We recently gave these ChefAide lick mats a try with our dogs. Honestly, they’ve become a staple in our grooming routine now.
The mats are 8.5-inch squares and come as a two-pack—one gray, one beige. They’re made from food-grade silicone that actually feels pretty sturdy and safe for pets.
The mats are great for spreading peanut butter or yogurt to keep dogs distracted during nail trims or baths. With 49 suction cups on the back, they stay put on smooth surfaces like tile walls and glass doors—though, fair warning, you need the surface totally clean and dry for best results.
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The four textured patterns on the surface slow down eating and make treats last longer. That seemed to help digestion and kept our dogs calmer during stressful stuff.
Cleanup? Super easy. You can toss them in the dishwasher or just scrub them with warm, soapy water—either way works.
Some pet owners did mention the suction works better on certain surfaces. And, yeah, a few clever dogs figured out how to peel the mat off the wall.
The textured grooves can trap food, so if you’re hand-washing, it takes a bit more effort. But overall, these mats do what they’re supposed to for a reasonable price.
Bottom Line
These lick mats are honestly a practical tool if you’ve got anxious dogs or want to slow down fast eaters.
The quality seems solid. The suction cups usually hold up well during use, too.
Grab your ChefAide lick mat set here and make grooming time a little less stressful for both you and your pet.
At A Glance
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Overview of ChefAide 2 Pack Lick Mat for Dogs and Cats
We tested these silicone lick mats for a few weeks with both dogs and cats. They turned out to be pretty handy for keeping pets busy during stressful moments.
The mats measure 8.5 by 8.5 inches and come as a gray and beige pair. With 49 suction cups gripping the back, they stick well to smooth surfaces like tile, glass, and countertops.
This was a lifesaver during nail trimming and grooming—distractions really do matter. The four textured patterns work nicely with peanut butter, yogurt, and other spreadable treats.
Cleanup was a breeze since they’re dishwasher safe. We also liked that you can toss them in the freezer or microwave as needed.
The silicone feels thick and durable, though if you’re spreading food, you might need to put a paper towel underneath to keep the suction from making it hard to lift.
For cats, we found pate-style food gets stuck in the grooves a bit too much. Chunky wet food worked better, honestly.
Premium Food-Grade Silicone Design
The material quality stood out right away. These mats are made from thick, food-grade silicone—completely BPA-free and non-toxic—which gave us some peace of mind when slathering on peanut butter.
The silicone feels sturdy and durable. After weeks of testing with both dogs and cats, we haven’t seen any tearing, warping, or real signs of wear.
Compared to thinner options, these just feel more substantial. We liked how versatile the material is, too.
The mats handle freezer temps just fine for frozen treats, go in the dishwasher without issues, and can even survive the microwave. Cleanup was always simple, whether we hand-washed with warm soapy water or just tossed them in the dishwasher.
Powerful Suction for Secure Placement
The back of each mat has 49 suction cups that actually do their job. We tried them on tile floors, glass doors, even the fridge—and they held firm every time.
Our dog tried to budge the mat while licking peanut butter, but it stayed put. The suction works best if you press the mat onto a clean, dry surface.
Wiping down the counter first definitely helped create a better seal. One thing: you might want to put a paper towel underneath when spreading food, because the suction can make it tough to lift when you’re applying treats.
The mats don’t really work on textured or rough surfaces, so stick to smooth areas if you want the best results.
Easy Cleanup and Maintenance
We found these mats easy to clean after every use. The silicone doesn’t hang onto sticky foods like peanut butter or yogurt, which made the cleanup process faster than we expected.
Usually, we just rinse the mats under warm water and use a soft brush to get into the grooves. For a deeper clean, we just toss them in the dishwasher. They come out looking brand new every time.
The material also holds up well to freezing and microwaving—handy if you want to prep treats ahead of time. We haven’t seen any warping or damage after multiple washes.
One tip: placing a paper towel underneath while spreading food makes it easier to remove from your counter afterward.
Promoting Calmness and Anxiety Relief
We honestly found these mats helpful for keeping our pets calm during stressful situations. The textured surface works well with spreads like peanut butter or yogurt, keeping pets focused on licking instead of getting worked up.
This distraction technique was especially useful during nail trims and grooming. The licking action itself seems to have a soothing effect.
Our pets stayed occupied for longer stretches, which made stressful activities way easier. The 49 suction cups on the back hold tight to smooth surfaces, so the mat stays put while pets go to town on their treats.
For cats, we noticed chunky wet food worked better than pate—pate sometimes got stuck in the grooves and just frustrated them. These mats aren’t a magic solution, but they’re a solid distraction tool that really does help reduce stress for both pets and owners.
Slow Feeding and Digestive Health
The textured surface does a good job of making pets take their time with food. The grooves and ridges spread out treats, so dogs and cats have to lick more slowly instead of just scarfing everything down.
This slower pace helps prevent bloating and cuts down the risk of choking. We noticed our pets seemed more relaxed after eating because they weren’t rushing through their meal.
The different textures across the mat kept them interested for longer periods. For cats, chunky gravy foods worked better than pate, which sometimes got stuck in the deeper grooves.
Overall, the mat does what it claims—extends feeding time and encourages better digestion over time.
Real-World Use Cases
These mats worked well during stressful activities like nail trims and baths. Spreading peanut butter or yogurt on the surface kept our pets distracted long enough to finish grooming without a battle.
The suction cups held tight against shower tiles and fridge doors. For daily feeding, the textured grooves slowed down eating speed a lot.
We used pate with our cats, though chunkier wet food worked better—pate got stuck in the deeper sections. The mats also came in handy during training as a positive reinforcement tool.
Dishwasher-safe design made cleanup a breeze. We also noticed the mats helped anxious pets stay calmer during vet visits and thunderstorms, especially with their favorite spreads.
Pros and Cons
After using these lick mats with both dogs and cats, we found a few clear benefits—and a couple of minor drawbacks worth mentioning.
Pros
The suction cups honestly work really well. We tried the mats on tile, glass, and fridge doors—the 49 suction cups held tight. Our pets couldn’t move the mats around while licking, which made grooming so much easier.
Cleaning is simple and convenient. We tossed them in the dishwasher multiple times—no issues. The silicone held up, didn’t warp or tear, and hand washing was easy too with warm soapy water and a brush.
They actually slowed down eating. We spread peanut butter and other treats on the textured surface, and our pets took way longer to finish compared to a regular bowl. That helped reduce choking and bloating risks.
They’re great for distraction during stressful activities. We used them during nail trims and baths, and our pets definitely stayed calmer and more focused on treats.
Cons
The grooves aren’t ideal for every food. Pate-style cat food got stuck in the ridges, which annoyed our cats a bit. Chunkier wet foods or spreadable treats like peanut butter worked much better.
The material isn’t quite as dense as we expected. While the mats are functional and durable enough for regular use, the silicone feels a little thinner than some other options we’ve tried.
You need a paper towel during setup. When applying food, the suction cups can stick to your counter, which makes it awkward to work with. Placing a paper towel underneath solved this, but it’s an extra step.
Customer Reviews
Most buyers seem pretty happy with these lick mats. Lots of people mentioned the suction cups work well on smooth surfaces like tiles or tubs, and the mats hold up through repeated washing and daily use.
Several pet owners said the mats helped slow down their pets’ eating, which was the main goal. One person noted that chunky wet food worked better than pate for cats, since pate got stuck in the grooves.
Dog owners reported success using peanut butter to keep pets distracted during nail trims or baths. The thickness and durability of the silicone impressed most folks, and people found them easy to clean and safe for pets.
A few reviewers thought the grooves could’ve been deeper, but overall, the mats did their job for anxiety relief and keeping pets occupied.
Conclusion
After a few weeks with these lick mats, I have to say—they’re a solid pick for pet owners with speedy eaters or anxious pets.
The suction cups actually held tight on smooth surfaces, which was a nice surprise.
Both our dog and cats seemed genuinely interested in the textured patterns.
Cleaning the mats was a breeze, whether I tossed them in the dishwasher or just washed by hand.
The silicone felt pretty thick and durable, honestly better than I expected for the price.
For cats, chunky wet food definitely worked out better; pate just got stuck in those grooves and made a mess.
The mats slowed down eating like they promised, and they kept our pets distracted during stressful stuff like nail trims.
Can’t say they solved every problem, but they did what we needed.
For a two-pack at this price, I’d say the ChefAide mats are a pretty good value.
They’re not perfect for every single food, but they really do help keep pets busy and encourage slower eating.
