Presents for your pets

Published 10:15 am Wednesday, December 19, 2007

If there’s a dog or cat on your holiday gift list, a new store on the Mukilteo Speedway is a great place to shop. Muddy Paws Pet Supply has been open just a year, but has already endeared itself to local pet lovers by carrying high-quality and hard-to-find pet foods and toys. There are plenty of people gifts too.

“We’re oriented toward healthy foods and treats,” owner Wendy Boyd said. “We try to get a lot of locally made things.”

Extremely popular at Muddy Paws are dog treats from Paws Gourmet of Marysville. When Boyd opens the display case containing these cookies, cannolis and doggie doughnuts, a delicious bakery smell fills the air. The treats look and smell just like the human versions, but these are formulated for dogs only.

Gift items for pet lovers include calendars, figurines, picture frames and more. A popular gift for dogs this holiday season has been the doggie advent calendar. For each day leading up to Christmas, a window opens revealing two small dog treats. Boyd also has a good selection of Christmas themed toys, stockings and pet apparel.

The toys at Muddy Paws include items suitable for cats or small dogs up to huge yard-long rawhide chews and big durable toys made for larger dogs.

“Planet Dog is one of my favorite toy lines,” Boyd said. “They make really good tough toys.”

Known for their philanthropy and the catch phrase “Think Globally, Act Doggedly,” Planet Dog produces the Orbee-Tuff ball that rated as pet product of the year with several pet magazines. Planet Dog’s products also feature a Chew-O-Meter scale to let consumers know the type of wear they can reasonably expect from these tough toys.

Other toys at Muddy Paws include Wubba toys in all sizes. Cats enjoy the Natural Instincts toys, Catnip Rattlers and organic catnip. There are soft toys for pets to cuddle and edible toys for them to chew.

At this time of year, you might want to consider getting your dog some rain gear or booties. Boyd has a great selection of dog wear, from raincoats and sweaters for winter to T-shirts and sunglasses for the summer.

The store also carries accessories such as backpacks so dogs can carry their own water and toys on hikes. Collars, leashes and harnesses come in several styles and colors. There are dog lifejackets as well.

Dog booties come in a range of sizes and durability. Disposable booties are suitable for wet or muddy conditions. Durable all-terrain Grip Trex boots are the best choice for rocky trails or snow. These doggie hiking boots feature breathable mesh uppers and an expansion gusset for easy on-and-off.

If your pet’s paws are dry and cracked from rough walking surfaces, Boyd also carries a line of spa products that include cracked-paw creams. Cain and Able shampoos and conditioners are all-natural and extremely mild. Conditioners assist with grooming and help to make long-hair coats more manageable.

But the products that Muddy Paws is most known for are the wide range of natural and healthy pet foods. Brands include Timberwolf Organics, Orijen, Canidae, Felidae, Innova, Merrick, Wellness and many others. There are also raw and frozen diets.

The Muddy Paws Web site features tips and tricks, not only for picking out a good pet food but also for switching over your pet to a healthy diet while avoiding tummy upsets. Store specials and coupons are also posted on the Web site. Boyd is a supporter of Purrfect Pals shelter and has cats available for adoption at the store.