Enrichment Opportunities

 

Nutritional Enrichment

  • Lick mats (fresh and frozen)
  • Puzzle feeders
  • Frozen treats (summer only)

Lick mats offer various benefits for cats, including reducing anxiety and boredom, promoting better oral hygiene, and encouraging slower eating. They provide mental stimulation and can be a helpful distraction during stressful situations such as change of environment and separation.

Here’s a more detailed look at the benefits:

Anxiety and Boredom Reduction:

  • Licking releases endorphins, which have a calming effect on cats, similar to humans finding comfort in repetitive tasks.
  • Lick mats can be a great distraction during stressful events like thunderstorms, changes of environment and separation.
  • They provide mental enrichment, helping to prevent boredom and promote overall well-being.

Improved Oral Health:

  • The licking action helps to remove food particles and plaque from the tongue, teeth, and gums.
  • Increased saliva production, stimulated by licking, aids in digestion and helps to keep the mouth clean.
  • The textured surface of the mat can also help to scrape away tartar build-up.

Encourages Slower Eating:

  • Lick mats force cats to eat more slowly, which can be beneficial for cats prone to eating too quickly.
  • Slow eating can help prevent digestive issues like vomiting and bloating, especially in cats that eat dry food rapidly.
  • Lick mats can also help to reduce whisker stress by eliminating the need to push against the sides of a bowl.