Many potential feline health problems can be avoided with proper nutrition. Raw food, especially raw frozen food, fits the profile of what a cat evolved to eat in the wild, which is a moisture-rich high-quality protein diet. By giving your own carnivore the meat their ancestors ate, their digestive system and other organs work at peak efficiency. This type of eating can also help stave off the risk of urinary tract disease and chronic kidney disease; two common problems for many felines.
One interesting thing about most raw foods is the low carbohydrate count. Why are fewer carbohydrates beneficial for cats? The fact is cats don’t necessarily digest carbs because they are obligate carnivores. That term is exactly what it sounds like – their bodies are obligated to eat meat to maintain optimal health. Cats aren’t omnivores like humans (or dogs).
Cats were animals that evolved in the desert, so they relied on prey to get all their nutritional requirements. They don’t get many benefits from most carbohydrates because their digestive system doesn’t produce the necessary enzymes to digest them.
So, knowing that, what are some of the benefits of adding raw food, and therefore more moisture and high-quality protein, to a cat’s diet? When you add raw food to your cat’s diet, you’ll spot changes in their skin and coat in a few weeks. You’ll also notice smaller stools, and some people report that their cats’ breath smells better, too.
Raw food, unlike other cat food options, also contains natural enzymes that make it easier for cats to digest. Those enzymes, combined with the moisture in the meat, make it easier for their digestive system to use.
Furthermore, kidney disease is a prevalent problem in older cats. Most cats live in a state of constant mild dehydration. They’re evolved to get moisture from meat, so they don’t naturally drink enough water to stay hydrated. And being dehydrated is hard on the kidneys.
Thus, one of the reasons it’s good to feed your cat a high moisture diet—like one found in many raw foods—is to help the kidneys work more efficiently. If your cat is well-hydrated, their kidneys can work better to filter out the toxins in your cat’s system.
The same concept works for preventing urinary tract infections. If your cat is well-hydrated, it helps keep the urinary system healthy and prevents bad bacteria from thriving.
There are a couple of different ways to get moisture into your cat’s diet, depending on your cat’s flavor preferences. If your cat doesn’t like frozen raw food, you can feed freeze-dried raw and add warm water to the food to increase the moisture. You can also add bone broth or goat’s milk as a way to rehydrate it and make it a little tastier.
Using warm liquid is best because it emulates the heat of a fresh kill. It’s also more appealing to the cat because warm food has more smell, and cats rely on smell over taste to choose foods. If your cat prefers wet food, which is already moisture-rich, you can boost the moisture content even further by adding some warm liquid to that.
For cats who are presently on a diet of pure kibble, or if your cat isn’t inclined to eat canned food, you can start by trying small amounts of warm liquid in their kibble. Once you start adding liquid to any type of food, it’s important that you clean the bowl after every meal and don’t let it sit out. Don’t just add more kibble and liquid, because your cat’s bowl could become a breeding ground for bacteria.
When adding different foods to your cat’s diet, it’s important to be patient. Think about placing a very small amount of new food in a separate dish near your cat’s old food. That helps your cat learn that the new item that they’re seeing is actually food. There’s plenty of other food transition tips you can try if your cat is resistant to eating kibble.
Ultimately, having an easily digestible food with plenty of protein and packed with moisture benefits the health of many different cats. But wet food or gently cooked foods offer many of the same benefits to cats.
Of course, there are other things you can do if raw food doesn’t make sense for your household or your cat’s specific needs. If you want to add more moisture, you can provide multiple sources of water throughout the house. Using a cat water fountain is also great for some cats because many cats prefer to drink moving water.
There are also a lot of water-rich treats available, made with various proteins such as chicken, fish, liver, and egg. As well, toppers can provide additional moisture to a diet and also enhance overall digestive health.
So, no matter how you decide to offer it to your cat, it is important to make sure enough moisture is available. Between various diet types—such as raw, wet, or gently cooked—along with moisture-rich treats and toppers, and abundant amounts of available water, you should be able to formulate a plan to help your feline friend stay healthy and hydrated. And remember, you can always ask a Muddy—either in-store or online—for solutions-based tips and advice.
When the bone broth becomes the treat.
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Turn Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth into easy, homemade frozen treats with the Messy Mutts Silicone Treat Mold this summer. Made from flexible BPA- and PVC-free, food-grade silicone, the molds feature convenient fill lines for portioning and a notched center that makes it easy to break larger treats into smaller pieces.
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Pour in the collagen-rich bone broth, freeze, and serve. Made from humanely raised turkey bones and slow-simmered with pumpkin, carrot, and turmeric, it adds flavor, hydration, and enrichment to your dog’s day.
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Minimal prep. Maximum tail wags. Shop Open Farm Homestead Turkey Bone Broth and the Messy Mutts Bake and Freeze Dog treat maker in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #openfarm #messymutts #summer #staycool
Reduce. Reuse. Go for a walk.
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The Eco Collar and Leash Collection from RC Pets is made with REPREVE® webbing, created from 100% recycled plastic bottles. 🇨🇦 Proudly made in Vancouver, Canada, these collars and leashes are designed to be durable, comfortable, and ready for everyday adventures.
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And now you can shop RC Pets Eco Collar and Leashes for your dog in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #dogwalk #dogs #rcpets #recycled
Starting today our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn’t be easier to participate!
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Here’s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo or a video of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
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Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs.
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Want to participate, but need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Maybe a soccer ⚽️ ball for your pup with a certain soccer tournament kicking off this week? We’ve got you covered!
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Stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
It’s never a bad time to chill. 🧘♀️ 🐾
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Swell`s My Chill Time Premium Dog Gelato is made with functional ingredients like chamomile and passion flower tea, which help your pup stay cool, calm, and collected when summer activities makes thier day-to-day a little more stressful. Plus, it includes blackberries, 🥥 coconut milk, ginger, beets, and 🍯 🐝 honey, which are great for digestion and antioxidant support.
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Swell Premium Dog Gelato is not only a tasty treat on a hot summer day, but it also helps keep your pup living their best life and staying CHILL. Shop My Chill Time from Swell in-store or online at Mud Bay this summer. 🌞
#mudbay #swelldoggelato #swell #dogs #chill
Adventure-ready and made for the water, the Ruffwear Float Coat helps keep your dog comfortable during every swim.
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The Float Coat offers a secure, telescoping neck closure that adjusts to fit a variety of dog sizes, while the lightweight foam panels support natural movement and buoyancy in the water, keeping them comfortable and safe.
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Plus, it offers a super handy, low-profile handle that makes it easy to lift your pup out of the water, and reflective accents that add extra visibility for long days at the lake, beach, or river.
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Bring your pup in-store or shop with us online for the Ruffwear Float coat today!
#mudbay #summer #adventures #ruffwear #doglife
🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
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Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
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We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
#mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming
Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
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Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
🐾
And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
🐾
Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
Canagan canned cat food is grain-free and made with your cat in mind, using high-quality protein from chicken, salmon, tuna, and more.
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It’s inspired by what cats are naturally built to eat, with a focus on animal protein and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
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It’s also an easy way to add moisture to your cat’s routine—something many cats don’t get enough of—which can help support your feline friend with kidney and urinary-tract health.
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🛍️ Shop Canagan Complete Cat Food in-store or online at Mud Bay.
Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
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Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming
Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
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Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
#mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets
🐾🌷The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection
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Meet Harley, out in the tulip fields and ready for her next outing in the Front Range Flex Harness, Collar, and Leash.
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Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or your next PNW adventure, this collection is designed for everyday use and changing conditions:
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Lightweight and built to handle wet conditions
Easy to clean, just hand-wash and air-dry
Made with durable materials for every outing
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Harley picked her look… now it’s your turn.
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The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection is now available at Mud Bay. Shop in-store or online today!
#mudbay #ruffwear #adventure #dogwalk #pnwdogs
This cheese-flavored 🧀 💊 pill wrap helps make giving medicine easier for both dogs and cats. 🐕 🐈 Simply tear, wrap, and serve. It’s quick and mess-free.
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The soft texture can be torn to fit any pill, and the cheese flavor makes each dose easier to give. Now with pumpkin, and always free from grain, gluten, and soy.
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Stashio’s is a woman-owned company from Minnesota that creates simple solutions for daily pet care.
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You can find Stashio’s wrap-ups at Mud Bay, both in-store and online.
#mudbay #stashios #wrapup #healthypets #pnwpets
