As devoted pet parents, we constantly seek innovative ways to keep our furry companions happy, healthy, and engaged. One incredibly effective tool that has gained immense popularity in the world of dog enrichment is the Lickmat. These ingenious textured mats provide a simple yet powerful solution for tackling common canine issues like anxiety, boredom, and even mealtime woes. If you’re new to the concept of a lickmat, or simply looking for fresh ideas to fill your existing ones, you’re in the right place! Lickimats are designed to be smeared with soft, spreadable treats, encouraging your dog to lick for extended periods, which naturally calms them and provides a satisfying mental workout.
The benefits of incorporating a lickmat into your dog’s routine are plentiful. Firstly, the repetitive licking action is a natural self-soothing behavior for dogs, making lickmats excellent anxiety relievers. Whether it’s separation anxiety, fear of thunderstorms, or just general nervousness, a lickmat can provide a comforting distraction. Secondly, they are fantastic boredom busters, offering a prolonged activity that keeps dogs mentally stimulated, especially on rainy days or when you need them to settle down. They can also serve as a valuable training aid, helping to distract and reward your dog during stressful situations like grooming or vet visits. Finally, for fast eaters, a lickmat functions as an effective slow feeder, prolonging meal times and aiding digestion by preventing them from gulping down their food too quickly. The best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complex recipes to create a delightful and beneficial experience for your dog. In this article, we’ll explore three incredibly easy and healthy lickmat ideas using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, perfect for any dog owner looking to enhance their pup’s enrichment activities.
Three different Lickimats filled with healthy dog treats
1. Simple Banana Lickmat Treat
Bananas are a fantastic, single-ingredient treat that many dogs adore, and they make for an incredibly simple yet satisfying lickmat filling. For this particular lickmat idea, we’ll use a spacious XL Lickimat Buddy, as its design is perfect for spreading thicker ingredients smoothly. This method ensures your dog gets an even layer of deliciousness and an engaging licking experience that can last for quite some time, especially if you add the extra challenge of freezing it. Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamins B6 and C, and fiber, making them a healthy and energy-boosting snack for your canine companion when given in moderation.
Here’s how to prepare this easy banana lickmat recipe:
Ingredients & Equipment:
- Half a ripe banana
- XL Lickimat Buddy
Instructions:
- Step 1: Place half a banana directly in the center of your XL Lickimat Buddy.
- Step 2: Take one corner of the Lickimat and, using gentle pressure, pull it across the banana from one side to the other. This motion will help to smear the banana evenly across the mat’s textured surface.
- Step 3: Repeat this process using the opposite corner to spread the banana further. You can continue this with all four corners to cover the entire mat or leave some areas a bit chunkier for varying textures – your dog will enjoy it either way!
Pro Tip: To create an added challenge and extend your dog’s enrichment activity, stick this lickmat (or any of the ideas shared here) in the freezer for 1-2 hours or even overnight. Freezing transforms these simple treats into long-lasting, healthy frozen lickmat recipes, perfect for warmer days or for pups who need a longer distraction.
Important Note: While bananas are safe for dogs, never feed your dog the banana peel. Although not toxic, banana peels are difficult for dogs to digest and can potentially lead to an intestinal blockage, which can be a serious health concern. Always peel the banana before offering it to your dog.
A dog happily licking a banana-filled Lickimat Buddy
2. Wholesome Pumpkin & Yogurt Lickmat Delight
Combining pure canned pumpkin and plain Greek yogurt creates a nutrient-dense and highly palatable lickmat filling that’s excellent for your dog’s digestive health and overall well-being. This recipe is particularly well-suited for the Lickimat Soother, whose design is perfect for holding soft, spreadable ingredients like this delightful blend. The texture of the Soother provides an ideal surface for dogs to work their way through the creamy mixture, prolonging their enjoyment and maximizing the calming benefits of the lickmat. This combination not only tastes great but also offers significant health advantages, making it a go-to option for pet owners.
The key to this recipe lies in selecting the right ingredients. Always use 100% pure canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains spices and sugars that are harmful to dogs. Pure pumpkin is a fantastic source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion and alleviate issues like constipation or an upset stomach. Similarly, opt for plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. Regular yogurt often contains too much sugar or, worse, artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Plain Greek yogurt provides beneficial probiotics for gut health and is a good source of protein and calcium.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- 1-2 spoonfuls of plain Greek yogurt
- 1-2 spoonfuls of pure canned pumpkin (not pie mix)
- Small bowl for mixing
- Lickimat Soother
Instructions:
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt and pure canned pumpkin. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, consistent blend.
- Step 2: Using a spoon, carefully spread the pumpkin and yogurt mixture across your Lickimat Soother, ensuring it gets into all the textured grooves. The Lickimat Soother’s design is excellent for accommodating soft, creamy foods like this.
- As with the banana recipe, this mixture can be easily frozen for 1-2 hours or overnight. This transforms it into a wonderful frozen lickmat idea, extending your dog’s enjoyment and providing a cooling treat, especially during warmer weather.
A prepared Lickimat Soother with pumpkin and yogurt spread
3. Refreshing Blueberry Lickmat Smoothie
Blueberries are a superfood for dogs, packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making them an excellent choice for a healthy and refreshing lickmat treat. This blueberry dog treat recipe is incredibly simple and requires only a blender, transforming fresh blueberries into a spreadable smoothie-like consistency that your dog will adore. For this particular liquid-based recipe, the smaller Lickimat Buddy is an ideal choice, as its design is effective at holding liquids and preventing excessive mess while your dog enjoys their treat. This ensures a clean and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend.
The natural sweetness and vibrant flavor of blueberries make this a highly appealing option for most dogs. Beyond their delicious taste, blueberries contribute significantly to your dog’s health by providing powerful antioxidants that help combat cellular damage, and they are a good source of fiber and vitamins C and K. When blended, they create a delightful “smoothie” consistency that easily adheres to the lickmat, providing a mentally stimulating and hydrating treat.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- A handful of fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1-2 splashes of water
- Blender (such as a Ninja Blender)
- Lickimat Buddy
Instructions:
- Step 1: Place a handful of blueberries into your blender. Add 1-2 splashes of water; this helps the blueberries blend more smoothly. If your blender struggles, add a tiny bit more water, but avoid adding too much, as you want a thick, spreadable consistency.
- Step 2: Blend the blueberries until they form a smooth purée.
- Step 3: Carefully pour the blended blueberry mixture onto your Lickimat Buddy. You can use a spoon to gently spread it around a bit, but be mindful not to push too hard, as blueberry juice can splash!
- Step 4: Place the filled lickmat in your freezer for 1-2 hours or overnight until it’s completely frozen.
This blueberry lickmat recipe truly shines as a frozen lickmat idea. If served unfrozen, the liquid consistency can quickly become a messy affair as your dog slurps it up, potentially leading to blueberry stains on your floor. Freezing ensures a longer-lasting, less messy, and more satisfying enrichment experience.
A prepared Lickimat Buddy with a vibrant blueberry smoothie
Creating homemade dog treats, especially with a lickmat, doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming task. As you’ve seen, these three lickmat ideas are incredibly straightforward, utilizing simple, healthy ingredients you likely already have on hand. Incorporating a lickmat into your dog’s weekly routine can provide immense benefits, from reducing anxiety and combating boredom to aiding digestion and serving as a positive distraction during potentially stressful situations. It’s a fantastic way to offer your dog mental stimulation and a healthy, enriching outlet for their natural licking instincts. Experiment with these recipes, adjust them to your dog’s preferences, and watch them enjoy a rewarding and calming activity that nurtures both their body and mind. Consider exploring various other healthy and safe ingredients to keep the enrichment exciting and continuously offer new sensory experiences for your beloved canine companion.
