If you’re looking for a product to entertain, soothe, and enrich your furry friend, look no further! Dog lick mats have taken the world by storm, giving canine companions a fun, relaxing experience. By giving your pup a lick mat, you are providing daily mental stimulation. After all, an enriched dog is a happy dog! Follow along to learn about lick mats and the positive impacts they have on your furry friend.
Understanding What a Lick Mat Is
Similar to a slow feeder, a lick mat is a flat mat with textured ridges and grooves designed to provide mental stimulation to dogs. Pet parents can spread softer foods on the mat, encouraging their pup to take their time licking. Licking is calming for dogs and can keep them occupied for quite a bit. There are a variety of designs and sizes for lick mats, so you can choose the lick mat that best fits your furry friend’s needs.
The Benefits of a Lick Mat
There are a multitude of benefits to lick mats. These include, but are not limited to:
- Soothing anxiety: Repeated licking by dogs increases their endorphin count, calming their body and mind. Lick mats are an excellent tool for calming your furry friend’s anxiety, as they promote relaxation.
- Mental stimulation: All pups need regular enrichment activities to remain happy and healthy. A dog lick mat can be the perfect daily activity for your furry friend.
- Encouraging slower eating habits: If your four-legged friend is a fast eater, a lick mat may be the best solution. Fast eating habits can be detrimental, as they can easily result in choking. Since a lick mat requires your pooch to lick slowly to get the food, it effectively slows eating.
- Effective training: Similar to treats, a dog lick mat can create positive associations with a given environment or action. For example, if you are training your canine companion to lie down calmly in public settings, a lick mat can help keep them preoccupied and associate their good behavior with a reward.
What to Put on a Lick Mat
To use the lick mat as intended, spreadable foods work best, such as:
- Canned dog foods
- Nut butters
- Mashed bananas
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Yogurt
On top of it all, you can mix and match foods on the mat for a bit of fun. Another option is to pour chicken broth onto the mat and freeze it, making it a hydrating treat for a hot day! Ensure that any foods you give your dog, on the lick mat or otherwise, have no artificial flavorings. These are toxic to our furry friends.
Tips for Prepping a Lick Mat
- Check the product for “food-safe” labeling: Unfortunately, not all commercial lick mats are designated “food-grade.” This means that toxic dyes and chemicals can transfer into your canine companion’s food. For this reason, check the packaging for a “food-safe” label before purchasing.
- Keep it clean: In general, lick mats are relatively mess-free! However, even if it looks clean after you give it to your pup, bacterial growth and mold occur more often than not. To keep your furry friend healthy, always wash the lick mat after each use with soap and warm water. Some lick mats, such as those made of silicone, may be dishwasher-safe.
- Know the signs of wear and tear: Like any toy, lick mats experience wear and tear with frequent use. Monitor the quality of the mat often and, when you see punctured or eroding material, it may be time to recycle and purchase a new lick mat.
Dog lick mats are a great tool for enrichment, calming your pup’s nerves, and occupying their time! If you’re thinking of giving them a little treat, a lick mat may be the item for you. They will thank you!