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.
Mud Bay Delivery offers free same-day delivery 🚚 when you order before 2 pm. From food and supplements to toys, treats, and even frozen items, we’ll bring it all right to your door. It’s available seven days a week, with free delivery on orders over $30.
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Shop anytime at MudBay.com and let Mud Bay Delivery bring your pet’s go-to items straight to you. Click the link in our bio to place your order today.
#mudbay #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pnw #pets
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.
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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
