Dog Lick Mat - Silicone Slow Feeder with Suction Base, 3 Colours

Spread something soft across the grooves, press the base to the floor or the side of the bath, and a dog who would have finished a bowl in twenty seconds is occupied for ten or fifteen minutes instead.

The licking itself is the point. It is a settling behaviour, which is why lick mats get used as much for anxious dogs as for greedy ones.

What you get

• Textured silicone surface that holds soft food in the grooves
• Suction base that grips tile, glass and smooth floors
• Flexible silicone — bends to release stuck-on food
• Dishwasher safe
• Three colours: orange, blue and purple

What to put on it

Anything soft enough to spread and safe for dogs: wet food, plain natural yoghurt, mashed banana, or a little peanut butter. Check the peanut butter label for xylitol first — it is used as a sweetener in some brands and is toxic to dogs.

Freeze it for a longer session. A frozen mat easily doubles the time it takes, which is useful before you go out.

Where the suction works

Tile, glass, sealed wood and the side of a bath. It will not hold on carpet, rugs or textured vinyl. Wipe both the base and the surface before pressing it down — dust is the usual reason a suction cup lets go.

When it earns its keep

Bath time, nail trims, thunderstorms and fireworks, and the twenty minutes after you leave the house. It gives a dog something absorbing to do at exactly the moments they would otherwise be pacing.

Care

Rinse straight after use — dried-on food is far harder to get out of the grooves than fresh. Dishwasher safe on the top rack.

Free UK delivery. 14-day returns.