Lick Mat
Most dogs and cats will engage with the Lick Mat without much encouragement—the scent of something tasty is enough to do the trick. But it’s a good idea to introduce the Lick Mat slowly, testing to see what treats work best for your pet and observing how they use the mat.
1. Plan to try various spreadable foods on the Lick Mat until you discover which ones your pet loves. Just be sure what you choose doesn’t contain xylitol or other harmful ingredients. See this list of some foods you should always avoid. You should always do your own research before offering a food to your pet. When in doubt, ask your vet.
2. Show your pet the Lick Mat and let them sniff it. If they start to chew the Lick Mat rather than licking the treat, remove the Lick Mat. Reintroduce the mat and repeat the process until your pet is comfortable with the Lick Mat.
3. Spread a small amount of treat across the Lick Mat’s surface, working it into the grooves. Gradually increase the amount of the treat(s) your pet likes over a period of days until you’re using the full surface of the Lick Mat (or as much of it as you’d like to use) and confident your pet is tolerating the new food well. Introducing anything new too quickly can cause an upset stomach—and in turn your pet may develop an aversion to that food, especially cats. Keep in mind that some foods are richer than others.
Tip: Rather than giving my dogs peanut butter straight out of the jar, I whip it with water, which reduces their calorie intake and makes it easier on their digestive systems.
4. Supervise your pet during these initial trials with the Lick Mat. You’ll be able to tell how aggressive they are with the mat, and whether they are likely to damage by gnawing on it or biting off pieces. While it’s never a good idea to leave a pet entirely alone with a lick mat, observing the way your pet uses the mat will give you a sense of how close an eye to keep on them anytime they are enjoying the mat.
5. Wash the Lick Mat after each use to prevent bacteria from developing. Our Lick Mat can go straight into the dishwasher, but if your pet tends to leave traces of food behind, see these simple tips for removing them.
6. If your Lick Mat shows signs of wear and tear, stop using it. We use food-grade silicone rather than hard plastic or ceramic, because it is less likely to harm the teeth or gums of your pet. Silicone is a durable material, but pet teeth can still damage it. Better safe than sorry.
Slow Feeder
As with the Lick Mat, for many dogs the offer of something tasty is enough to get them to use the Slow Feeder. But you should still introduce the Slow Feeder gradually, testing to see what foods work best for your pet and observing how they use the feeder.
Cats should use the Lick Mat as a slow feeder, since the shallow design is better for sensitive whiskers.
1. Start by using a little of your pet’s usual food in the Slow Feeder.
2. Show your pet the Slow Feeder and let them sniff it. If they start to chew the Slow Feeder rather than licking the treat, remove the Slow Feeder. Reintroduce the mat and repeat the process until your pet is comfortable with the mat.
3. Once you know your pet is comfortable with the Slow Feeder, you can start to introduce new ingredients, either as a treat or to supplement their diet. Try alternating their usual food and a new treat, chamber by chamber in the Slow Feeder. This creates a bit of discovery for your pup, and the hunt engages their senses and brain. Just make sure to introduce new foods gradually over a period of days, so you can be confident your dog is tolerating the new food well.
Tip: Introducing anything new too quickly can cause an upset stomach—and in turn your pet may develop an aversion to that food, especially cats. Keep in mind that some foods are richer than others.
Please be sure what you choose doesn’t contain xylitol or other harmful ingredients. See this list of some foods you should always avoid. You should always do your own research before offering a food to your pet. When in doubt, ask your vet.
4. Supervise your pet during these initial trials with the Slow Feeder. You’ll be able to tell how aggressive they are with the Slow Feeder, and whether they are likely to damage by gnawing on it or biting off pieces. While it’s never a good idea to leave a pet entirely alone with the Slow Feeder, observing the way your pet uses it will give you a sense of how close an eye to keep on them anytime they are enjoying the Slow Feeder.
5. Wash the Slow Feeder after each use to prevent bacteria from developing. Our Slow Feeder can go straight into the dishwasher.
6. If your Slow Feeder shows signs of wear and tear, stop using it. We use food-grade silicone rather than hard plastic or ceramic, because it is less likely to harm the teeth or gums of your pet. Silicone is a durable material, but pet teeth can still damage it. Better safe than sorry.
