Have you ever wondered why some cats will snub a new toy and then enthusiastically play with string? Mud Bay’s cat toy category team theorized that felines prefer toys that mimic the types of prey they’d like to hunt. To help decode the charming and mysterious preferences of cats, we divided all our toys into five types of prey: birds, bugs, mice, snakes and squirrels.
To determine your own cat’s prey preference, watch them carefully. By noticing which toys intrigue, you’ll be able to glean valuable insights into what might delight your cat. Feathered toys may tempt cats interested in birds, but cats who want to hunt squirrels may ignore them. A love of buttons may suggest a love of bug-like toys. And if your cat likes to hoard yarn, wand toys that mimic snakes may spark their interest.
With many toys in each prey category, you may want to consider other factors when shopping for a beloved feline. First, size is important. Choose a toy larger than a ping-pong ball, to reduce the chance your cat might swallow it. Meanwhile, large toys might discourage mousers, who like to carry toys in their mouths, but entice squirrel hunters. Second, materials matter to cats. Preferences for fabrics and scents can vary between them. Not every cat loves catnip, but those cats who ignore it may prize honeysuckle, valerian or silvervine toys. Other cats adore wool toys, while some felines will only play with real fur or leather.
Some owners believe their cats aren’t interested in playing. We’ve found that with the right toys and timing, nearly all cats will play. Playing—or hunting in cat parlance—is an essential part of being a cat. Cats instinctively want to hunt before meals, so a few minutes of interactive play before eating appeals to many felines. Having regular playtime is also a great way to promote feline-human bonding while encouraging exercise.
With so many variables to consider, it may take some time to decode your cat’s specific preferences with one-hundred-percent accuracy. But once you can identify which characteristics your cat prioritizes, you’ll be able to regularly pick toys that attract your cat.
With hundreds of different cat toys made each year, choosing a diverse selection can be a long process. We start by looking for innovative toys with unique materials and shapes. The toys Mud Bay sells must be completely nontoxic, and if any real fur is used, it’s sourced from the food supply. Our category manager also looks for toys with different herbs and sounds to fascinate all sorts of individual cats.
Muddies and their felines also test most toys. It’s during this process that we get valuable feedback about an item’s true durability and allure. Four-pawed testers let us know if a toy is too heavy, loud or boring. We also listen to staff feedback and customer requests to learn which toys felines love.
Holiday travel plans with your pets?
🛫 🐈
A little preparation can go a long way toward making the trip more enjoyable for everyone, especially pets who may find changes in routine or unfamiliar places stressful.
🚗 🐕
From keeping your pet comfortable on the road to making sure they have everything they need, we’re here to help you prepare for your next trip together.
🚂 🐾
Visit us in-store or online to shop travel essentials for your cat or dog today! 🚚 🛍️ 🐈 🐕
#mudbay #holidaytravel #pets
What would the holidays be without a Fluff & Tuff toy for your dog under the 🎄tree?
🛷 🐕
Fluff & Tuff’s holiday toys are here! Find a new playtime favorite with Franklin Raccoon, Bonnie the Bunny, or the festive Peppermint Bone.
☃️ 🐾
Looking for a gift that gives back? This year’s Charity Toy, Santa Sprite, does just that: Fluff & Tuff donates 100% of its profits from this toy to help dogs waiting for their forever homes.
🛍️ 🚚
Shop Fluff & Tuff this holiday season in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #holidays
Keeping your cat active and mentally stimulated is important. That’s where the PAW PAW PAW POW 💥 Cat Enrichment Toy comes in! Featuring two bases with wand attachments, this toy lets two cats play at once, if they’re willing to share. 😉
It also includes three interchangeable toy attachments and catnip spray to encourage play and keep the fun going. Perfect for indoor enrichment during colder days or whenever your cat is ready to play.
😻 🐈⬛
Find the PAW PAW PAW POW Cat Enrichment Toy in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #cats #play
Pumpkin Spice for your Pup!
🐕 🍂
Lord Jameson Pumpkin Spice Organic Dog treats are soft, chewy, and made with quintessentially fall flavors: organic pumpkin, cinnamon, and ginger, plus organic oats and dates, all rolled in organic coconut for a treat your dog will love.
🐕 🍂
Shop Lord Jameson in-store or online this fall 🍂 at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #pumpkinspice #dogs #fall #healthypets
The holidays are almost here, and we’re getting ready! 🛷 ❄️
😻
Our Distribution Center is abuzz with holiday preparations as Muddies get this season’s new arrivals and returning holiday favorites ready to ship to our stores starting this week. 🚚 🎄
🐶
We can’t wait to welcome you and your pets into our stores and kick off the holiday season at Mud Bay! ⛄ 🎁
#mudbay #holidayseason #pets
🎉 FREE HALLOWEEN COOKIES FOR YOUR DOG! 🎃 👻 🐕
🪦
That’s right! Starting this Friday, October 30th, your dog can enjoy a free Bosco & Roxy’s Halloween cookie with any in-store purchase of a dog product at Mud Bay! Choose from three fun cookies: Creepin’ It Real 🕷️ Witchful Thinking🧙or Bat to the Bone 🦇Pick your favorite and bring home a little Halloween treat!
🧛♀️
Available in-store only through November 8th, or while supplies last. Limit one free cookie per visit. No minimum purchase amount required!
#mudbay #trickortreat #BoscoAndRoxy #Halloween
Holiday Pet Advent Calendars are now available in-store at Mud Bay! Now is the perfect time to grab one for your cat or dog, or as a gift.
🎁 🎄🐕 🐈
We have fun options from Bosco & Roxy’s, Lazy Kitty, and Spunky Pup that will bring festive excitement throughout the Holiday season.
#mudbay #holidayfunforpets
Give your cat a taste of Halloween 🎃 with Shameless Pets Catnip Is My Boo! These crunchy, star-shaped treats combine chicken and catnip for a tasty seasonal treat.
🐈⬛
Made in the USA and free of corn, wheat, and soy, they’re also baked using renewable solar energy, and the bag is made with 88% post-consumer materials.
👻
Shop Shameless Pets Catnip is My Boo at Mud Bay in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🚚
#mudbay #cattreats #halloween
The Mud Bay Halloween Giveaway has now concluded!
🎃
Thanks to everyone who entered to win.
🎃
Winners have all been selected at this time. Have a Happy Halloween!🐕😻
🍂 Fall is here, and that means shorter days, but you can still keep your pup active and engaged at mealtime and light up those darker evening walks. Plus, there’s always room for a little fishy 🎣 treat to chew on before you snuggle up this cozy season.
🐾
Join Milo as he shows you part of his daily routine. Shop some of Milo’s favorites seen here in-store and online at Mud Bay. And if you can’t make it in-store, we can deliver everything right to your door with Mud Bay Same-Day Delivery. 🛍️ 🚚 🐕
#mudbay #fall #healthypets
Join Archie on a spooky 👻 🛍️ shopping adventure as he finds some festive favorites just in time for Halloween.
🎃
You can shop like Archie for your pup at Mud Bay, and if you can’t make it in-store, we will deliver all the Halloween fun right to your door with Mud Bay Same Day Delivery. 🚚 🐕
#mudbay #halloween
Wet Noses Soft Baked Pumpkin 🎃 Dog Treats are made with human-grade ingredients and produced in Monroe, Washington, right here in the PNW. Made with only 9 simple ingredients, including pumpkin, flaxseed, and peanuts, you can break them up for training as a tasty reward or use them daily just to show your pup some love.
🐕 🍂
They are easy to digest and make a perfect fall treat to add to your pet pantry. 🛍️ 🚚 You can shop Wet Noses Soft Baked Dog Treats in-store or online today!
#mudbay #wetnoses #pnw #falldogtreats #healthypets
