We officially have cabin fever here at Minimal Animal HQ. A serious cold-weather streak has limited Rolly’s outdoor activities to strictly business. With the forecast not looking better anytime soon, I’m prepping Lick Mat and Slow Feeder activities to keep him engaged.
This is when it really helps to have multiples on hand. I’ll prepare them, pop the extras in the freezer and pull them out to thaw an hour or so before I need them. Rolly mainly eats meat and picks around anything else, while Arlo likes cruciferous vegetables. Using The Slow Feeder and The Lick Mat is a good opportunity for me to try and expand Rolly's palette, by mixing vegetables in with other high-value treats.
Kale + Beef
I flash boiled kale until it started to get tender, then pureed it with a bit of olive oil. Next, I spread that and some beef baby food onto The Lick Mat and then topped it with pieces of air-dried turkey.
Cream Cheese + Corn
I had a bit of cream cheese that needed using, so I spread that over The Lick Mat, followed pureed corn (frozen kernels that I flash boiled before pureeing in a food processor). Lastly, I dusted the surface with freeze-dried chicken sprinkles.
Cottage Cheese + Beef
This one is simple and less decadent than some of the others here. Just spread some cottage cheese over The Lick Mat and crumble freeze-dried beef treats over the top.
Broccoli + Ham
This time, I spread ham baby food in the nooks of The Slow Feeder. Next: different vegetable, same technique—I flash boiled broccoli stems until just tender, then pureed them in a food processor, spooning the crumbling mix into The Slow Feeder. Lastly, I dropped on a few air-dried turkey bits.
Kibble + Chicken
My guys like Stella & Chewy's Wild Red Grain-Free Red Meat Recipe kibble. which I sprinkled into The Slow Feeder and topped with shredded chicken breast. Just before serving, I'll pour over some warm, unsalted chicken broth.
