While many cats love catnip, one out of three felines doesn’t respond to this common herb. For cats without the catnip gene, there are other herbs that may enrich their environment and give them something fun to sniff. One of these herbs is valerian. While valerian has sweet-smelling flowers that were used to make perfume in the 16th century, valerian root has an entirely different, extremely pungent smell. And it’s the root—especially when it’s made into valerian cat toys or treats—that’s highly attractive to some cats.
To understand why people buy valerian toys, and why you might want to consider purchasing some for your cat, we turned to Belltown Store Manager Mike Eppley. Mike has spent nearly 10 years working at Mud Bay, and he’s well known as a cat enthusiast who likes to study cat behavior.
ME: Valerian is a large plant with small pink or white flowers, but when we talk about valerian cat toys, we’re talking about valerian root. Cats like to smell valerian root because it can make them feel euphoric. Some cats don’t have the gene that makes catnip appealing to them. For cats who don’t like catnip, valerian can be a good alternative.
ME: I’ve actually seen a few different reactions. A lot of the time, cats will rub themselves on a valerian toy. That’s one great way to know that your specific cat likes valerian root.
Other cats seem to get some type of energy from the smell. They’ll run around the room and just be super energetic.
I’ve also seen cats that love valerian who are very calm when presented with a valerian toy. They just drool while holding the toy and may look like they’re completely blissed out. It’s actually similar to the response cats have when eating valerian root treats; the treats help them feel calmer.
ME: I’ve heard a lot of people describe valerian root as smelling like body odor. It’s a very strong odor, and most people find the smell unpleasant, unfortunately. But most cats absolutely love it. So, if you can work past the smell, I think it could make your cats really happy.
ME: A lot of Mud Bays have sample packets of the Happy Traveler treats which contain valerian root. If anyone is curious about the valerian smell, we can give them a sample of the treats, which definitely smell like valerian, to try.
I also try to work with my staff at the Belltown store to make sure that they’re checking in with people who buy valerian cat toys. Valerian is fairly pungent, and we want people to be aware of what they’re buying before they get it home. If someone wants to open the toy package before they buy it, we’re more than happy to open it for them. We can also give it a quick sniff and verify that the toy smells right before someone brings it home.
There have been some customers who return valerian toys because they’re sure that they smell wrong, but the toys actually just smell like valerian. But if you ever have any questions about a Mud Bay product, you should definitely bring it back to the store! Please come back so we can see the product. That way, we’ll be able to check and see if it looks and smells right, or if there’s something that needs further investigation. And of course, if you find that something doesn’t work for your household, we’re happy to buy it back from you.
ME: Absolutely. The most well-known herb for cats is catnip. Many cats are really happy with catnip, and that’s all that they need. Silver vine is another herb that cats love. We currently carry a blend of catnip and silver vine. Many cats react the same way to silver vine as they do to catnip, but it has a different smell and adds variety to your cat’s life. The final common alternative is honeysuckle. Many cats love honeysuckle, and we have a honeysuckle spray for those cats. We have some honeysuckle-stuffed toys, too. Between these four options, we can normally find something that each individual cat will enjoy.
Mike Eppley—known among Muddies as Cat Man—is the Belltown store manager. Drop by to see him and discuss anything you’d like to know about cats, their preferences and their sometimes mysterious behaviors.
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.
#mudbay #fleaandtickseason #healthypets #dogs #fleafree
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.🐈
#mudbay #cats #cattreats #catnip #cattoys
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!
#mudbay #nulo #healthypets #ovenbaked #dogfood
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!
#mudbay #woof #letusknow #healthypets #pupsicle
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.
#mudbay #healthypets #nulo #dogfood
🐝 🌷 🌈 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.
#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.
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