If you’ve got a curious cat or dog (and a kitchen full of treats and empty toilet paper rolls), you’re on your way to becoming a pet enrichment expert. Enter the lick mat: a textured silicone surface designed to spread soft foods and slow down your pet's eating.
But this simple mat does more than just stretch out snack time — it transforms mealtime into a full-on enrichment experience. Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned enrichment enthusiast, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to unlock the full potential of the lick mat.
What is a lick mat
A lick mat is a flat, textured-surface product designed for pets to lick. Think of it as a food puzzle for soft foods and treats.
It's especially great for pets who eat too quickly, get bored easily, or need a bit of extra environmental enrichment in their day. Both cats and dogs can benefit from the mental and physical stimulation a lick mat provides.
Dog and cat enrichment benefits of lick mats
Lick mats aren’t just for dogs. Cats benefit just as much from the mental stimulation and natural licking behavior. Enrichment helps release endorphins in your pet’s brain, and has real benefits like:
- Promoting calmness
- Reducing stress
- Providing a simple way to encourage focused play
Dog and cat enrichment is all about improving your pet's sensory experience to satisfy their physical and mental needs. Lick mats are a simple way to add enrichment to your pet's life, as they help fulfill your pet's natural instincts to search, lick, and play.
Environmental enrichment
Lick mats contribute to environmental enrichment by transforming your dog or cat's environment into a stimulating space. Placing a lick mat in different places helps keep their environment fresh and engaging.
You can create tiny enrichment stations around your house — under a chair, near a window, or tucked in a box. These changes keep your pet’s environment dynamic and full of surprises.
For dogs especially, a new location for their lick mat can mimic the excitement of foraging outdoors. Pair it with a walk or new scent to deepen the experience.
Sensory enrichment
Lick mats deliver big on sensory enrichment by engaging your pet’s sense of taste, smell, and touch. The unique textures and grooves encourage your cat or dog to explore with their tongue and paws.
They also satisfy your pet’s need to lick, smell, and interact with their environment. For pets with anxiety or excess energy, this kind of sensory engagement can be incredibly calming.
Many pets benefit from the strong scents of peanut butter, tuna, or broth. These smells can spark curiosity and help ease stress through focused licking.
Food enrichment
Lick mats shine as a food enrichment tool. They slow down fast eaters and encourage pets to savor each bite.
Spreading wet food or purees over the mat helps your pet work a little harder to eat, turning treat time into a satisfying challenge. The varied textures and smells heighten the experience, making meals more interesting and enjoyable.
Savor is a squeezable cat treat perfect for adding to a lick mat for your cat to enjoy. Simply squeeze the contents of the tube onto the lick mat and let your cat enjoy!
Dogs that inhale their food can learn to pace themselves by using a lick mat. This can support digestion and reduce the risk of bloating or choking during mealtime.
Cognitive enrichment
Cognitive enrichment is all about engaging your pet’s brain. Lick mats offer problem-solving fun that’s mentally stimulating.
As your pet figures out how to lick every last bit of food from the mat’s grooves, they’re sharpening their focus and working through a calm, rewarding challenge. This is especially great for bored pets or those needing calming activities to stay balanced.
Lick mats can also be incorporated into basic training sessions for pets. Use them as a reward for completing commands or practicing calm behaviors.
How to use a lick mat
There are many ways pet parents can use lick mats. Get creative! Lick mats work well with a variety of spreadable foods, like:
- Wet food
- A mixture of water and your cat's kibble
- Squeezable cat treats
- Smashed fruit
- Mashed sardines and sweet potato
- Pureed pumpkin
- Caned tuna
- Plain Greek yogurt (no sugar or xylitol)
VET TIP
Always consult your veterinarian if you're unsure about what food to use. Keep portions small, as lick mats are meant for added enrichment, not a full meal replacement.
To keep things fun and exciting for your pet, try freezing the lick mat after filling. Choose different places around your home to make the lick mat feel novel.
Put it on the floor in your pet’s favorite room or safe place, next to a blanket, or near a window for wildlife entertainment. Feline friends especially enjoy closely watching birds through windows.
Use the lick mat after physical exercise to help your dog wind down. This helps pair physical and mental activity for a more balanced enrichment routine.
Cleaning your lick mat
Good news: most lick mats are dishwasher safe, but be sure to check the packaging. You can also wash by hand with warm, soapy water.
Clean after each use and supervise at first to make sure your pet doesn’t chew on the mat itself. Be sure to remove all food remnants to avoid attracting bugs or bacteria.
Avoid using harsh cleaning agents, especially if your pet is sensitive to smells. A thorough rinse will help prevent leftover soap from affecting the next treat.
Incorporating lick mats into your pet's routine
A lick mat can be a daily tool for your enrichment routine. Use it before leaving the house to prevent boredom, as a fun way to feed part of your pet's kibble, or at bedtime to signal wind-down time. You can also use it during stressful moments like thunderstorms and fireworks shows to keep your pet calm.
Using a lick mat is an easy way to create structure and give your furry companion something to look forward to. Remember, a little routine goes a long way.
The lick mat can become a positive association tool. Use it during grooming, nail trims, or baths to encourage calm, cooperative behavior.
Other enrichment tools: cardboard boxes, food puzzles and more
A lick mat is just one part of the puzzle. Combine it with other enrichment ideas to keep your pet's life dynamic and exciting, like:
- Cardboard boxes with holes cut into the sides
- DIY toys made from toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes
- Ping pong balls in a bathtub for chase games
- A laser pointer for interactive play
- Food puzzles to challenge their problem-solving skills
- Clicker training for tricks and obedience
A rotation of enrichment activities keeps your pet engaged and reduces the risk of boredom. Don’t be afraid to switch things up every few days.
Enticing your picky pet
Every pet is different, and some need more time than others to discover and learn new objects. Here’s what you can try to entice your pet:
- Add their favorite treat to the lick mat
- Place the mat near your pet’s favorite toys or furniture
- Sprinkle a bit of catnip (or dog-safe flavor enhancers)
- Sit nearby to encourage exploration
- Try warming up the food slightly to release more aroma
They may need a few tries, but most pets eventually catch on (and love it)! Patience is key.
Using a lick mat is about more than just having fun — it’s a tool to create a more fulfilling life for your pet. It taps into their instincts, satisfies their need for mental exercise, and turns everyday moments into play.
The world of pet enrichment is full of surprises, and your lick mat is just the start. Whether your furry friend has paws or claws, a lick mat can add value to their day.