--- title: Lick Mats and Frozen Treats at Home | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/lick-mats-and-frozen-treats/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Lick mats & frozen treats # Lick mats and frozen treats: how to make them at home Spread canned dog food, plain yogurt, pumpkin puree or xylitol-free peanut butter onto a lick mat, and freeze it to make it last longer. Check peanut butter labels for xylitol, which is dangerous to dogs. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Licking is calming for many dogs, which is why lick mats show up at kennels, vet offices and living rooms. The idea is simple, and so is the safety checklist. ## Fillings suggested by a vet school Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center lists canned wet food, yogurt, peanut butter and pumpkin puree as fillings for lick mats and stuffed toys, and notes that freezing the filling before serving keeps a dog busy longer. If your dog has dietary restrictions, ask your vet for substitutes. ## How to make one - Pick a mat or a stuffable toy sized for your dog. - Spread a thin layer of a safe filling over the surface, pressing into the grooves. - Freeze it for a few hours, or serve it fresh for a quick snack. - Serve on a washable surface and supervise. - Wash the mat with hot soapy water after each use. ## The xylitol warning The FDA says xylitol is found in some peanut and nut butters, sugar-free gum, mints, baked goods, medicines and supplements. In dogs, it can cause vomiting, then low blood sugar with weakness, stumbling, collapse and seizures, sometimes within 10 to 60 minutes and sometimes up to 12 to 24 hours later. If your dog ate it, call a vet or an animal poison control center right away. Always read the label first. ## Keep the calories in check A filled mat counts as food, not a free snack. Ask your veterinarian about the right ratio of treats to meals. Shrink the portion of dinner on days your dog gets a big lick mat, and keep servings small for little dogs. ## Or buy one at the kennel Happy Paws sells a Happy Lick Mat with peanut butter or cheese for $4.99 and a Happy Pupsicle, a frozen bell pepper treat in beef or chicken, for $7.99 on the 2026 rates. Ask for them at drop-off. See [lick mats](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/lick-mats/), [pupsicles](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/pupsicles/) and [more enrichment ideas](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-enrichment-ideas/). ## Common mistakes Overfilling a mat so that a dog eats a meal's worth of calories, leaving it unwashed so it grows bacteria, using a filling your dog does not tolerate, or serving a frozen block to a dog who gulps. Start with a thin layer, offer it on a mat or floor where you can see the dog, and take it away when the dog is done. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, canine enrichment ideas](https://riney.vet.cornell.edu/member-benefits-health-tips/canine-enrichment-ideas) - [U.S. FDA, paws off xylitol](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs) - [Happy Paws Kennels 2026 rate sheet (PDF)](https://happypawskennels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-Rates-EFFECTIVE-1-1-26.pdf) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Happy Lick Mat](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/lick-mats/) - [Happy Pupsicle](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/pupsicles/) - [Happy Pup Cup](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/happy-pup-cup/) - [Enrichment ideas from our kennel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-enrichment-ideas/) - [Happy extras](https://happypawskennels.com/extras/) - [What is a Happy Pup Cup?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-is-a-happy-pup-cup/) ## Read next - [Boarding and kennel cough risk](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-and-kennel-cough-risk/) - [Bringing your dog home after boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-coming-home-after-boarding/) - [What to expect from a month-long stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/long-term-boarding-what-to-expect/) - [Microchips & ID tags before you travel](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/microchips-and-id-tags/) - [A pet evacuation plan for Solano & Yolo families](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-emergency-plan/) - [Which kennel class does my dog need?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/choosing-a-kennel-class/) - [Should two dogs share a kennel?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/two-dogs-one-kennel/) - [Pet insurance and boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/pet-insurance-and-boarding/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Can dogs have peanut butter? Many can, but only brands without xylitol. Read the label every time. ### How long should I freeze a lick mat? A few hours is enough for most fillings. Frozen fillings last longer. ### How much is a Happy Lick Mat? $4.99 on the 2026 rates, with peanut butter or cheese.