Mud Bay recommends a raw diet for dogs because it offers a wide variety of benefits to them. One of the biggest benefits is the amount of moisture that raw food can add to your dog’s diet. A frozen raw diet contains intercellular moisture locked into every bite, while freeze-dried and air-dried foods can easily be rehydrated on an as-needed basis.
To find out more about raw diets and transitioning to raw foods, we talked to Allison Strange. Allison is currently one of our community outreach coordinators, but before that, she worked at the Seattle Humane Mudlet helping owners learn about the nutritional needs of their new animals. She’s also the proud owner of Sadie Starship, a six-year-old Goldendoodle who eats raw food.
AS: Any amount of raw food is going to be beneficial, but Mud Bay recommends 25 percent raw food combined with 75 percent of kibble as a good starting point. Even at that amount, you can see a difference in your dog’s coat and energy level. Plus, their poops are smaller and less stinky.
AS: I find that most people prefer to use air-dried or freeze-dried raw food because of the convenience. With these types of foods, there’s very little prep involved. You just mix the appropriate amount of raw food into your dog’s other food, and then add your preferred liquid to the dish. Wait fifteen minutes, and then you can serve it.
This type of raw food is also really similar in appearance to kibble, so it can be an easier transition for you. And once you hydrate the air-dried or freeze-dried raw food, it has a similar texture and appearance to canned food, which many dogs love. Just make sure that if you’re using a raw food that isn’t raw frozen, you’re also adding that moisture back into the food.
AS: I usually rehydrate with water to keep things simple. However, if my dog is super lucky, I’ll also use bone broth or goat’s milk. Actually, my dog’s absolute favorite things are goat’s milk or goat’s kefir, which can rehydrate raw food.
AS: First, just try to add 25 percent raw food to your dog’s meal and supplement with 75 percent kibble. The increase in price will be minimal, but there are significant health benefits.
But if you want a cheaper option, Sojos makes a really good air-dried food that is fairly economical but still really easy to feed your dog.
If price is your primary concern, Northwest Naturals makes frozen raw food in chubs and bar format. There’s a little more prep work involved, but you can buy the food in bulk and it lowers the overall price.
AS: A frozen raw diet for dogs is a little different because you’re handling raw meat, so it can be intimidating for some dog owners. It’s important to follow safe food handling practices for all raw food.
But to make it easy to feed frozen raw food, I like to pre-portion the food and put it into a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel container in the freezer. Then I keep a few of the measured portions in my fridge to thaw until I’m ready to feed her. The raw food should thaw overnight in the fridge and be ready to eat the next morning.
AS: Dogs that are kibble-fed benefit from a slower transition period. You want to take at least two weeks to make the transition.
I start with about 10 percent air-dried or freeze-dried food and mix it into the kibble. Then, when you’ve added the amount of raw food you’d like to feed your dog, add a liquid to hydrate the food. The entire process should take at least 14 days.
If you want to feed your dog frozen raw, it might be easier to start with the raw food as a topper on your dog’s existing kibble. Just remember to keep the total calories per meal the same—you don’t want to accidentally overfeed your dog. If you want to feed your dog 100 percent frozen raw, it should take you at least 14 days to reach that goal.
However, if your dog is known to have a sensitive stomach, I recommend adding Optagest or another digestive enzyme to your dog’s meal. You can also double the transition period to 28 days.
Keep in mind that you should watch for loose stool, excess gas, vomiting or diarrhea. If you see any of those symptoms, stop feeding raw and give your dog’s system a chance to recover. You may want to fast them for 24 hours, and then reintroduce food in the form of a bland diet. Then, start the transition from where you stopped and try again.
AS: My biggest tip is to make it easy for everyone involved. There are a lot of great raw products that you can mix directly into your dog’s kibble, and then add additional liquid if necessary. I’ve also noticed that some people prefer to feed their dog kibble in the morning and raw food at night.
I feel whatever works for you will work for your dog if you give your pet enough time to adjust. And adding bone broth, raw food, goat’s milk, kefir or another moisture-rich food to your dog’s meal is a great boost to your dog’s health.
Allison Strange has worked at Mud Bay for nearly four years. You might recognize her from the Mercer Island Mud Bay or Seattle Humane’s Mudlet. Now she’s a community outreach coordinator who you’ll see at numerous events throughout Puget Sound. When she’s not at a Mud Bay, you might spot her hiking with her pink-haired Goldendoodle, Sadie Starship.
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.
🐕
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.
🐕
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.
🐕
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.
🐕
Shop Furvor Bone Broth in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🐾
#mudbay #furvor #healthypets #pnwpets #bonebroth
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.
🐕
Vetality Flea & Tick Monthly Topical Treatment
🐾 For ongoing protection, Vetality Avantect offers vet-quality coverage at a great value.
🐾
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.
🐕
🛍️ 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.
🐈
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.
🐾
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.
🐾
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.
🐕
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?
😻
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.
🍣
Check out the Fabcat Sushi Combo Platter and treat your cat to something special. Available in-store or online.
#mudbay #sushitime #orderup #cats #catnip
Looking for a simple way to slow things down at mealtime or keep your dog busy?🤔
🐕
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.
🐕
It’s designed for quieter play, gentle on teeth, and safe for your floors—no marks, no noise, just steady engagement.
🐶
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.
#mudbay #puzzletoy #woof #dogs #healthypets
You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂
🐾
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.
🐕
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.
🐾
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!
🐕
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.
🐕
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.
🐈
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!
🐈
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.
🐈
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.
🐈
You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fleaprotection #tropiclean #tropicalclean #healthypets
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.
🐾
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.
🐶
Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
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.
🐈
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.
🐈
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.
🐈
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.
⚽ 🐕
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.
⚽ 🐕
Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
