A licking mat for dogs: the way to combat boredom and create more peace
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by Robin van Leeuwen
More and more dog owners are discovering the benefits of a licking mat for dogs. Many dogs get quite a bit of physical exercise in a day. A walk in the morning, playing in the garden and maybe a long lap later in the day. Yet many owners notice that their dog still remains restless at home. Demolition, asking for attention, chasing everything or always looking for food and stimuli. In many cases this has not only to do with exercise, but also with a lack of mental challenge.
And that is exactly where a lick mat comes into play.
What is a lick mat?
A licking mat may seem simple at first glance: a mat with a pattern on which you spread something tasty. But for dogs it is much more than that. Due to the structure, a dog has to make an effort to lick everything out and let licking have a relaxing effect, provide focus and give your dog a quiet activity that really keeps him or her busy. Dogs that get bored quickly or have difficulty resting can especially benefit from a licking mat.
Why does a lick mat work so well?
Licking is a natural behavior for dogs that helps with relaxation. During licking, substances are released that can have a calming effect. That is why you often see that dogs become completely absorbed in the licking mat after a while. No external stimuli for a while, no hustle and bustle, but complete focus on one task.
This makes a licking mat ideal at times when your dog is normally restless. Think of rainy days when a long walk is less attractive, times when you work from home or when your dog has difficulty relaxing alone in the house.
A lick mat helps keep dogs occupied in a calm way. Instead of busy and hyperactive play, it's all about focus and relaxation.
Against boredom at home
Many dogs need more than just exercise. A dog can be physically tired, but still mentally understimulated. And it is precisely this mental boredom that is often reflected in behavior indoors.
A lick mat can help fill that void. Not by keeping your dog busy, but by letting him be busy in a calm manner. Some dogs are happy to be completely focused on a well-filled licking mat for twenty minutes. Searching, licking and being concentrated takes energy. As a result, a dog can often be much calmer after a session with a lick mat.
That also makes it ideal as a moment of rest during the day.
What do you do on a licking mat for dogs?
The nice thing about a lick mat is that you can vary endlessly. You don't have to apply the same thing every time and you can adjust it to what your dog likes or needs.
You can keep it very simple, but also combine it for an extra challenge. For example, a layer of pate with some chunks pressed into it or a combination of yogurt and snack pieces.
Extra challenge? Put the licking mat in the freezer
Do you want your dog to spend even longer on it? Then the freezer is ideal.
Freezing the filled lick mat for a while makes it more difficult to get everything out. This works extremely well as a cooling activity, especially in the summer. Dogs often take much longer and it requires extra focus and patience.
A frozen lick mat can be perfect:
On hot days
While working from home
As a moment of rest after a walk
When visitors come over
Days where you can walk for less time
During moments of tension or busyness
A simple way to create more peace
Sometimes mental challenge doesn't have to be complicated at all. You don't always have to do extensive puzzles or training sessions to keep your dog happy. Something as simple as a licking mat can provide more relaxation, less boredom and a better rhythm in the house.
And perhaps the biggest advantage: almost every dog likes it.
