What Are Lick Mats?
Lick mats are treat-dispensing toys designed specifically for dogs. They are made of textured, porous materials like silicone or rubber that can be smeared with peanut butter, wet food, or other treats. As the name suggests, dogs have to lick the mat repeatedly to get all the treats out of the grooves and textures.
The grooves and patterns are designed to make dogs work for their treats for an extended period, keeping them mentally stimulated and occupied. Licking helps soothe dogs and gives them an appropriate chewing outlet. Lick mats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs to suit dogs of all breeds and sizes.
According to DogLab, lick mats first became popular with dog owners who wanted to slow down fast eaters or provide enrichment for dogs home alone. They have since become common treat-dispensing toys used for behavioral modification, mental stimulation, and stress relief.
Benefits of Lick Mats
Lick mats provide several benefits for dogs. First, lick mats provide valuable mental stimulation for dogs. As dogs lick and nibble at the food or treats in the mat, they are engaging their minds and problem-solving skills. The act of licking itself has also been found to have a calming effect on dogs. According to The Daily Paws, “The act of licking is calming for dogs, plus it can keep them busy while you’re on a Zoom call or need to distract your dog for several minutes” (Source).
Lick mats can also help slow down fast eaters. By spreading food or treats in the grooves of the mat, dogs are forced to take their time licking up the food bit by bit. This prevents problems caused by dogs eating too quickly like bloating or vomiting.
Finally, lick mats are a great way to occupy dogs for periods of time when exercise may be limited. As noted by The Pet Retreat, “They create mental stimulation for dogs if their exercise is limited or if physical exercise doesn’t always tire them out” (Source). The act of licking and interacting with the mat keeps dogs engaged and focused for longer.
Ingredients Often Used in Lick Mats
Lick mats allow you to get creative with different ingredients to keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated. Some of the most popular ingredients for lick mat recipes include:
Peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free) – A longtime favorite of dogs, peanut butter is a versatile ingredient that adheres nicely to the lick mat texture. Stick with all-natural peanut butter without extra sugar.
Greek yogurt or plain yogurt – Yogurt provides protein and probiotics. Greek yogurt tends to be thicker and stick better to the mat. Be sure to only choose yogurts without added sweeteners.
Pureed fruits and vegetables – Dogs love the sweetness of ripe bananas, applesauce, pumpkin puree, and mashed sweet potatoes. You can also puree their favorite veggies like carrots.
Baby food – Look for organic vegetable and fruit purees with few or no added ingredients.
Coconut oil – This healthy oil adds flavor and replenishes the skin. Solid at room temperature, it liquefies on the mat as your dog licks.
Broth or stock – Soak the mat in or top it with no-salt chicken, beef or vegetable broth for a savory treat.
Semifirm cheese – Try grating and spreading semisoft cheeses like cheddar, cottage cheese, cream cheese or goat cheese. Check for lactose if your dog is sensitive.
Do Lick Mats Need to Be Refrigerated or Frozen?
Freezing lick mats is not required, but it can make the treat last longer for your dog. Lick mats are made of silicone or rubber and can be used at room temperature with soft treats like peanut butter, yogurt, or canned food. Freezing creates a chilled surface that turns semi-solid treats into a frozen popsicle snack.
According to Tips and Tricks for using the LickiMat for your Dog, freezing lick mats can make it easier to store multiple mats stacked together to pull out as needed. The chilled surface also slows down how quickly your dog licks up the treat.
While not mandatory, freezing can make lick mats more interactive and engaging. It extends treat time and prevents your dog from gobbling everything up too quickly. Just make sure treats are dog safe if frozen.
Pros of Freezing Lick Mats
One of the biggest benefits of freezing lick mats before giving them to your dog is that it keeps the treats and food cold, which motivates your dog to lick slowly. The cold temperature provides a soothing effect for dogs as they lick, helping to prolong the activity.
Freezing a lick mat extends the time your dog will spend licking and engaged with their enrichment toy. It prevents them from quickly gobbling up all the contents. As the food thaws during licking, it releases the flavors and aromas to keep your dog interested for longer.
According to experts, freezing a lick mat can provide up to 30 minutes of enrichment activity for your dog as they work to get every last morsel (Source). The frozen format challenges your dog’s mind and body much more than serving the same ingredients at room temperature. This gives excellent mental stimulation.
Overall, freezing lick mats before use can extend activity time significantly. Your dog will be encouraged to lick slowly with the cool temperature, making the treat last longer and providing the maximum enrichment benefit.
Cons of Freezing Lick Mats
While freezing lick mats can have some benefits, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of:
Freezing can make some treats like peanut butter too hard and difficult for a dog to lick off the mat (https://pupford.com/lick-mat-guide/). Hard frozen treats could potentially damage a dog’s teeth and gums. It’s best to avoid freezing anything too tough or icy.
There is also a risk of freezing a dog’s tongue if they lick an extremely cold frozen lick mat (https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/lick-mats-for-dogs). Most dogs will likely avoid hurting their tongue on a frozen surface, but it’s still important to monitor their use.
In general, it’s a good idea to freeze lick mats moderately rather than rock solid. Test the firmness after freezing and adjust the freeze time if needed. And as always, supervise your dog any time they are using a lick mat.
Best Practices for Freezing
When freezing lick mats, it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your dog:
Don’t overfill the mat. Only fill it about halfway or less. If you fill it all the way, the frozen contents can create an uneven surface that may pose a choking hazard.
Monitor your dog’s use. Supervise them while licking and limit access to 10-15 minutes to avoid overconsumption. Take the mat away if they start aggressively biting or chewing it.
Gradually transition to room temperature. Let the mat sit out for 5-10 minutes before giving it to your dog so the contents start softening. This prevents tooth damage from hard frozen foods.
Check for signs of distress. Make sure your dog is licking and not biting the mat. Discontinue use if they seem distressed or obsessive.
Clean between uses. Wash the mat thoroughly since bacteria can accumulate over time, especially if freezing and thawing repeatedly.
Room Temperature Alternatives
If you don’t want to freeze your lick mat, there are still plenty of room temperature options to keep your dog occupied. Some good ideas for thicker treats that work well at room temperature include:
- Pumpkin puree – loaded with fiber and low calorie (cite: https://sprockerlovers.com/blog/lickimat-toppings)
- Mashed bananas – high in potassium and vitamin B6 (cite: https://pupford.com/lick-mat-guide/)
- Natural unsweetened applesauce – provides vitamin C and antioxidants
- Plain Greek yogurt – high in protein, calcium, and probiotics
The key is to use ingredients that have some thickness at room temperature so they adhere to the mat and provide more licking time for your dog. This gives them mental stimulation without needing to freeze the mat first. Just avoid giving large amounts of high-sugar fruits like mangos or using sweeteners.
Other Safety Tips
When using lick mats, it’s important to keep some general safety tips in mind:
Supervise your dog while they use the lick mat. Don’t leave them unsupervised, as excess chewing or ingestion of pieces could present a choking hazard. Keep an eye on them to make sure they are licking and not destroying the mat.
Introduce lick mats slowly at first to make sure your dog takes to it positively. Some dogs may try to destroy and ingest the mat if not properly introduced through positive reinforcement training.
Sanitize lick mats regularly by washing with soap and hot water or putting them through the dishwasher. Bacteria from your dog’s mouth can build up over time.
Follow any specific safety guidelines provided by the lick mat manufacturer, as materials and construction can vary across brands.
Inspect for damage after uses and throw away if any pieces start to peel or deteriorate. Only use lick mats that are in good condition.
Avoid letting your dog have unlimited access to lick mats. Use them for positive reinforcement and enrichment, but don’t rely on them for treating behavior problems or calming anxiety.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to freezing lick mats, it’s not strictly necessary but can provide some benefits. Freezing can help keep foods cold and make the experience last longer for your dog. However, room temperature options also work well. The most important things are using dog-safe ingredients, monitoring your dog during use, and cleaning the mat properly after each use.
Ultimately, freezing lick mats comes down to your own preferences and your dog’s needs. Try out room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen options to see which your furry friend enjoys the most. As long as you follow general safety tips, your dog can have a fun and stimulating experience with lick mats at any temperature.