What’s Safe and What to Avoid This Holiday Season
Healthy Dogs | November 2, 2022
A well-made food and plenty of variety are all your dog or cat needs to be happy this holiday season. However, many pet owners want to share the season’s bounty with their pets by giving them a taste of people food over the holidays. Done right, this tradition can be a fun way to make the holidays special. But the wrong foods or the wrong amount of food can cause gastric upset or even a trip to the vet. So, if you want to offer some people food to your pet, keep a mental list of safe foods to share.
If your cat or dog has a sensitive stomach, you might want to consider planning a holiday meal just for them. From gently cooked to wet food, plenty of our partners manufacture high-quality holiday-themed foods that are balanced with the right amount of seasoning, fat and protein to appeal to your pet.
But if you’d still like to give your pet a few bites of holiday food from your own festivities, consider using a digestive supplement. These supplements can reduce the chance that a change in diet (even an unintentional one from counter surfing) will cause an upset stomach. Some digestive supplements can be added to food to reduce the risk of an upset stomach later, while others can help diminish the symptoms of digestive upset if they occur. Pets with sensitive stomachs or who might eat a lot of special foods over the holidays can benefit from daily supplementation during the holiday season.
Here are a few digestive supplements we like:
Add OptaGest to food before offering it to your pet. This supplement makes food easier to digest while feeding the healthy bacteria in your dog or cat’s gut. Many pet owners add this supplement to all foods as an overall health aid.
This supplement can soothe an upset stomach after eating. With regular use, it may help your dog or cat’s sensitivity to diet changes. Also try: The Honest Kitchen Perfect Form Herbal Digestive Dog or Cat Supplement.
Organic pumpkin is a good source of fiber to keep bowel movements regular. It can also be a great holiday treat for pets who love it. Other fiber supplements to try: Nummy Tum-Tum Pure Organic Sweet Potato Canned Dog or Cat Food Supplement or Herbsmith Scooter’s Butt Bars or Diggin’ Your Dog Firm Up! Pumpkin Super Dog or Cat Supplement.
We like this supplement because it includes prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes and soothing herbs. Plan on using this supplement the entire holiday season for best results. Other probiotic supplements to try: Animal Essentials Plant Enzyme and Probiotics Dog and Cat Supplement and Ark Naturals Gentle Digest Dog Cat Soft Chews.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the foods you can share with your pet (or those you should avoid!), here are some options to consider. Whatever you share, please make sure it’s 10 percent or less of your dog or cat’s total meal and you reduce their regular food accordingly. That way, your dog or cat can enjoy the holidays without the risk of an overfull stomach.
Turkey, chicken, fish and other cooked lean, unseasoned and bone-free meats are a good choice for dogs or cats. Remove visible fat and skin before you offer a taste to your pet, and skip any fatty meats or bone-in cuts.
Share: Raw VegetablesRaw baby carrots, green beans, and other vegetables can be a fun, healthy treat for your pet. While cats tend to avoid eating raw vegetables, we know tons of dogs who love them. Cooked vegetables are fine, too, as long as they’re not seasoned with oil, butter, salts or other dried seasonings.
Cooked eggs that use a small amount of fat (or none at all) are a great food for dogs or cats. Your dog or cat can also safely eat raw eggs if they are otherwise healthy.
Large uncooked beef bones or uncooked turkey necks, shared in limited amounts, can be a satisfying treat for your dog or cat. Cooked bones, smoked bones, pork bones or other types of raw bones you purchase at your local grocery store should never be fed to your dog or cat because they represent a significant health hazard. If you’re unclear about what bones are safe to eat, look at the selection at a trusted pet store to ensure you’re choosing something safe.
Low sodium or unsalted broth, especially the homemade kind that’s made without garlic or onions, can be a healthy treat that adds additional moisture to your dog or cat’s meal. You can even safely freeze leftovers in ice cube trays to be defrosted for later. Be sure to skip the gravy and pan drippings, which can be too fatty and rich for your dog or cat’s digestive system.
Share: Blueberries, Strawberries, Apple, Pineapple, Banana and BlackberriesSweet treats may be the cornerstone of many holiday gatherings, but to treat your dog or cat, stick with naturally sweet fruit. The six suggested fruits are only a few that your pet might enjoy, but be sure to avoid grapes, cherries, and apple seeds (which are toxic) and fruit with pits that may create a choking hazard. Check online to verify that the fruit you’d like to offer your dog or cat is safe.
If you’re unsure if a food is safe for your dog or cat, look on a trusted website to verify before you share a portion of that food. Keep in mind that fatty meats, pan drippings and other rich, salty, or highly seasoned foods can trigger significant gastric upset or even pancreatitis in your dog or cat, even though they’re carnivores. Cooked bones and small bones can splinter and become a choking hazard or perforate your dog or cat’s digestive system. And plenty of sweets, especially low sugar desserts, can contain ingredients safe for humans, but toxic to pets. So play it safe by doing your research, and you can ensure a happy holiday for all the members of your household.
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.🐈
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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!
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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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