LickMats for Dogs and Cats: The Complete Guide to Use, Benefits, and Recipes
What are LickMats and how do they work?
LickMats are versatile silicone or rubber mats with special textures, designed to improve the mental and physical well-being of dogs and cats through licking. Licking releases calming endorphins, stimulates saliva production, and provides important mental stimulation for your pet.
They are particularly useful for slowing down fast eaters , reducing anxiety during stressful events, and providing wholesome entertainment .
🐾 Situations Where to Use LickMats
1. Bathing and Hygiene
Attach the LickMat to the wall of the bathtub or grooming table using a suction cup. Spread peanut butter (for dogs) or wet food (for cats) inside to distract your pet while you wash, brush, or trim their nails.
2. Events that Cause Anxiety
Use it during thunderstorms, fireworks, or when visitors arrive to calm nervous dogs and cats through the gentle licking motion.
3. Separation Anxiety
Offer your pet a prepared LickMat before you even leave home to keep them occupied and reduce stress.
4. Transportation Company Training
He places the LickMat inside the carrier to create a positive association, helping dogs and cats feel more comfortable.
5. Visits to the Veterinarian
Take a prepared LickMat to the vet to distract your pet during exams or vaccinations.
6. Slow Feeding
Serve daily meals in the LickMat to prevent fast eaters from gulping down food, aiding digestion and reducing bloating .
7. Car Trips
A LickMat can provide distraction for anxious animals in the car.
💡 Tips for Using LickMats
✅ Freeze to Last Longer
Freeze the filled LickMat to make the treat last longer—great for keeping pets occupied for extended periods or cooling them down on hot days .
✅ Supervises Initial Use
Monitor your pet to ensure that it does not chew or ingest the mat itself.
✅ Choose Safe Toppings
Use safe, spreadable treats such as:
- For dogs: Natural peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol-free), natural Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, mashed banana, wet food.
- For Cats: Wet food, specialized squeeze treats (like Churu), sardines in water, pumpkin puree, lactose-free yogurt.
✅ Insert Gradually
If your pet hesitates, start with a high-value, easy-to-lick treat, and sit nearby to encourage them.
✅ Cleans Properly
Most LickMats are dishwasher safe, but hand washing with warm, soapy water is recommended to remove food from any grooves.
✅ Prevents Resource Storage
If you have multiple animals, separate them while they are using LickMats to avoid fights over treats.
🎓 Training Scenarios with LickMats
Transportation Company Training
Use the LickMat as a reward, placing it inside the carrier to encourage the animal to enter voluntarily.
Positive Reinforcement
He uses the LickMat as a reward for completing commands or practicing calm behaviors, reinforcing good behavior with a lasting treat.
Desensitization
Use the LickMat while you introduce, for example, the sound of fireworks or a new and frightening object, rewarding calm behavior.
Teach "Stay" or "Place"
Use the LickMat to reward your dog for staying on a mat or in a specific designated location.
🥄 Recipes and Toppings for LickMats
🐶 For Dogs - Recommended Kivo Products
Kivo Steam Meals (spread directly):
Kivo Snacks (crushed and mixed with water or yogurt):
- Kivo Cow Lung - perfect for topping
- Kivo Chicken Gizzards - grind to create paste
- Kivo Mini Fish Trainer - Crush and Spread
- Kivo Duck Mini Trainer - Squish and Spread
- Kivo Codfish Donut
- Kivo Salmon Skin - ground into a paste rich in Omega 3
Kivo Oils and Supplements:
- Kivo Wild Sardine Oil - rich in Omega-3
- Kivo Lamb Fat with Garlic and Seaweed - digestive support
🐶 For Dogs - Other Safe Options
- Natural peanut butter (without xylitol)
- Natural Greek yogurt
- Pumpkin puree
- Mashed banana
- Wet food or pâté
- Feed soaked in water
- Bone broth
🐱 For Cats - Recommended Coatings
- Wet cat food
- Specialized squeeze snacks (like Churu)
- Sardines in water (canned)
- Pumpkin puree
- Lactose-free yogurt
- Cat pâté
🛒 LickMats Available at Bark & Meow
Discover our complete collection of LickMats for dogs and cats:
- LickMat The Petal - Peach - Flower-shaped design
- Mini Maze LickMat - Burgundy
- Adventure LickMat - Coral
- LickMat spatula - for easy spreading.
- LickMat Cleaning Brush - easy cleaning
✅ Conclusion
LickMats are versatile and effective tools for improving the well-being of dogs and cats . From reducing anxiety to promoting slow feeding and providing mental enrichment, the benefits are numerous.
Experiment with different recipes and toppings to discover what your pet likes best, and enjoy the moments of calm and joy that LickMats provide! 🌸
Explore our complete collection of LickMats and Kivo products at Bark & Meow!
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