Licking is a self-soothing behaviour, not simply a way of eating, which is why a mat like this earns its place at nail trims and bath time as much as at dinner. Spread something soft across the surface — wet food, yoghurt, a scraping of peanut butter — and the honeycomb and pyramid texture holds it down in the grooves, so your dog or cat has to work at it steadily instead of clearing the lot in one pass.

The pattern is moulded at two depths, 7.5mm for the raised sections and 4.5mm for the lower ones, and that difference is what stops a thick spread lifting away in a single lick. Suction points on the back hold it to a tile, a bath or a smooth floor, which matters more than it sounds, because a mat that slides across the kitchen is a mat that gets abandoned. Food-grade silicone throughout, dishwasher safe.

• 21cm diameter round mat
• Food-grade silicone, around 110g
• Honeycomb and pyramid texture at 7.5mm and 4.5mm depths
• Suction points on the back to hold it in place
• Dishwasher safe
• Five colours: pink, green, purple, yellow and blue
• Freezes well for longer-lasting enrichment

On suction, and on what you spread. Suction only grips a genuinely smooth, clean, slightly damp surface — on textured tile or bare wood it will move, and a strong dog can peel it off regardless, so wet the back before pressing it down. Keep the topping sensible too: xylitol is toxic to dogs, so read any peanut butter label before it goes near this.

Who it's for: Anyone with a fast eater, a dog who dreads grooming, or a cat who needs something to do while you clip their claws.