Are lick mats worth it?

For the price, they're one of the more useful things you can buy. Licking is calming for most dogs, and a mat with a thin layer of something tasty can keep them busy for ten minutes or more. People use them during baths, nail trims, vet visits at home, or just to stop a dog begging at dinner.

What to spread on it

Plain peanut butter (check the label for xylitol, which is toxic to dogs), natural yoghurt, mashed banana, or their usual wet food. Spread it thin and push it into the grooves. Freeze it for an hour and it lasts much longer.

If your dog chews it

Some dogs try to eat the mat once the food is gone. Stay nearby the first few times and pick it up as soon as they've finished licking. It's a supervised toy, not something to leave in the crate.