AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
What if there was a product that offered a way to soothe, entertain, and enrich your dog? Lick mats meet your dog鈥檚 many needs, from alleviating separation anxiety to helping clean their teeth. Many dog owners swear by these mats because they鈥檙e easy to clean, durable, and allow some flexibility with their usage.
Benefits of Lick Mats for Dogs
Having a lick mat in your arsenal of dog enrichment activities is a must. These devices offer a host of benefits to meet dogs鈥� many different needs. For instance, a lick mat filled with frozen can soothe an anxious dog during fireworks displays or thunderstorms. It can also give you a few moments of peace from an overactive, mouthy puppy.
Lick mats also aim to:
- Promote dental health. A lick mat鈥檚 grooves and ridges help scrape away residue on your dog鈥檚 teeth, staving off dental disease and tooth loss. While not a substitute for tooth brushing, lick mats can be part of a balanced dental maintenance routine.
- Create positive associations. Crate training offers countless benefits, giving dogs a calm place to retreat, rest, and recuperate. Successfully crate training a dog requires creating a positive association with the kennel, which could involve using coated in treats.
- Slow down eating. Some lick mats double as slow feeders, preventing dogs from gobbling down their food in seconds. This can work to reduce the likelihood of bloat (also known as gastric dilation-volvulus), which can result from a dog eating and drinking too quickly.
Lick mats also offer a simple form of entertainment for both dog and owner. You get the joy of creating a tasty treat for your dog, and they get the joy of polishing it off.slow feeder
How to Clean and Maintain Lick Mats
One of the best aspects of lick mats is that they鈥檙e generally easy to clean. They鈥檙e not like hollow rubber toys that require some finagling to clean the inside. They also don鈥檛 have thick edges and corners where food can crust and lead to mold growth.
Some dog owners recommend boiling these items in scalding water to ensure proper cleaning. Be sure to check your product鈥檚 description before doing this, as this could cause the material to melt or warp.
Generally, you can wipe down these flat toys using a combination of soap and warm water. This is recommended for lick mats made of natural rubber. However, some lick mats (particularly those made of food-grade silicone) are dishwasher-safe. Simply pop these devices in with your plates and cups, and presto, you鈥檒l have a clean toy ready for its next use.
Different Features of Lick Mats Offer Different Benefits
When selecting a lick mat for your dog, you鈥檒l notice that different products come with different features 鈥� and by extension offer different benefits. For instance:
- allow you to securely fasten the lick mat to slippery surfaces, such as bathtubs or sinks. Spreading your dog鈥檚 favorite treat over a lick mat could make trimming their fur or cleaning their ears easier.
- Many are divided into quarters, with each section having a different pattern or texture. Here, you could put a different treat in each compartment. For instance, you could spread peanut butterover the section with ridges and pour into the section with the maze-like pattern.
- A non-slip grip would keep a mat in place regardless of how intensely your dog licks it. This could allow you to pour liquid onto the mat without worrying about spills.
- If you enjoy traveling with your dog, some mats come with lids to seal in the spread鈥檚 freshness and make the toy easier for on-the-go use.
Some lick mats come with spreaders to ensure a neat, hands-free way of applying your dog鈥檚 favorite treats.
Foods and Treats Ideal for Lick Mats
The only limit to what you can use on a lick mat is your imagination (and, of course, what food is safe for dogs). The first spreadable that many people associate with lick mats is peanut butter. While a solid choice, note that some contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that鈥檚 toxic to dogs. Peanut butter should also only be used in moderation, as it can contain syrups and oils that lead to obesity.
Your dog will appreciate a variety of on their lick mats. Plain, unsweetened yogurt is great in moderation. It鈥檚 a great source of probiotics that can strengthen your dog鈥檚 digestive health. Just like with peanut butter, make sure any yogurt you provide doesn鈥檛 have artificial sugars or flavors.
If you鈥檙e looking for a sweet treat loaded with nutrients, honey is packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. An added benefit is that, over time, it introduces your dog鈥檚 immune system to small amounts of pollen, building resistance to local allergens.
Extending a dog鈥檚 play sessions with a lick mat is easy. Just pour low-sodium chicken, , or vegetable broth on the mat, then freeze it. In a few hours, your dog will have an ice-cold treat to enjoy. Frozen lick mats are ideal on hot days to keep dogs hydrated.
Tips for Prepping and Providing Lick Mats for Your Dog
There鈥檚 no such thing as a 鈥渓eave-it-and-forget-it鈥� dog toy. Even with the convenience and enrichment lick mats offer, they鈥檙e best used with supervision. The label 鈥渇ood-grade鈥� means these items are permitted to come in contact with food; the products themselves aren鈥檛 suitable for consumption. Under your watch, you can intervene if your dog attempts to eat or otherwise destroy their lick mat.
Here are some other tips for buying, using, and maintaining lick mats:
- Believe it or not, not every lick mat available for purchase is deemed 鈥渇ood-grade鈥�. Non-food-grade mats run the risk of leaching dyes, chemicals, and other toxins into your dog鈥檚 food. Check the product鈥檚 packaging to ensure that it鈥檚 safe for your intended use.
- Clean your dog鈥檚 lick mat after each use, even if the surface appears clean. Wiping it down with warm soap and water can prevent mold and bacterial growth.
- Know the signs of excessive wear and tear on your dog鈥檚 lick mat. Eroding material, punctures, and jagged ridges could pose threats to your dog鈥檚 health. Always err on the side of caution regarding your dog鈥檚 safety and throw out any degraded toys.
Do you have an anxious dog who hates water? A lick mat could offer a welcome distraction during bath time. Does your teething puppy shred stuffed squeaky toys? A lick mat with a smattering of could give much-needed peace. Needless to say, lick mats have benefits for every dog and every owner!