The Sniff
Lick mat ideas.
Lick mat ideas.
Keep it simple.
A lick mat does not need to be complicated to be useful. Sometimes the easiest combinations are the ones you will actually use.
A simple spread can turn part of your dog's meal or a few everyday ingredients into a calmer, slower, more engaging moment. Use these ideas as inspiration, not rules. Rotate what works for your dog, keep portions sensible, and start simple.
Quick and easy
2-minute lick mat ideas
No prep needed. These come together from things you likely already have.
01
The Easy One
Plain yoghurt + mashed banana
02
Chicken & Pumpkin
Shredded cooked chicken + pumpkin purée
03
Berry Swirl
Plain yoghurt + mashed blueberries
04
Sweet Potato Spread
Mashed cooked sweet potato + a splash of warm water or broth
05
Sardine Smash
Sardines in springwater + pumpkin purée
06
Pantry Backup
Canned pumpkin + crushed freeze-dried treats
07
Tuna Quick Fix
Tuna in springwater + plain yoghurt
08
The "Nothing in the Fridge" Mat
Mashed banana. Still counts.
Make ahead
Freezer-friendly ideas
Prep a few at once and pull them from the freezer as needed. Useful for warmer days or when you want something that takes a little longer.
01
Peanut Butter Banana Freeze
Dog-safe peanut butter + banana + plain yoghurt
02
Bone Broth Freeze
Pumpkin purée + a small amount of unsalted bone broth
03
Watermelon Cooler
Seedless watermelon blended with plain yoghurt
04
Blueberry Freeze
Plain yoghurt + blueberries
05
Chicken Dinner Freeze
Shredded chicken + pumpkin + a little broth
06
Sweet Treat
Mashed sweet potato + banana
Worth the effort
Higher-value ideas
Good for new environments, alone time practice, or just when you want to make more of it.
01
Sunday Brunch
Scrambled egg + plain yoghurt + pumpkin
02
Salmon Soft Serve
Cooked salmon + sweet potato
03
Turkey Bowl
Cooked turkey mince + pumpkin purée
04
Lamb Lunch
Cooked lamb mince + mashed sweet potato
05
Roast Chicken Leftovers
Shredded roast chicken + steamed carrot + pumpkin
06
Puppy Party
Plain yoghurt + pumpkin + crushed freeze-dried treats pressed into the top
Lighter options
Fresh and light
Lower in calories, higher in variety. Good for rotating in alongside richer meals.
01
Apple Pie-ish
Unsweetened apple purée + plain yoghurt + a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon
02
Carrot Cake
Steamed carrot + plain yoghurt
03
Berry Nice
Plain yoghurt + raspberries + blueberries
04
Savoury Snack
Mashed boiled egg + pumpkin + a little parsley
05
Banana Split
Mashed banana + plain yoghurt + small strawberry pieces
Stock these
Useful bases
Keep a few of these on hand and most of the ideas above take under two minutes.
- Plain yoghurt or lactose-free yoghurt
- Pumpkin purée
- Mashed banana
- Mashed sweet potato
- Unsalted bone broth
- Sardines in springwater
- Tuna in springwater
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Cooked mince
- Soaked kibble
Small additions
Easy extras
Use small amounts for texture or interest.
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Crushed dog treats
- Freeze-dried treats
- Parsley
- Tiny pieces of cooked egg
- A small smear of dog-safe peanut butter
Simple moments
A few simple ways to use your lick mat
Slow down part of a meal
Add variety to everyday feeding
Offer a calmer activity during a busy moment
Make crate time or alone time feel more positive
Give your dog something engaging without needing a big setup
A reminder
Keep it simple
You do not need a complicated recipe every time. A lick mat can be as simple as plain yoghurt, pumpkin, or soaked kibble spread thinly across the surface.
The value is often in the activity itself, not in how fancy you make it.
Rotate what works.
Start simple.
Watch your dog.
A quick note
What to avoid
Use ingredients your dog already tolerates well. Introduce new foods slowly, especially with puppies or sensitive stomachs. Always avoid:
- Xylitol (found in some peanut butters and sweeteners)
- Onion and garlic
- Grapes and raisins
- Chocolate
- Heavily salted or seasoned food
These notes are general guidance only. If in doubt, check with your vet before introducing new foods.
The Feeding Edit
The lick mat.
The lick mat.
Food-grade silicone.
The Feeding Edit — silicone lick mat and slow feeder bowl, $55 AUD, shipping included. Or get all four products in the Foundational Edit for $109.
Shop the Feeding Edit