Tips & Tricks

My dogs are a little picky and a lot anxious, which means I'm constantly trying out lick mat recipes to keep them constructively engaged and create positive associations when I have to leave them home alone. This is a log of recipes I've tried with a little context about how w...

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...

When you think of a slow feeders, perhaps you think of them as a solution for fast eaters? True, but they also provide mental enrichment and can help reduce mealtime stress. The benefits? Improving your pet’s enjoyment of their meal and their digestion. Using a slow feeder co...

It may sound involved, but enrichment is actually pretty simple—and essential for keeping your pets happy and healthy. You probably already have the physical stuff (daily walks and playtime) built into your routine, but mental activities are just as important—especially if you...

  Q: What is the difference between a slow feeder and a lick mat? A: Both slow your pet down while eating, but a slow feeder is typically a bowl with deep compartments that's meant as a way to give your pet their meal, while a lick mat, while lick mats are usually used for enr...

Halloween is here! Follow a few simple ASPCA-recommended precautions to make sure your pets stay out of harm's way this holiday. Because being scared is only a good time when it's fun and games—not when a beloved pet is sick or lost.  Put Treats Someplace Safe Your pets can sn...

Now that the days are getting longer and warmer and my dogs are spending more time on walks, I find that I’m using their Lick Mats differently. In the winter—particularly the bitterly cold one we just had—the Lick Mats were a substitute for the lack of enrichment of getting ou...

I started this brand because I wanted the products I use each and every day for my dogs to be as beautiful as anything else I’d choose for my home. And for me, the most beautiful design is minimal—pieces that do their job brilliantly, have clean lines and are well crafted from...

As a very small brand that is just getting started, my order quantities for production goods are low, so the price of each unit is relatively high. I chose to work this way for two reasons—first, it meant I could fund things myself, without outside investors or loans. Second, ...

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 ...