Quick Answer: The best fillings are xylitol-free peanut butter, plain Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, wet dog food, cream cheese, and mashed banana. Always check that nothing contains xylitol — it's toxic to dogs. Freeze any filling overnight for sessions that last 20-30 minutes instead of 5-10.
The Best Lick Mat Fillings
- Xylitol-free peanut butter — the classic. Sticks well to texture zones, dogs are obsessed with it, lasts the longest. Always check the label — xylitol is in many brands and is toxic.
- Plain Greek yogurt — dogs love the tang. Rich in probiotics. Freezes beautifully. Mix with peanut butter for extra sticking power.
- Pumpkin puree — plain canned pumpkin, not pie filling. Great for digestion, naturally sweet, low calorie.
- Wet dog food — push it into the texture zones. Good for dogs who aren't motivated by human food.
- Cream cheese — full fat, plain. Sticks extremely well. Good for medicine hiding too.
- Mashed banana — naturally sweet. Mix with peanut butter or yogurt for a richer filling.
- Unsweetened applesauce — low calorie, naturally sweet, good for weight-conscious dogs.
The Freeze Hack
Load the mat with any filling. Freeze overnight. Give it frozen. Unfrozen: 5-10 minutes. Frozen: 20-30 minutes. Same effort, three times the enrichment value.
What NOT To Put On a Lick Mat
- Anything containing xylitol — artificial sweetener found in many peanut butters, gums, and sugar-free products
- Grapes or raisins — toxic to dogs
- Onion or garlic — toxic
- Chocolate — toxic
- Macadamia nuts — toxic
Recommended Product
Our Dog Lick Mat has deep texture zones that hold fillings securely. Works with all the fillings above. See the Mealtime collection for more enrichment feeding products.
Related Questions
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- Complete Guide to Dog Lick Mats
Built with love, in memory of JJ. 🐾💛
