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Over the previous 5 years, I’ve watched lick mats turn out to be one of many commonplace instruments for treating nervousness and tedium in canines and cats. That’s very true for the branded model LickiMat®.
They’re an ideal assist, and I’m not going to let you know to not use them. However I need you to watch out.
What Is A Lick Mat?
A lick mat is a textured flat floor made out of rubber, normally with suction cups to connect it to the ground. The sample on the highest is designed to lure meals and make it arduous to eat shortly. The goal is to get canines and cats to spend their time in licking as an alternative of different undesirable behaviours, or to alleviate boredom and nervousness. Not like different gradual feeders, licky mats promote licking behaviour, as an alternative of meals in search of or foraging.
Makes use of For A LickiMat
The makes use of being promoted for the LickiMat® on their web site embody:
- Leisure & distraction
- Discount of hysteria & stress
- Boredom buster
- Gradual feeding
- Uncooked feeding
- Environmental enrichment
- Enhancing oral well being
A few of these makes use of make a whole lot of sense. A lick mat is an effective way to get a canine to tolerate disagreeable conditions like bathing, grooming, nail clipping and vet visits. That’s solely as long as your canine is very food-motivated.
You would additionally use it as an help to crate coaching and getting your canine accustomed to automotive journeys. It’s additionally an effective way to alleviate stress in non permanent conditions, like fireworks and thunderstorms, or homeowners leaving the home.
So what’s the issue? Firstly, a number of the claims make little or no sense.
Do Lick Mats Enhance Oral Well being?
LickiMat’s producers declare that by stimulating saliva manufacturing it could possibly clear the tongue, tooth and gums. Effectively, as somebody who’s well-acquainted with the literature on what really retains pets’ mouths clear, this assertion lacks any foundation in actual fact.
In truth, the kinds of treats getting used on these mats ought to logically make periodontal illness worse, not higher. All the time keep in mind that periodontal illness in canines and cats follows the identical course because it does in people: you wouldn’t anticipate your tooth to be higher by licking peanut butter off a rubber tray both.
What in regards to the declare that scraping the tongue freshens your pet’s breath? Ludicrous. I’ve been a vet for near 30 years, and I’ve by no means but seen unhealthy breath brought on by tongues!
Are Lick Mats Calming?
One in all my main considerations not simply with lick mats however extra usually is the distinction between being busy and being comfortable. Whereas I believe these merchandise are nice for stopping nervousness in worrying conditions, it’s an enormous declare to say that such merchandise enhance nervousness that’s already current. As with my complaints about Adaptil and Feliway, such claims may cease canine and cat homeowners selecting cures that really assist them.
Beware the producer declare that “the prolonged licking motion promoted by LickiMat releases a chilled hormone”. Thus far there’s no proof for nervousness discount with lick mats or any ‘hormone’ being launched. Sure, a mat may maintain them busy and fewer vulnerable to expressing anxious behaviours, however that’s not the identical factor.
These two complaints are minor quibbles in contrast with my considerations about security. Listed here are two methods.
Intestinal Obstruction & Hygiene
Prior to now month now we have seen two animals want veterinary consideration because of lick mats.
The primary is a canine referred to as Murphy. He was left alone with a lick mat for only a second, and promptly chewed it up and swallowed it. Fortunately his homeowners instantly noticed what occurred and introduced him down. That’s his vomit within the image initially.
The second is Tex the cat. He ate a bit of his lick mat with out anybody noticing. When he began vomiting, his proprietor realised what was flawed. That’s his x-ray under; the white rectangle in his stomach is the piece, now blocking his intestines.
There’s additionally an image above of that piece matched with the remainder of the mat, after we took it out. With out main surgical procedure, he would have been in a whole lot of bother. The identical might have been true for Murphy after all.
This could come as no shock. Vets have at all times mentioned that something flavoured like meals, however not digestible is extraordinarily harmful. So right here’s the newly up to date checklist:
- corn cobs
- satay sticks
- icecream sticks
- meat wrapping
- cooked bones
- lick mats
How To Use Lick Mats Extra Safely
“It’s essential to absolutely prepare your canine earlier than leaving her/him alone with a LickiMat.” So say LickiMat.
These merchandise are being promoted for pets left house alone, which in my opinion is insanity. Within the basic enthusiasm for something new, we’ve forgotten some fundamental guidelines.
It’s my sturdy view that no canine ought to be left alone with a lick mat. Even after ‘coaching’, no matter that’s. There’s no telling when a canine will get pissed off and simply chew it up. Cats is perhaps at a decrease threat, however Tex exhibits us it could possibly nonetheless occur, particularly with the softer silicone merchandise.
One other factor: be careful that these mats are correctly cleaned after every use. That is notably essential if you happen to’re utilizing them with uncooked meals. It will be sensible to purchase ones which might be dishwasher protected.
What Can I Use As an alternative Of A Lick Mat?
I’m not against utilizing meals as a distraction after they should be left. For those who do, I like to recommend gradual feeder bowls, Kong Wobblers, Bobalots and Nina Ottoson merchandise with lengthy monitor information of confirmed security. Or you’ll be able to conceal meals round the home or backyard.
To be truthful, LickiMat make a ‘Tuff’ model, and even a keeper tray to make chewing tougher. However I’ve seen each the crimson and black rubber Kongs destroyed and know solely too nicely how damaging a decided canine may be.
Have one thing so as to add? Feedback (if open) will seem inside 24 hours.
By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his group right here.
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