Spring has just begun, which makes it a great time to start hiking with your dog. Hiking is a favorite pastime for many people in the Pacific Northwest, and for many people, bringing their dog on their favorite hike just adds to the fun. It’s also an easy way to incorporate some extra exercise into your dog’s life.
Shoreline Store Manager Lizzie Humphries is an avid hiker who loves to take her dog, Sodo, hiking, camping and snowshoeing as often as she can. They also ride scooters together, which she admits isn’t much of a workout but is incredibly fun. Sodo is a dachshund, which may not be the first dog you think about when you consider choosing a hiking companion. However, Lizzie, Sodo, and her boyfriend have conquered dozens of trails together, and Lizzie has plenty of hiking tips to share.
LH: Before you start your first hike, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared to face any obstacles or elements you might encounter when you’re hiking. Even if I’m a bit overpacked, I’ve always found that I’m going to be in the best position out in the wilderness when I have everything I might possibly need.
In addition to the equipment you’ll need for hiking, I have a list of equipment I’ll need hiking with Sodo. We always take a portable water bowl, plenty of extra water and treats or a dehydrated raw meal depending on the length of the hike. I also pack a ton of poop bags, a leash, and natural flea and tick repellent.
If we’re hiking in the snow or doing some snowshoeing, I bring a heavy waterproof jacket for Sodo and an extra wool sweater. Because he’s so low to the ground, Sodo gets drenched in the snow. You might not need to pack extra clothes if you have a taller dog with a thick fur coat.
We also bring along Musher’s Secret to make sure his pads are protected from any rough terrain. It also guards against snowballing or ice between his toes.
LH: We use a 6-foot recycled climbing-rope leash when we’re hiking. It’s durable, easy to clean, and it doesn’t retain that outdoorsy hiking smell. I like to use a longer leash to let Sodo explore a little bit. But he’s still on a leash, so I can pull him away if there’s a situation with another dog.
I believe that it’s important to always keep your dog on a leash when hiking. Even if your dog is friendly with other dogs, not all dogs are social. But all dogs deserve to enjoy the outdoors. So, keeping your dog on a leash keeps outdoor spaces safe for all dog personalities. You also never know who or what you’re going to encounter while hiking or camping. And you never know what could trigger your dog to run off the trail.
LH: We use a K9 Sport Sack. It’s also our main backpack for scooter riding. And it can be used for so many different activities. I like it because it’s ventilated, and it’s secure so he can’t hop out. There are two little spots for his paws and part of the bag clips around his neck.
Sodo is a really long boy and being conscious of his back is really important to me. So, it may not work for every dog owner, but I like to tighten the straps of the backpack so he’s curved up over my shoulders and the curve of my back. When I use the backpack, I’m usually leaning forward, so I know that his back is curved along my back.
We just went snowshoeing this past weekend, and even though Sodo’s great in the snow, the trail was really steep. Sodo started walking up the trail, but he made me slip three or four times at the beginning. So, I put him in the backpack, so we could continue the rest the way.
LH: There are so many wonderful, short hikes off Highway 2. They’re great for beginners who really want to get their dogs out on the trail, and who really want to spend some time outdoors. Also, moving slowly is never a problem. Hiking shouldn’t be about speed. It’s all about taking care of yourselves and working step-by-step up that trail.
My store is just outside of Seattle, so I feel like I ought to mention that there’s a lot of really great urban hiking here. We don’t always have time to drive out to the mountains. Greenlake is a perfect starter walk. It’s a three-mile flat walk that goes all around the lake, and we do that all the time if we’re not making our way up to the mountains.
Also, Magnuson Park has some excellent beginner hiking trails. If you live in Seattle, you don’t have to travel too far to get there, and it’s a great introduction to trail hiking in an urban environment.
LH: I do! It’s the Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls trail and it’s off Highway 2. It’s about 7 miles round trip. That was Sodo’s first long hike where he did not have to be picked up at all. And I really like it because it’s a good mix of flat and steep hiking. Plus, getting to Lake Serene is a huge payoff. It’s just gorgeous up there.
Although Sodo was the star of this article, Shoreline Store Manager Lizzie Humphries has two other dogs at home who aren’t fans of hiking. So, whether you have a canine homebody or a fearless adventurer at home, Lizzie is happy to discuss how to incorporate more exercise into your dog’s life.
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
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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
