A lick mat turns a spoonful of something tasty into ten or more minutes of focused, happy licking. Freeze it and that time stretches even further. It's great for bath time, nail trims, noisy evenings or a hot afternoon. Here are ten easy fillings using things you probably already have in the kitchen.
Safety first: read this before you start
- Check peanut butter for xylitol. Xylitol (sometimes listed as "birch sugar") is extremely toxic to dogs. Use plain, unsalted peanut butter with no sweeteners.
- Never use: grapes or raisins, chocolate, onion, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, artificial sweeteners, or anything heavily salted or spiced.
- Use plain versions. Plain unsweetened yogurt, plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), unseasoned meat.
- It's a treat, so portion it. A common guideline is to keep treats to around 10% of your pet's daily calories. Spread thinly; the grooves do the work of making it last.
- Allergies or special diets? Check with your vet before trying new foods.
- Supervise, and put the mat away once it's licked clean so it doesn't become a chew toy.
How to freeze a lick mat
- Spread the filling thinly, pressing it into the grooves and textures.
- Lay the mat flat on a plate or tray so it keeps its shape.
- Freeze for 2–4 hours (or overnight for the longest-lasting version).
- New to lick mats? Start with an unfrozen mat so your pet learns the game, then move on to frozen.
10 easy fillings for dogs
1. Peanut butter & banana
Mash a few slices of ripe banana with a teaspoon of xylitol-free peanut butter. A classic for good reason.
2. Pumpkin & yogurt swirl
Equal parts plain canned pumpkin and plain unsweetened yogurt, swirled together. Lovely colour, very popular.
3. Blueberry yogurt
Plain yogurt with a few mashed or halved blueberries pressed into the grooves. Freezes beautifully for summer.
4. Sweet potato mash
Plain cooked sweet potato, mashed smooth with a splash of water. No butter, salt or seasoning.
5. "Dinner on a mat"
Spread part of your dog's usual wet food across the mat and sprinkle a little of their kibble on top. It's a good way to slow down a fast eater without adding any extra treats.
6. Chicken & rice
Plain boiled chicken (no skin, bones or seasoning), finely shredded or blended with a spoonful of cooked rice and a little cooking water.
7. Apple & carrot
Finely grated apple (no core or seeds) and grated carrot, held together with a little plain yogurt or pumpkin.
8. Watermelon slush
Blend seedless watermelon (no rind) and freeze it. A hot-weather favourite; use the rimmed Suction Octagon style for runny fillings.
9. Cottage cheese & cucumber
A small spoonful of plain cottage cheese with finely diced cucumber. Keep dairy portions small, since some dogs don't tolerate it well.
10. Broth jelly
Mix your dog's wet food with a little low-sodium, onion- and garlic-free broth, spread it into the grooves and freeze for an icy, savoury treat.
Lick mat ideas for cats
Cats can enjoy lick mats too. Just keep it simple and meat-based:
- Their usual wet food: pâté-style spreads best.
- Plain cooked chicken or fish: boneless and unseasoned, blended with a little water.
- A tiny bit of plain pumpkin mixed into wet food.
Skip the dairy for most cats; many adult cats are lactose intolerant. And remember that onion, garlic and chives are toxic to cats as well as dogs.
Cleaning up
Rinse the mat as soon as your pet is done, before anything dries into the grooves, then wash it in warm soapy water with a soft brush and rinse well. Replace the mat if it gets chewed or damaged.
When to bring out the lick mat
- Bath time, brushing and nail trims
- Fireworks or thunderstorms
- When guests arrive or you're on a video call
- Hot days, as a cooling frozen treat
- Slowing down a dog who inhales dinner (see our guide to dogs who eat too fast)
Our Puzzle Lick Mat comes in two styles: interlocking Puzzle Squares, or a rimmed Suction Octagon that grips the floor or bathtub wall. It's made from food-safe, BPA-free TPR and is freezer-friendly.