Lick mat

A lick mat is a rubber or silicone mat with raised ridges or suction cups that a soft food, like plain yogurt or a thin spread, gets pushed into so the pet has to lick it out slowly rather than swallow it in one gulp. The repetitive licking motion has a soothing effect on many dogs and cats, similar to how chewing calms a stressed dog, and it can slow down a pet that normally eats too fast.

Lick mats are commonly used around stressful moments in apartment life, such as nail trims, vet visits, being left alone, or a loud thunderstorm outside, because they give the pet something absorbing to focus on instead of the trigger. Freezing a filled mat also stretches the activity out longer, which is useful for covering a short absence like a grocery run.

When choosing one, check that the material is food-safe silicone and that it has a suction base or non-slip backing so it does not slide across a hard floor while the pet is working on it. Avoid rich or high-fat spreads on a regular basis, since a lick mat is meant as an enrichment tool, not a meal replacement, and overuse of fatty spreads can cause stomach upset.