10 Easy Frozen Lick Mat Recipes Your Dog Will Love

10 Easy Frozen Lick Mat Recipes Your Dog Will Love

Lick mats are one of the most versatile enrichment tools you can have in your dog owner toolkit. But once you’ve got one, the question quickly becomes: what do I put on it?

The answer is: so many things. Lick mats work beautifully with soft foods spread across the surface — and they’re even better frozen. A frozen lick mat extends the activity from a few minutes to 15-20 minutes (sometimes longer), and in the Australian summer heat, a cold lick mat is pure heaven for your dog.

Here are 10 easy recipes — from quick everyday options to special occasion treats — all using dog-safe ingredients you can find at most Australian supermarkets.

Before You Start: Safety Notes

• Always check that every ingredient is safe for dogs before using it
• Avoid: grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in some peanut butters — always check the label), macadamia nuts, and chocolate
• Use plain, unsweetened yoghurt — not flavoured varieties
• Natural peanut butter is fine for most dogs; just check there’s no xylitol
• If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, adapt recipes accordingly
• Introduce new foods gradually, especially for puppies

The 10 Recipes

Tips for Frozen Lick Mats

• Freeze overnight for the best results — a fully frozen mat lasts much longer than a partially frozen one
• Keep a batch of frozen mats in the freezer so you always have one ready
• Use the mat on a non-slip surface or place it in a shallow tray to catch any drips as it thaws
• Wash mats thoroughly after each use — most are dishwasher safe (check the specific product)
• Introduce the lick mat fresh first so your dog understands what to do, then move to frozen versions

Don’t Have a Lick Mat Yet?

Eazy Dog Shop stocks a great range of lick mats — including the popular LickiMat range — in a variety of sizes, textures, and difficulty levels. The more varied the texture, the more engaging it is for your dog and the longer it takes them to lick clean.

Shop Lick Mats at eazydogshop.com

Which recipe is your dog’s favourite? Let us know in the comments or tag us on Instagram @eazydogshop — we love seeing your creations!

#1: Classic Peanut Butter You’ll need: Natural peanut butter (xylitol-free) Method: Spread directly onto the lick mat. Serve fresh or freeze for 2+ hours. Tip: This is the go-to starter recipe. Almost every dog loves it, it’s quick to prepare, and it’s great for introducing your dog to lick mat feeding.

#2: Peanut Butter & Banana You’ll need: Natural peanut butter, 1/2 ripe banana (mashed) Method: Mix together and spread over the mat. Freeze for 2+ hours. Tip: Banana is naturally sweet and high in potassium — a great combination with protein-rich peanut butter.

#3: Greek Yoghurt & Blueberries You’ll need: Plain unsweetened Greek yoghurt, a handful of blueberries Method: Spread the yoghurt over the mat, press blueberries into the grooves. Freeze for 3+ hours. Tip: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants. This one is especially good in summer — refreshing and cooling.

#4: Pumpkin & Chicken You’ll need: Tinned pumpkin puree (plain, not pie filling), shredded cooked chicken Method: Spread pumpkin puree over the mat, press small pieces of chicken into the surface. Serve fresh or freeze for 2 hours. Tip: Plain pumpkin is excellent for digestive health and most dogs love the flavour. Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

#5: Banana & Yoghurt Swirl You’ll need: Plain Greek yoghurt, 1 ripe banana (mashed) Method: Mix together until smooth, spread over mat. Freeze for 3+ hours. Tip: A creamy, mild recipe that works well for dogs who find strong flavours overwhelming.

#6: Sardine Paste You’ll need: 1 tin of sardines in spring water (drained), a little plain yoghurt or cooked pumpkin to bind Method: Blend or mash together until spreadable. Spread over mat and freeze. Tip: Don’t be put off by the smell — dogs go absolutely wild for this one. Sardines are rich in omega-3s, great for coat and joint health.

#7: Apple & Peanut Butter You’ll need: Natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple puree or finely grated apple (skin removed) Method: Mix together and spread over mat. Freeze for 2+ hours. Tip: Remove apple seeds and core before using — seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide. The flesh is perfectly safe and provides extra fibre.

#8: Wet Food Spread You’ll need: Your dog’s regular wet or raw food Method: Simply spread directly over the mat. Freeze for 2+ hours. Tip: This is the simplest way to turn an existing meal into a lick mat activity. No extra ingredients needed — just spread and freeze the night before.

#9: Mango & Coconut (Summer Special) You’ll need: 2 tablespoons fresh mango (peeled, seed removed), 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut milk Method: Blend together and spread over mat. Freeze for 3+ hours. Tip: A tropical summer treat. Mango is safe for dogs in small amounts — just remove the skin and the large seed. Coconut milk is fine in small quantities.

#10: Pumpkin, Yoghurt & Blueberry Loaded Mat You’ll need: Plain pumpkin puree, plain Greek yoghurt, blueberries, a sprinkle of your dog’s kibble Method: Spread alternating layers of pumpkin and yoghurt, press in blueberries and kibble. Freeze for 3+ hours. This is the loaded mat — takes a bit longer to prepare but keeps dogs busy for a long time. Tip: Great for special occasions, hot days, or days when your dog needs extra settling (thunderstorms, fireworks, visitors).