This new toy helps to battle pet anxiety
A Gold Coast couple has invented a $9 pet toy that has taken the world by storm.
The brainchild of Queenslanders Joe and Hazel Clarke, the LickiMat is designed to help animals deal with anxiety, one lick at a time.
Pets often get anxiety when they are left at home alone, and it can lead to undesirable behaviours such as non-stop barking and chewing excessively.
The LickiMat works by keeping pets’ minds occupied while they lick the mat for hidden pieces of food. The mat features multiple grooves and indentations.
“Because of the different shapes and patterns, the stuff gets in the corners, it can take the dog from 20 to 90 minutes to clean it,” Mr Clarke, told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The LickiMat’s popularity has spread across the world, (unofficially) earning the royal stamp of approval.
“The Duke of York uses the LickiMats for his dogs. We met him when he was here at Bond University. He said the royal family loves our products, but they can’t endorse it as such,” Mr Clarke said.
The anti-anxiety tool has also been successful on social media.
“LickiMat was a success! Mom had a solid half hour of peace while I licked and then played with the mat,” said one pet owner.
The LickiMat can be purchased from Pets of Australia for $8.99.
