15 Things to Put on a Lick Mat for Dogs

Got a lick mat and no idea what to smear on it? You are not alone — it is the most common question we hear after "what even is a lick mat?" (Short answer: a textured silicone pad that turns a spoonful of something tasty into 15 minutes of happy licking. Here is our full buying guide if you are still shopping for one.)

The golden rules before we start: everything below should be xylitol-free (xylitol, also labeled birch sugar, is extremely toxic to dogs — always check peanut butter labels), served in moderation (a lick mat is a treat, not a meal), and skipped if your dog has a health condition your vet is managing. With that covered, here are 15 ideas ranging from dead-simple classics to freezer-level challenges.

The Classics (easy, always in the fridge)

1. Peanut butter (xylitol-free, always)

The undisputed champion of lick mat toppings. Use a thin smear of plain peanut butter — creamy works better than chunky for getting into the grooves. Check the ingredient label every time you buy a new jar: xylitol shows up in some "low sugar" and "natural" peanut butters.

2. Plain yogurt

Unsweetened, unflavored yogurt — Greek or regular — is a cooling, lickable favorite. Avoid anything with added sweeteners, and skip flavored yogurts. A thin layer is plenty.

3. Pumpkin puree

Plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, which has spices and sugar) is a lick mat staple. Dogs love the taste, and it freezes beautifully for longer sessions.

4. Mashed banana

Half a mashed banana spread thin is sweet, sticky, and keeps a dog busy. Bananas are sugary for dogs, so keep it to an occasional topping rather than a daily one.

5. Wet dog food

The simplest option of all: whatever wet food your dog already eats, smeared across the mat. It is nutritionally balanced for them, and the texture makes it last far longer than it would in a bowl.

Frozen Favorites (for maximum lick time)

Freezing is the cheat code. A frozen lick mat can easily triple the session length — perfect for bath time, crate training, or hot afternoons.

6. Frozen peanut butter and banana

Smear peanut butter, add thin banana slices on top, freeze for 1–2 hours. The combination of textures keeps dogs working at it.

7. Frozen yogurt with blueberries

Spread plain yogurt, press a few fresh or thawed blueberries into it, and freeze. The berries add little bursts of flavor and turn the whole thing into a foraging puzzle.

8. Frozen low-sodium bone broth

Pour a thin layer of low-sodium bone broth over the mat (check the label: no onion, no garlic) and freeze it flat. It melts into a savory, icy challenge. You can also freeze broth in the grooves first, then add a peanut butter layer on top for a two-stage mat.

9. Frozen pumpkin and yogurt swirl

Half pumpkin puree, half plain yogurt, swirled together with a spoon and frozen. Simple, pretty, and dogs go nuts for it.

Savory and Protein-Packed

10. Plain cooked sweet potato, mashed

Bake or microwave a sweet potato, mash it plain (no butter, no marshmallows, no spices), and spread. Naturally sweet and soft enough to work into every groove.

11. Unsweetened applesauce

Plain applesauce with no added sugar makes a light, lickable layer. Check the label — "no sugar added" is what you want, and skip anything with xylitol.

12. Cottage cheese (small amounts)

A thin smear of plain, low-fat cottage cheese is a protein-rich change of pace. Some dogs are sensitive to dairy, so start with a tiny amount the first time and see how it goes.

Fancy Combos (for the adventurous)

13. Peanut butter + banana + treat crumble

Peanut butter base, banana slices, and a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried treats on top — like our Pure Protein freeze-dried treats crumbled over. Texture variety keeps clever dogs engaged to the last groove.

14. Yogurt + pumpkin + blueberry "parfait"

Layer them: yogurt first, a stripe of pumpkin puree, blueberries pressed in. Freeze it and you have got a triple-layer puzzle that can buy you a full bath time.

15. Wet food + broth freeze

Smear wet food as the base, pour a thin layer of low-sodium broth over the top, freeze flat. The frozen broth cap has to be licked through before the food layer is reachable — maximum duration, minimum effort on your part.

Foods to NEVER Put on a Lick Mat

This list matters more than the 15 above. Keep these far away from your dog's lick mat:

• Anything with xylitol (birch sugar) — extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Check every label.
• Chocolate — toxic to dogs in any form.
• Grapes and raisins — can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Onions and garlic — toxic, including the powdered forms hiding in broths and seasonings.
• Macadamia nuts — toxic to dogs.
• Alcohol — obviously, but it hides in some extracts and flavorings.
• Anything with added salt, spices, or artificial sweeteners — if you would not feed it plain, do not put it on the mat.

First-Timer Tips

• Start easy. For the first session, use something high-value and easy (peanut butter, unfrozen) so your dog learns the game is fun.
• Supervise every time. Lick mats are for licking, not chewing. If your dog tries to chew the mat itself, remove it.
• Freeze for duration. Unfrozen = 5–10 minutes. Frozen = 15–30 minutes. Plan accordingly.
• Clean promptly. Rinse right after use; old food in grooves gets funky fast. Most silicone mats are dishwasher safe.

New to lick mats entirely? Start with our Best Lick Mats for Dogs: 2026 Buying Guide — it covers what to look for, safety, and how to use one for calmer grooming and bath time. And if you need the mat itself, our Licky Moments Silicone Lick Mat ($12.99) has the deep texture, strong suction cups, and freezer-safe silicone this whole list assumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best thing to put on a lick mat for dogs? A: Xylitol-free peanut butter is the classic for a reason — sticky, tasty, and it works into the texture well. Plain yogurt, pumpkin puree, and mashed banana are close seconds. Freezing any of them makes the session last much longer.

Q: Can I put peanut butter on a lick mat every day? A: A thin smear daily is fine for most dogs, but peanut butter is calorie-dense — keep the layer thin and factor it into daily treat calories (around 10% of daily intake). Always verify the label is xylitol-free.

Q: How long does a frozen lick mat last? A: It depends on the spread and your dog's determination, but a well-loaded frozen mat typically keeps a dog busy for 15–30 minutes, versus 5–10 minutes unfrozen.

Q: Are lick mats safe for aggressive chewers? A: Lick mats are designed for licking, not chewing. For power chewers, use only under close supervision and remove the mat the moment chewing starts — torn silicone pieces are a swallowing hazard.