Furlithix Stainless Steel Lick Mat Review — Tough, Washable Pet Lick Pad

Intro

The Furlithix Stainless Steel Lick Mat arrives as a simple, practical idea: take the lick-mat concept usually made from silicone or rubber, swap in metal, and make something easier to clean and harder for chewers to destroy. The listing frames it as a 2-pack of 9" x 9" textured stainless steel mats sold for indoor use, slow feeding, bathing, and grooming. The product copy emphasizes durability, easy cleaning, and three separate texture zones to hold wet or sticky treats.

Owners generally love the sturdiness and the cleaning convenience, but there are two recurring caveats: the bottom suction cups are inconsistent for some pets and households, and freezing sticky treats can cause temporary tongue sticking if you don’t let the mat warm briefly. Those two patterns are the main trade-offs to weigh when gifting this to a pet owner.

What it is / first look

At first look this is a 2-count set of textured lick mats made from stainless steel. The listing specifies 9 x 9 x 1 inches per mat and an item weight of 0.84 kg (about 1.85 lb). The manufacturer and brand are both listed as furlithix, and the product is described and marketed primarily for dogs and cats as an indoor enrichment and grooming aid.

• What's included: The listing lists the included components as "lick mat, sapulte" (the listing's wording).
• Design: Each mat has three separate textured zones so you can spread different kinds of food or treats across sections. Suction cups are attached on the bottom to anchor the mat to smooth surfaces.
• Material callouts: The listing repeatedly states the mats are crafted from 100% food-grade stainless steel and names 304 stainless steel in the feature bullets. It also states "no BPA or other harmful chemicals."
• Cleaning: The listing says the smooth stainless surface does not trap food, can be rinsed, and is dishwasher safe.
• Target uses: Slow feeding, bathing & grooming, and interactive enrichment.
• Color/finish: Listed color is "stainless steel."

Who this is a good gift for

Don’t give this as a romantic or highly personal present—this is the kind of solid, practical add-on gift that suits pet owners who like useful, long-lasting gear. Below are concrete recipient fits and the assumptions that must be true for it to land well.

The chewer who destroys silicone mats

Why it fits: The listing positions the mat as "chew-proof" compared with silicone/rubber options, and several owners specifically praise the stainless steel for surviving pets that shredded softer mats. Assumption: the recipient’s pet is a moderate chewer but not a pet that will try to bite through metal—owners repeatedly note this as a key advantage over silicone.

The pet owner who values easy cleaning

Why it fits: The listing touts a non-porous stainless surface that "releases food easily" and is dishwasher-safe; multiple owners praise the quick cleanup and lack of smell compared with silicone. Assumption: the recipient prefers low-maintenance gear and has access to a dishwasher or wants an easy rinse-off option.

The person who grooms or bathtimes their pet at home

Why it fits: The product is explicitly marketed for bathing and grooming to keep pets occupied and calm. Owners describe using it during baths, brush-ins, or nail trims for distraction and calm. Assumption: the recipient does at-home grooming and uses a smooth surface (tile, tub, glass) where suction can hold the mat.

Households with multiple pets or small mess concerns

Why it fits: The three-zone texture allows different spreads and can slow licking and reduce immediate mess. This is handy in apartments or households where a pet licking peanut butter off a bowl would be messy. Assumption: the recipient feeds occasional treats and wants a reusable, hygienic surface.

The gift-stocker or practical add-on for pet-focused gift bundles

Why it fits: It’s a compact, practical item that pairs well with treat jars, grooming kits, or bath-time gifts. Assumption: you’re giving to someone who already owns pet basics—this is an upgrade rather than a starter kit.

In daily use

Use cases for this mat are straightforward: spread wet or sticky treats in the textured zones to promote slow licking, attach the mat on a smooth surface for bath-time distraction, or freeze a portion to extend treat time. The listing and owners provide repetitive details on how these routines play out.

Feeding and slow-treating

The listing and owners describe using yogurt, peanut butter, wet food, or other soft treats in the three different texture zones so pets lick rather than gulp. Owners report that the textures work for both cats and dogs after a short adjustment period—one owner said their cats took about three days to get used to it. The goal is calm, extended licking which the listing claims helps with anxiety and focus.

Bathing, grooming, and vet-prep

The product is promoted for bathing and grooming: strong suction cups are meant to anchor the mat on tubs, tiles, or glass, keeping the mat steady while the pet licks and the owner grooms or trims nails. Owners who use it this way say it keeps pets occupied during brushing or baths and that the mat helps make the session calmer.

Freezing to extend treat time — caution advised

The listing and owners mention freezing as a tactic to make treats last longer. One owner’s note is a clear safety signal: they froze the mat with peanut butter and tested it themselves; their tongue stuck momentarily, so they recommend leaving frozen spreads to warm a couple of minutes before giving them to a pet. That pattern — useful for extending time but carrying a sticking risk when very cold — is worth passing along to the gift recipient.

Cleaning and storage

Owners consistently praise how easy the stainless surface is to rinse clean and that it does not retain odors like some silicone mats can. The listing states the mat can be placed in the dishwasher and highlights the non-porous surface that resists buildup.

Materials & build quality

The listing names 304 stainless steel explicitly in the feature bullets and repeatedly emphasizes "100% food-grade stainless steel" and "no BPA or other harmful chemicals." It also compares the material to silicone—calling stainless scratch-resistant and chew-proof.

• Structure: Owners call the mat "well made," "sturdy," and "perfect for chewers" who destroyed rubber or silicone mats. That owner feedback matches the listing’s positioning about longevity versus softer materials.
• Textures & zones: The mat contains three textured sections for spreading different treats. Owners leveraged those zones for varied treats and enrichment.
• Suction system: The listing highlights "strong non-slip suction cups," and many owners say the suction holds the mat in place on smooth floors. However, at least one owner called the suction unreliable and wrote that the suction cups "just do not work." That mixed signal suggests build quality overall is strong, while the bottom-mounted suction cups can be inconsistent depending on surface, cleanliness, or wear.

Safety considerations

Safety is where a few small but important notes live. Some are product-claimed and some come from owner experience; they matter because this product contacts pets’ tongues and mouths.

• Material claims: The listing repeatedly claims the product is made from "100% food-grade stainless steel" and names 304 stainless steel; it also states "no BPA or other harmful chemicals." Treat those as manufacturer/listing claims.
• Freezing hazard: Owner feedback contains a practical safety anecdote: one buyer froze peanut butter in the mat and tested it on their own tongue before giving it to their dog. Their tongue stuck to the frozen surface briefly, leading them to recommend letting frozen spreads warm a couple of minutes. That repeated-owner advice is the clearest safety action item: if you freeze sticky foods, let them warm slightly before handing to a pet.
• Suction reliability: The listing describes "strong" suction cups, and several owners confirm they hold the mat on smooth surfaces. But at least one owner reports suction cups that "just do not work." For gift shoppers, that means suction performance can vary by recipient's surfaces (uneven bathroom tubs, textured tiles) or by manufacturing variance.
• Chewing and metal interaction: The product is marketed and repeatedly praised as chew-resistant and more durable than silicone. Owners specifically bought it to stop pets from chewing and ingesting rubber nibs. If the recipient’s pet is an extreme metal-chewer (an animal that uses teeth to repeatedly strike or bend metal items), the listing doesn’t address that extreme scenario, and the buyer should proceed cautiously.

Who should skip it

• If the recipient’s pet absolutely hates textured surfaces or has never tolerated licking-based enrichment, skip it—this mat depends on a licking response to be useful.
• If the recipient uses rough or textured tubs or surfaces where suction cups won’t adhere (textured or porous tile), the mat may not stay put and won’t be as helpful for baths or grooming.
• If the household frequently freezes sticky treats and won’t remember to warm the mat a minute or two, there’s a small sticking risk reported by at least one owner.
• If the pet is known to try to bite or bend metal items aggressively, ask whether a metal mat is suitable—this mat is sold and praised as chew-resistant versus silicone, but the listing doesn’t promise invulnerability to a very determined, destructive chewer.

Verdict

Furlithix’s stainless steel lick mat is a practical, no-nonsense upgrade over the usual silicone/rubber options. The listing’s material callouts (304 stainless steel, 100% food-grade) and dishwasher-safe design line up with owner reports praising sturdiness, easy cleaning, and reduced smell. Multiple owners say it lasts longer than silicone pads and works well for chewers who destroyed softer mats.

Two real-world caveats matter to gift shoppers: (1) suction cup performance is mixed across owners, and (2) frozen sticky treats can temporarily stick to tongues if the mat is given straight from the freezer. Those two patterns are the main tradeoffs between convenience and surface-compatibility.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the recipient has mostly smooth surfaces (tub, glass, smooth tile) if you plan to market it as a bath/grooming aid.
• Ask whether the recipient prefers stainless over silicone (many prefer the easier cleaning and chew resistance).
• If the recipient freezes treats, mention the thawing tip: let frozen treats warm a minute before giving to a pet to avoid tongue-sticking.
• Check that the recipient’s pet is at least willing to try licking-based enrichment—some pets take a few days to adjust.

Overall recommendation: buy for pet owners who want a sturdier, easier-to-clean lick mat and who have suitable smooth surfaces for suction. Maybe for households that need a longer-lasting alternative to silicone. Skip or check first if suction surfaces are textured or if the pet is an extreme metal-biter.