Silicone Licking Mat

Licking is self-soothing behaviour for dogs and cats. A licking mat uses that deliberately: it turns a few spoonfuls of something soft into a slow, repetitive task that settles an anxious animal down.

What people actually use it for

• Bath and grooming time — stick it to the side of the tub and most dogs stop fighting the bath.
• Nail trims and ear drops — occupies the front end while you work on the rest.
• Crate settling and thunderstorms — gives a wound-up animal something to do.
• Stretching out treats — a tablespoon of wet food lasts ten minutes instead of two seconds.

What to put on it

Wet food, plain yoghurt, pumpkin puree, or a thin smear of peanut butter — check the label and make sure it contains no xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Freeze it for a version that lasts three times longer.

Cleaning

Anti-slip backing holds it to a tile or tub wall. Rinse under the tap or run it through the dishwasher.