As an owner of a dog with anxiety, I decided to test out the MateeyLife Licking Mat for Dogs and Cats and share to you my findings.
What is a Licking Mat for Dogs (and Cats)?
A dog licking mat is a popular tool used by pet owners to help reduce stress in their pets and keep them entertained. It’s a great way to provide mental stimulation for your dog and has the potential to improve their overall well-being.
Licking mats also help slow down your speedy eaters. When pets ingest their food too quickly, they can suffer from digestive issues, which can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. By introducing different textures to their food, it can act as a distraction and slow them down to a healthier eating pace.
The flat plastic surface of the mat is covered with raised bumps that are designed to simulate the action of licking. When your pup licks the mat, it releases endorphins, which have calming effects on them.
Licking mats come in different shapes and sizes, so you can select one that suits your pup’s size or preference best. You can put flavors that your dog enjoys eating. This makes it more enjoyable for your furry friend! The mats are very easy to clean as they can be wiped down with a damp cloth or put in the dishwasher after each use.
How Licking Mats For Dogs Help With Canine Mental and Physical Health
Licking mats provide a great deal of mental and physical benefits for dogs. First and foremost, it’s important to note that licking is a natural behavior for canine companions.
Licking helps them explore their environment with their tongue, as well as relax and self-soothe when feeling stressed or anxious. Licking mats give your pup something to keep busy with when bored and can even help reduce destructive behaviors like chewing or digging.
In addition to these mental benefits, there are also several physical advantages associated with using licking mats for dogs. By providing them with different textures on the mat surface, you can help massage sore muscles in their jaw while also exercising the muscles around their mouth leading to healthier teeth and gums.
Product Review Quick Verdict: MateeyLife Licking Mat
Yes, MateeyLife Licking Mat for Dogs and Cats is worth buying. This unique licking mat is a great way to slow down your fast eaters and keep them stimulated and entertained so they don’t get bored or anxious. The suction cups make it easy to attach the mat to most surfaces, plus the mat is made from high-quality, food-grade silicone so it’s safe for your pet. The mats are also durable and easy to clean.
The only downside is that the suction cups won’t work on some surfaces, but that’s a minor issue I can live with.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Help reduce anxiety in cats and dogs by providing an engaging activity.
- The suction cups keep the mats securely in place, reducing mess.
- The material is non-toxic and safe for both cats and dogs, so it won’t harm them.
- The mats are easy to clean and can be used multiple times to save money.
- Great for dogs and cats of all sizes, making it a perfect choice for any pet.
Cons:
- The mats may be too small for some larger cats and dogs.
- The suction cups may not be strong enough to hold the mats in place on some surfaces.
- The mat may not last long if used frequently or with aggressive animals.
Different Textures for Slow Feeding and Digestion
The MateeyLife Licking Mat is designed with a special feature that helps your pet slow down their eating and digestion. Your pet can’t gobble up their food when they’re eating off of this mat! That’s because the mat has a textured surface with bumps and ridges that slow down their eating. This helps them to digest their food better and prevents overeating.
The science behind it is actually pretty cool. Slow eating is important for dogs’ health, as it can help prevent bloating and indigestion. One way to make sure your pup eats slowly is by using a licking mat. Licking mats are designed to slow down the rate at which your dog eats their food by providing physical and mental stimulation when they feed.
These mats come in different shapes, sizes, and textures—some even feature interactive elements like ridges or mazes that your dog has to work through to get their food. This encourages them to eat more slowly since they must explore the surface of the mat before getting all of their meal. The ridges also massage the tongue while eating which stimulates saliva production, further breaking down the food in the mouth before swallowing it whole. This helps with digestion and prevents any indigestion or stomach issues that may occur from consuming their food too quickly.
Pro Tip 1—Make sure to get the right size licking mat for your pet so that they can comfortably eat off of it.
Calms and Soothes Pets
The Calming and Soothing feature of the MateeyLife Licking Mat is a real lifesaver! It’s perfect for cats and dogs who are feeling anxious or stressed. This feature is like a magic wand that turns a grumpy pet into a peaceful one. It’s such a relief for pet parents who don’t know what to do with their pet’s bad behavior.
The science behind this feature is that when your pet licks the mat, it releases endorphins which are hormones that reduce stress and anxiety. Pet parents can also add treats or peanut butter to the mat to make it more exciting and enjoyable for their pets.
Pro Tip 2—For a more calming effect, put the Mat in the freezer for 15 minutes before use. This will make it a nice cool treat for your pet and will help them relax more.
4-quadrant Design for Food Distribution
This fantastic product has a 4-quadrant design, which is super useful for distributing food across the whole mat. No matter how much your pup or kitty loves a particular treat, they can’t hoover it all up in one go. This design makes sure that they get an even spread of the treats, so they can enjoy each one. It’s kind of like when your parents would split your candy bar—even if you thought it was unfair, it was for your own good. Plus, it’s like you’re getting four treats for the price of one!
The design also slows down your pet’s eating. It’s kind of like when your teacher would make you break up your math problems into parts – it took more time, but you were much more likely to get the right answer. The same principle applies here, with your pet taking more time to get the treats and feeling more satisfied in the end.
When it comes to the science behind it, the 4-quadrant design helps your pet to practice their licking skills. This is because they have to use their tongue to move around and find the treats, which activates specific muscles in their mouth. This helps them to develop physically, while also providing mental stimulation.
Pro Tip 3—Add flavors and textures to the licking experience and your pet will love it! Some doggie favorites are peanut butter, applesauce, pumpkin puree, chooped chicken meat, and crushed dog biscuits.
100% BPA Free, Non-Toxic, Food Grade Silicone
The lick mat is made with 100% BPA-free, non-toxic, food-grade silicone. This means your dog can lick and chew on it worry-free. You don’t have to worry about your dog getting sick because of the materials. It’s totally safe for your dog or cat.
Freezer Safe and Dishwasher Safe
The MateeyLife Licking Mat is dishwasher safe and freezer safe too. The silicone mat is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, so you can freeze treats and wash the mats in the dishwasher without worrying about them breaking.
Pro Tip 4—Give your pet an extra special treat: freeze wet dog or cat food like canned beef, tuna, or salmon to make it last longer.
Conclusion
Overall, the MateeyLife Licking Mat for Dogs and Cats is a great choice for pet owners who want to keep their furry friends happy and busy. Its suction cups make it super easy to attach on any flat surface, while its unique design provides boredom relief and anxiety management as well as a great way to slow down your dog when he eats too fast. The treat mat works well at bath time too! I would definitely recommend this product to dog and cat owners.