies have experience helping dogs and cats lose weight, and they can be a source of tips that will help keep your pet’s weight loss on track.
Rebecca Zander is one of Mud Bay’s district managers. When she’s not visiting Oregon Mud Bays or the Olympia Home Office, she’s at home with her husband, Griffin, and their two dogs and cat.
🐝 🌷 🌈 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.
#mudbay #fleaprotection #tropiclean #tropicalclean #healthypets
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!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
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
🤝 Follow us
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
