What to Put on a Lick Mat: Spreads, Freezing and Cleaning for Dogs and Cats

What to put on a lick mat comes down to one rule: a thin layer of soft, pet-safe food pressed down into the grooves. For dogs, plain yogurt, xylitol-free peanut butter, plain pumpkin purée, mashed banana and wet food all work, and most cats do well with smooth wet cat food. Freeze the loaded mat for a longer session, and rinse it as soon as your pet is done.

The short answer: a thin layer, filled grooves and the freezer for longer sessions

A lick mat works because the food sits below the ridges, so your pet has to lick steadily to reach it. A heaped spoonful on top is gone in a minute.

• One or two spoonfuls is plenty for most dogs; use less for a cat or small dog.
• Choose plain, unsweetened, unseasoned foods.
• Freeze it for a slower session.
• Stay nearby, then rinse the mat straight after.

What to put on a lick mat: everyday spreads for dogs

Most lick mat ideas for dogs use foods already in your kitchen. Read labels, keep portions small and introduce one new food at a time.

• Plain yogurt: unsweetened and unflavored. It spreads easily and freezes well.
• Peanut butter without xylitol: check every new jar, since xylitol can also be listed as “birch sugar”. It is rich, so use a thin smear.
• Plain pumpkin purée: 100% pumpkin, not pie filling, which contains sugar and spices.
• Mashed ripe banana: easy to spread but sweet, so keep it small.
• Your dog’s usual wet food: the simplest choice, taken from the day’s normal meal.
• Softened kibble: soak a few pieces in warm water and mash into a paste.

What to leave off the mat

• Anything with xylitol, including some peanut butters, sugar-free yogurts and baked goods
• Sweetened, flavored or spiced foods, such as vanilla yogurt or pie filling
• Chocolate, grapes and raisins
• Onion and garlic, including the powders often found in broths, gravies and baby food
• Salty or seasoned leftovers from your plate

This list covers common risks but is not complete. If you are not sure a food is safe for your pet, ask your veterinarian before offering it.

Lick mat food still counts toward your pet’s daily intake, so trim the next meal if needed. If your pet is on a special diet or has food sensitivities, check with your veterinarian first.

What to put on a lick mat for cats

Cats are meat eaters and often fussier than dogs. Smooth pâté-style wet cat food is the easiest start, and chunks in gravy can be mashed with a fork. Lickable cat snacks also work, as does plain, boneless cooked chicken or fish blended with a little water and no seasoning.

Skip peanut butter and banana, which do not fit a cat’s meat-based diet. Start with a small amount at room temperature, since many cats ignore cold food. For more everyday supplies, see our cat essentials collection.

Loading the mat so it lasts

1. Start with a soft base such as wet food or pumpkin, loosened with a teaspoon of water if stiff.
2. Spread it with the back of a spoon or a small spatula, pressing it into the grooves so most of the food sits below the ridges.
3. Add a second texture, like dots of yogurt or a few pieces of kibble pressed in for a dog, or a little lickable cat snack for a cat.
4. Serve it right away, or freeze it.

For the first few sessions, leave a little extra on top so your pet learns what the mat is for.

Freezing a lick mat: how long it takes

How long to freeze a lick mat depends on the layer. A thin spread usually firms up in a couple of hours, and overnight gives a solid set that takes longest to lick clean. Lay the mat flat on a tray so it freezes evenly.

If it comes out rock-hard, let it sit a few minutes before serving. Yogurt, pumpkin and wet food freeze well, while peanut butter stays slightly soft, so use it as an accent. Keeping a second mat loaded in the freezer means one is always ready. Move to frozen mats once your pet is used to unfrozen ones.

Mat, 3-in-1 or deep bowl: which to use when

A flat mat suits spreads, while a deeper bowl holds a thicker frozen mix or a full meal. All three options below are in our feeding and enrichment collection and are dishwasher safe.

SodaPup Jigsaw mat for dogs and cats

The SodaPup Jigsaw Enrichment Lick Mat has a jigsaw texture that holds soft food and slows licking. It is made in the USA by SodaPup from durable, food-safe materials, suits dogs of all sizes and cats, and comes in green or pink. It makes a sensible first mat for a home with both a dog and a cat.

Spunky Pup 3-in-1 lick pad and slow feeder

The Spunky Pup 3-in-1 Lick Pad, Slow Feeder & Elevated Bowl is one piece of food-grade silicone: a lick pad for peanut butter, yogurt or wet food, a slow feeder for meals, and an elevated bowl that a taller dog may find more comfortable. Choose it if you want one piece for licking and meals.

SodaPup Honeycomb eBowl for a frozen mix

The SodaPup Honeycomb Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is a deep bowl with honeycomb ridges that spread food out, so each mouthful takes more work. Its depth suits kibble, wet food or a frozen mix. It is made in the USA by SodaPup and suits most dogs. If you have concerns about how fast your dog eats, ask your veterinarian.

The cards below also include the nail grinder covered in the next section.

A lick mat during baths, brushing and nail trims

A lick mat for nail trims, baths and brushing gives your pet something steady to focus on while you work. Load it first with a spread that holds up, such as xylitol-free peanut butter for a dog, smooth wet food for a cat, or a frozen layer, and have a helper hold it at nose level or set it on a flat, stable surface.

For brushing, keep sessions short. Our guide to choosing between a slicker brush and a deshedding tool explains which brush suits which coat.

For nails, the Quiet Rechargeable Pet Nail Grinder has two speeds, USB charging and a guard sized for dogs, cats and small pets. Let your pet sniff it and hear it running first, then do one or two nails at a time with a licking break in between.

Touch each nail for only a second or two so it does not get warm, keep long fur clear of the spinning head, and take off just the tip to stay well short of the quick, the sensitive center of the nail. If you are unsure how short to go, or your pet is very fearful of handling, ask your veterinarian or a professional groomer to show you. More tools are in our grooming collection.

How to clean a lick mat

1. Rinse it under warm water as soon as your pet is done, before food dries in the grooves.
2. Scrub the grooves with dish soap and a small brush, or use the dishwasher if the maker says the mat is dishwasher safe, as all three options above are.
3. Let it dry completely before you stack it or load it again.
4. Check for cracks, tears, chewed edges or loose pieces, and replace it once it shows wear.

Supervision: take the mat away if your pet starts chewing it

Lick mats are made for licking, not chewing. Stay nearby, and if your dog gnaws the edges or tries to carry the mat off, pick it up and offer something designed for chewing.

Supervise pets with any toy or chew, since no toy is indestructible. If your dog shreds things, see our guide to toys for dogs who destroy toys or browse our toys and play collection.

Questions about lick mats

Can I put peanut butter on a lick mat?

Yes, if the label shows no xylitol (also listed as birch sugar). Use a thin layer and count it toward your dog’s daily food.

What can I put on a lick mat for a cat?

Smooth wet cat food is the easiest choice. Lickable cat snacks or plain, unseasoned, boneless cooked chicken or fish blended with a little water also work, served at room temperature.

How long should you freeze a lick mat?

A couple of hours for a thin layer, or overnight for a fully frozen set that lasts longer.

How do you clean a lick mat?

Rinse it right after use, scrub the grooves with warm soapy water or use the dishwasher if the mat is dishwasher safe, then let it dry fully.

Is it OK to leave a dog alone with a lick mat?

It is safer not to. Stay nearby and remove the mat if your dog starts chewing it. If you think your dog has swallowed a piece, call your veterinarian.

Whatever goes on it has to come off again. How to clean a lick mat covers the soak and the brushing that clear food out of the grooves.