Lick mat calm-down
Soft food spread thinly over a lick mat. Slow, steady licking helps many dogs settle, for example during fireworks or storms.
What you need
- Lick mat — shop-bought
- Your pet's regular food or kibble
How to do it
- Spread a thin layer of your dog's wet food over the ridges of a lick mat.
- For a longer session, freeze it first, or pour on a little low-sodium broth and freeze that on a hot day.
- Put it down in a quiet spot and stay nearby while your dog licks.
- Pick it up when it is clean, and wash it after every use.
⚠️ Safety
Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.
AKC says there is no "leave it and forget it" dog toy: watch your dog so they don't chew or eat the mat, and replace mats with worn, punctured or jagged ridges. If you use peanut butter, check for xylitol and use it sparingly.
👀 What to watch for
A dog that chews the mat instead of licking it should get the mat for shorter sessions only, with you right there.
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