Lick Mats for Dogs and Cats: How to Use Them Safely

A lick mat is a rubbery pad with ridges or small wells that you smear with something soft, so a pet has to lick slowly instead of swallowing a meal in seconds. The mat itself is the cheap part. What deserves your attention is the spread on top of it, because a few popular choices are unsafe, and one of them hides in a jar many households already own.

What can you put on a lick mat?

Start from your pet's normal food rather than from the pantry. A spoonful of the wet food your dog or cat already eats, thinned or mashed so it spreads, is the cheapest option and adds nothing new to the diet. If you use treats, count them as part of the day's food so the mat does not turn into extra calories.

If you want to use something from your own kitchen, check it against the lists below before it touches the mat.

Foods to avoid on a lick mat

The ASPCA's list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets names these as unsafe:

• Xylitol, a sweetener found in gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions, garlic and chives
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Milk and dairy, since pets do not have much lactase and dairy can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset

The ASPCA also cautions against fatty nuts, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis, and against excessively salty foods. That rules out salty spreads and many flavored pastes.

The FDA lists other products that may contain xylitol, including sugar-free gum and mints, baked goods, some medicines and supplements, chewable vitamins, mouthwash and toothpaste. Keep those off the mat and out of reach.

A budget-minded way to choose a spread

Because I cannot quote current prices, here is a simple way to compare options without them:

1. Look at what you already buy. Your pet's wet food is the first choice.
2. Read the label of anything you add. An ingredient list that is short and recognizable is easier to check than a long one.
3. Use a thin layer. A thin smear lasts longer than a thick scoop, so a small amount stretches over many sessions.

Can you use a lick mat for cats?

Yes, and the same logic applies. The ASPCA list notes that onions, garlic and chives affect cats more strongly, and that dairy upsets many pets. A small spread of your cat's regular wet food on the mat is the simplest approach. For more ideas on cat feeding games, see our guide to food puzzles for cats.

How do you clean a lick mat?

The sources I could check do not give cleaning instructions, so this is general guidance, not a claim from a test or study. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your mat first, since materials differ.

• Rinse the mat soon after use, before the food dries into the grooves.
• Wash with warm water and dish soap, and use a soft brush to reach the ridges.
• Rinse thoroughly so no soap remains, then let it dry completely before storing.
• Throw it away if it cracks, tears or has pieces that could come loose.

Dried-on spread is the hardest to remove, so cleaning right away saves effort.

Supervise, and keep it simple

A mat is meant to slow your pet down, so stay nearby the first few times to see how they handle it. Take it away if they start chewing it instead of licking it. Our guide to DIY snuffle mat alternatives covers other low-cost options if a mat does not suit your pet.

Frequently asked questions

What can I put on a lick mat?

A thin layer of your pet's regular wet food is the simplest choice. Avoid anything on the ASPCA's unsafe list, and read nut butter labels for xylitol, as the FDA advises.

How do I clean it?

Rinse it right after use, wash it with warm water and dish soap, and let it dry completely. Check the manufacturer's directions for your specific mat, since materials differ.

Is peanut butter safe?

Some peanut and nut butters contain xylitol, according to the FDA, so read the ingredient list before using one. If xylitol is listed, do not use it.

Sources

• People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA
• Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs — U.S. Food and Drug Administration