I’m at all times in search of methods to convey extra pleasure and enrichment to my Dachshund’s life and assist hold them from losing interest once they’re hanging out in the home (hyperlink).
A type of methods is with enrichment toys and meals puzzles.
We use a number of differing kinds however at the moment I wish to share about canine lick mats.
I first began utilizing them about 4 years in the past however my curiosity and inspiration was just lately renewed after I attended the Superzoo pet commerce present.
Canine lick mats have actually come a good distance because the starting.
There are such a lot of choices out there now, together with canine lick mats of various problem.
I do know a few of you aren’t acquainted with what they’re although so let’s begin there.
Then I’ll go on to debate lick mat security, which of them we predict are the perfect, lick mat toppings, tips on how to clear them and extra!
What’s a Canine Lick Mat?
A canine lick mat is usually a flat piece of plastic or rubber (synthetic or natural) with a raised design, ridges, or bristles on the highest.
There are some lick “mats” which are literally within the form of a bowl however use the identical idea.
You unfold meals and treats over the textured floor, thus trapping it in crevices.
When the meals or treats are smooshed into the raised design, your Dachshund shouldn’t be capable of seize the meals with their tooth and should use their tongue to get the meals out as a substitute.
Your Dachshund then licks the mat again and again to get it out.
Lick mats have totally different designs on prime, and totally different depth of the ridges and bristles, which make the problem differ from straightforward to most troublesome.
Are Lick Mats Secure for Canine?
Lick mats are usually secure for any canine.
Nonetheless, they lick mats are usually not a chew toy so that you’ll want to observe how your canine makes use of the mat at first.
Generally my Dachshund Summit will chew on the mat in an try and get the meals out of it.
Whereas it hasn’t occurred, there’s a threat that she may break off and swallow items of the “raised nubs” within the course of.
These items would usually be small however I wouldn’t need her to choke.
Additionally, there’s a probability, relying on what materials the lick mat is made out of, the swallowed items may launch unnatural chemical compounds into your canine’s abdomen.
It is doable that some canine might attempt to chew on the mat itself (suppose piece of pizza). Meaning they might swallow massive items that might trigger them to choke or create an intestinal blockage.
If a lick mat turns into broken, take away it out of your canine instantly and throw it away.
The underside line is barely you realize your canine. Watch how they use a lick mat and discontinue for those who suppose it poses a threat to them.
In case you are frightened about what your canine could be ingesting from the mat once they lick it repeatedly, particularly if they’re energy lickers, know that almost all lick mats are made out of non poisonous, food-grade supplies.
It’s at all times finest to test the label fastidiously although. Actually low cost ones made in China might include unsafe chemical compounds.
If the fabric used shouldn’t be listed, assume it’s not secure. All respected manufacturers shall be clear and checklist precisely what the lick mat is made out of.
What Are the Advantages of Lick Mats for Dachshunds?
Lick mats appear easy however there are a number of advantages to utilizing one in your Dachshund.
A lick mat can:
- Decelerate consuming – lick mats will help cease your Dachshund from consuming too quick by greater than double the time it takes in your canine to eat their meal
- Assist relieve boredom – it provides them one thing to do
- Scale back stress and anxiousness – licking is soothing for canine
- Preserve your Dachshund busy – that is helpful when that you must hold them from below your toes or following you round
- Present psychological train and psychological stimulation – a Dachshund has to make use of their problem-solving expertise to future out tips on how to lick the mat clear
- Present a distraction throughout annoying occasions – annoying occasions generally is a bathtub, clipping their nails, when company are over, and many others.
- Aids digestive well being, promotes wholesome tooth and recent breath – licking creates saliva that accommodates enzymes that may assist with this stuff and the raised bumps scrape the tongue
Are All Canine Lick Mats the Identical?
4 years after I first found them, there are actually 100 totally different lick mats available on the market now.
You could be questioning how to select from all of the totally different lick mat decisions. Are all of them the identical?
The reply is sure and no.
Sure, in that all of them work just about the identical manner and supply related advantages.
And no in that they differ in 4 main methods:
- The form of the lick mat – flat spherical, flat sq., flat rectangle, bowl formed
- The fabric they’re made out of – meals grade silicone, non-toxic TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) materials (like Sodapup beneath), pure rubber (like LickiMat beneath), and doubtless some others.
- The extent of problem – the extra intricate and detailed the design, the smaller the grooves, and the tighter the corners, the upper the problem
- Suction cups or not – lick mats with suction cups could be caught to the aspect of the bath or window
These are the variations however how do you select which one is true in your wants and your canine?
Take into account the choices, strive one, and see if it really works for you and your canine.
The bodily form is essentially irrelevant, besides within the case of those formed like bowls that wobble. They add an entire totally different problem to the expertise.
Though the supplies used to make the lick mats can differ, many of the lick mats shall be made out of non-toxic, pet-safe supplies in order that’s probably not a deciding issue.
Nonetheless, at all times double test what they’re manufactured from earlier than buying. Lick mats made exterior of the US, or different international locations with excessive security requirements, or that don’t checklist the product supplies, are doubtlessly suspect.
Determine for those who want the suction cups. Though they’re the one alternative if that you must stick the lick mat to the wall, window, or aspect of the bathe, the suction cups could make them unstable on flat surfaces.
So for those who plan to make use of the lick mat on the ground, personally, I might not select one with suction cups.
The extent of problem might be going to be the largest resolution you’ll have to make.
In case your canine has by no means used a lick mat, chances are you’ll wish to begin with the simplest stage.
Nonetheless, I did that with my Dachshund Summit and Gretel and it was instantly obvious that it wasn’t a problem for them so I rapidly needed to improve to the medium stage lick mat.
A part of the problem stage is what you select to placed on the lick mat so shopping for a medium problem mat and placing a mushy filling in it, and never utterly urgent it into the crevices, might prevent having to improve later.
I’ve a number of totally different lick mats although – various difficulties, shapes, and problem ranges – as a result of I like to change issues up and usually Dachshund sit so I wish to be ready for the power and curiosity of varied canine.
Once I Use Lick Mats for My Dachshunds
There are a number of conditions after I would possibly give my Dachshunds a mat with meals to lick.
These embrace:
- Use as a gradual feeder at mealtime – this solely works with uncooked or canned pet food
- To occupy Summit lengthy sufficient for her to let me trim her nails – she likes the meals greater than she dislikes having her nails lower
- When I’m cooking and don’t need my canine below foot – that is safer for each of us
- As a distraction when we have now strangers (visitor) over – they’ll’t bark and soar on them if they’re occupied with the lick mat
- Once I must tire them out however can’t get out for a stroll or hike – psychological stimulation can tire a canine out greater than bodily train
- Once I’m working from house – typically I actually need to give attention to a mission
Hopefully my checklist provides you some concepts and examples of when and the way you would possibly wish to use a canine lick mat in your Dachshund.
Greatest Lick Mats for Dachshunds
Disclosure: Among the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks (Amazon Affiliate or different applications we take part in). As an affiliate, I earn a small fee from qualifying purchases.
The most effective lick mats for Dachshunds aren’t too massive.
There isn’t any want for “wasted house” and it’s tempting to place an excessive amount of meals (energy) on a big lick mat floor.
Most Dachshunds are decided and relentless with regards to meals, and are knowledgeable lickers, so chances are you’ll wish to select a medium problem to laborious problem mat design.
Listed here are what I believe are the perfect lick mats for Dachshunds:
Simple Issue Lick Mats
Medium Issue Lick Mats
Most Difficult Lick Mats
Lick Mat Topping Concepts
What you placed on a lick mat in your Dachshund doesn’t must be fancy. Nonetheless, it should match a pair standards.
It should be:
- Spreadable or pourable
- One thing that your canine actually enjoys consuming
Some fast lick mat filling concepts are:
- Peanut butter (xylitol free)
- Spreadable cheese (with out spices or seasonings)
- Plain cottage cheese
- Canned pet food
- Uncooked pet food
- Plain greek yogurt
- Canned pumpkin (unsweetened)
- Canned candy potato (unsweetened)
- Pureed veggies (no salt or spices)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Mashed banana
- Eggs (uncooked or positioned on the mat after which microwaved)
You can too put a number of of those substances on the lick mat collectively, both on totally different components of it or blended collectively.
To extend the problem of any mat, you’ll be able to unfold the deal with or meals on the lick mat after which freeze it.
Word: Most canine lick mats are microwave or freezer secure however you’ll want to test the label first.
To make it extra fascinating, you can even sprinkle issues on prime of the bottom deal with or meals like unsweetened coconut, dried liver flakes, or crushed freeze dried blueberries.
If you happen to’re in search of extra inventive lick mat concepts, this Peanut Butter, Banana, Coconut Kong Stuffing may even work as a lick mat unfold and this canine pleasant smoothie recipe could be poured on the lick mat after which frozen.
There are different lick mat recipes for canine on the market too like this fall likimat recipe.
How you can Clear a Canine Lick Mat
Most canine lick mats are dishwasher secure, though it’s finest to test first.
Nonetheless, in my expertise, nothing will get them as clear as quaint hand scrubbing.
I first use a forceful stream of water from the tap directed to the crevices on the mat to flush out many of the residue (it helps for those who additionally bend the mat as you do it).
Then I put some cleaning soap on a scrub brush and take away the cussed items of meals nonetheless caught on it.
Be sure you scrub off the again of the mat too!
Ultimate Ideas
There are numerous makes use of for canine lick mats.
Utilizing one will help you handle your Dachshund’s conduct, assist them “cooperate” throughout grooming, assist them eat slower, and might present psychological stimulation that tires them out.
Lick mats are usually secure to make use of with any canine nevertheless it’s vital to at all times supervise your canine whereas they’re consuming off of it, at the least the primary few occasions till you realize what to anticipate.
The largest hazard with a lick mat is that your canine will chew a chunk off and swallow it, inflicting an intestinal blockage.
If a mat turns into damaged, or considerably chewed up, throw it away.
If used correctly, lick mats are a good way to complement your canine’s life and make it extra fascinating.
