I’ve been obsessed with food-based dog enrichment activities lately! So between Thanksgiving being right around the corner and Fall foods being on display in every market – I felt I had to develop a Fall-inspired lickimat recipe. I also have a big Dogs-giving celebration each year, and I thought turning that event into an enrichment activity would be perfect.

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This lickimat recipe is so easy, but you might be asking yourself, what’s a lickimat?

Lickimat is a brand of lick mat enrichment activities for dogs and cats. However, there are lots of great lick mats on the market. A lickimat is a food-grade rubber mat with various textures and patterns.

The textured surface allows you to spread dog-safe foods to encourage licking. The mats are excellent because they make portion control very easy – a little bit of food goes a long way and can encourage licking for an extended period.

Another enrichment toy that both myself and my dogs love, is the Toppl from West Paw. You can check out my Toppl suggestions here. I love both Lickmats and Toppl’s because they’re great for squishy face breeds, like French Bulldogs.

*Always consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet. Monitor your dog during all enrichment activities.

Creating a lickimat recipe for your dog can help calm stressful times during Thanksgiving and other holiday family get-togethers

Endorphins are released as your dog licks, which means the lickimat is continually working to soothe and calm your dog. In addition, giving your dog a lickimat during a family event can help to distract your dog and help with anxiety. Finally, you can freeze your lickimat before giving it to your dog or give it to them fresh.

Thanksgiving foods that are safe to share with your dogs

My vet would probably say not to feed my dog any Thanksgiving foods, and I generally agree with her. However, food items like turkey meat, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, peas, green beans, and brussel sprouts can usually be considered safe for your dog. Check out the ASPCA’s list of dog-safe fruits and veggies here.

HOWEVER, I know I love cooking things in garlic, with onions, using sauces, etc. which makes all of that safe food for dogs no longer safe for consumption. In addition, bones and fatty foods can also be unsafe for dogs – even life-threatening by causing pancreatitis or blockages.

I am not saying this to deter you from creating a fantastic Dogsgiving meal for your pup – believe me, my dogs have enjoyed a sliver of cooked turkey from my pate before. However, you can avoid any issues by pulling out your chosen dog-safe fruits or veggies before preparing your meal.

You can quickly steam dog-safe veggies in the microwave with no additives. I used the 99% Turkey & Duck Protein Booster from Honest Kitchen, but you can easily sauté plain ground turkey as well.

What I used for this Fall Inspired Lickimat Recipe

Turkey & Duck Protein Booster from Honest Kitchen (You can prepare unseasoned ground chicken or Turkey as well.)
Steamed Butternut Squash ( Sub out unseasoned mashed sweet potato or pumpkin.)
Unseasoned and mashed green peas
A few banana slices for dessert (You can also give a small spread of peanut butter or plain Greek yogurt.)
I also mixed a tablespoon of Honest Kitchen Turkey Bone Broth into my mashed peas and squash for extra flavor and health benefits.