What’s a Lick Mat & Does It Assist Cats? Execs, Cons & FAQ
Final Up to date on: July 5, 2023 by Crystal Uys
A lick mat is a flat silicone or rubber mat with ridges and bobbles designed to sluggish your cat’s consuming and supply psychological stimulation throughout mealtimes, as pets must work to free their meals. They’re extremely simple to make use of; simply put meals on the mat, smear it, and let your cat go to city. You should utilize moist meals, kibble, or treats! Lick mats may additionally assist calm confused and anxious pets by encouraging them to lick, which regularly encourages a way of calm. Maintain studying for extra details about lick mats for cats!
Execs & Cons of Lick Mats for Cats:
What Are the Execs of Lick Mats?
Lick mats decelerate super-fast eaters. Cats that take pleasure in dry meals usually gobble meals at unhealthy speeds, generally leading to gastrointestinal issues corresponding to vomiting. Lick mats encourage cats to spend extra time consuming meals by requiring them to “work” for his or her meals as a substitute of merely scarfing down what’s of their bowl. They make mealtimes more difficult and supply psychological stimulation.
Lick mats additionally enable your cat to make use of its senses in ways in which draw on its pure strengths. Indoor cats depend on their people for psychological and bodily stimulation. Lick mats match proper into feline enrichment applications!
What Are the Cons of Lick Mats?
Some folks recommend that lick mats made from laborious supplies have the potential to harm your cat’s tooth and gums. Make certain whichever product you buy is made of fabric agency sufficient to problem your pet however gentle sufficient to not trigger ache. Lick mats is probably not the most suitable choice for older pets with dental circumstances that make consuming uncomfortable.
Make certain to incorporate any meals or treats you give your cat utilizing a lick mat when calculating your pet’s day by day caloric consumption. Being obese is a contributing issue on the subject of growing power circumstances corresponding to coronary heart illness, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Making certain your pet maintains a wholesome weight is vital for his or her total well-being. Measuring your cat’s meals is a straightforward, simple method to forestall over and underfeeding.
The right way to Choose a Lick Mat for Your Cat
Lick mats usually are available in rubber or silicone, so make certain no matter product you choose is BPA-free and food-grade. Choices can be found in a number of sizes, though smaller choices are normally simply high-quality for many cats. There are tons of designs to select from, even enjoyable Star Wars and Disney designs.
Search for non-skid merchandise with suction cups on the underside to make it simple in your cat to take pleasure in their meal with out having to chase the lick mat. And at all times supervise your pet when utilizing one among these merchandise to make sure they don’t find yourself biting off a bit and consuming it.
FAQ
What Ought to Be Served on a Lick Mat?
Whereas lick mats will be nice for cats, they’re solely useful if you happen to feed your cat wholesome, high-quality cat meals. The simplest manner to make sure cats receive all the required vitamins is to serve your buddy business cat meals that meets American Affiliation of Feed Management Officers (AAFCO) dietary tips. Merchandise that achieve this will be marketed as full and balanced, as they include all of the nutritional vitamins, minerals, and different vitamins cats require for optimum well being.
Your veterinarian can let you realize in case your cat’s weight is wholesome or wants a little bit of adjustment. Nearly all business cat meals comes with feeding directions you need to use to find out how a lot to feed your buddy. Spend a couple of minutes calculating what your pet wants, and take the time to measure issues out to make certain you’re not giving your cat an excessive amount of or too little to eat.
Is Moist Meals or Dry Meals Higher?
Each moist and dry meals are fantastic choices that collectively provide tons of advantages. Dry meals is mostly greater in energy and carbohydrates. Pets require much less to satisfy their dietary wants, so it’s usually cheaper. However an excessive amount of dry meals can result in weight problems. Most cats love moist meals and are more than pleased to gobble down something from fish-based pâté to rooster chunks.
As a result of moist meals has plenty of water, it’s a good way to make sure cats keep sufficiently hydrated. Nevertheless, moist meals tends to be costlier as cats require extra of it to satisfy their caloric wants. And it’s not fairly as handy since leaving moist meals out for lengthy intervals permits micro organism to develop, which may make your cat sick and might entice pests.
Can I Put Treats on a Lick Mat?
Sure, you’ll be able to put treats in your lick mats! Treats additionally play a important position in preserving cats blissful and engaged. There are numerous treats to select from, together with manufacturers that help dental well being. Attempt to restrict treats to about 10 p.c of your pet’s weight loss program to make sure they’re getting their vitamins from wholesome, full meals sources.
Can Cats Eat Human Meals on a Lick Mat?
Whereas giving your cat a style of your meals could also be tempting, it’s normally greatest to keep away from permitting cats to snack on dishes and merchandise made to satisfy human preferences and dietary wants. Human meals is commonly too excessive in fats and energy for cats, which may contribute to weight acquire.
Many dishes include merchandise like salt and sugar that aren’t nice for pets. Others embody objects which might be poisonous to cats. Restaurant meals usually characteristic a number of substances, making it tough to find out in the event that they include something problematic.
Conclusion
Lick mats are rubber or silicone textured mats with ridges that maintain cat meals or treats. They’ve a number of advantages, together with slowing down quick eaters and offering psychological stimulation and enjoyable throughout mealtimes. I’ve discovered that my cat completely adores his lick mats. They’re extremely simple to make use of and cheap. Make certain to incorporate all of the meals and treats your cat liberates from their lick mat when figuring out your buddy’s total day by day caloric consumption to forestall overfeeding.
Featured Picture Credit score: Amanda | Aware Cat
Concerning the writer
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to another. With a ardour to coach the general public about all the pieces, there’s to learn about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that each one cats and their house owners know the significance of acutely aware dwelling – and loving!