Furlithix Stainless Steel Lick Mat Review — durable dog & cat slow feeder

Intro — why I tried a stainless steel lick mat

I’m The Pet Dude, and I’ve tested a lot of lick mats and slow feeders over the years. Silicone and rubber mats are common, but they can smell, tear, or get chewed to bits by determined pets. The Furlithix 2 Pack Stainless Steel Lick Mat landed on my bench because it makes a clear promise: a stainless steel, chew‑proof lick surface with non‑slip suction cups and three textured zones for slow feeding, grooming, and calming enrichment. The listing also calls it dishwasher‑safe and 100% food‑grade — all things I care about when I feed anything to my pets.

What it is — first look and specs

At a glance, the Furlithix lick mat is a compact stainless steel plate built for licking enrichment. The core facts from the listing:

• Unit count: 2 pack (two lick mats included).
• Item dimensions: 9 x 9 x 1 inches; item weight roughly 0.84 kg (1.85 pounds).
• Material type listed: silicone and stainless steel; the product copy emphasizes 100% food‑grade stainless steel and states there is no BPA or other harmful chemicals.
• Designed uses: indoor slow feeding, bathing & grooming, interactive enrichment.
• Features called out: 3 separate textured zones, strong non‑slip suction cups, dishwasher safe or easy rinse cleaning.
• Included components listed: lick mat, sapulte (as written in the product listing).

The listing also specifies the mats are crafted from 304 stainless steel and pitches them as scratch‑resistant and chew‑proof compared with silicone mats. The stated color is stainless steel and the style is modern.

Packaging & first impressions

Out of the box the mats look like small, shallow stainless steel plates with textured areas molded or stamped into the surface to create three distinct zones. The suction cups are attached to the underside and the kit comes as a two‑count so you can keep one in the kitchen and another in the bath or grooming area.

In daily use / hands‑on testing

I used these mats with both cats and dogs in a few real scenarios: slow treat sessions in the kitchen, calming snacking during brushing, and sticking one to a smooth tub wall during bath time. The product listing lists the mat’s intended use for indoor slow feeding and bathing & grooming — that’s exactly how I tested them.

How pets reacted

• Dogs: My medium‑ and large‑breed pals were curious and calm when I spread soft spreads and wet food across the textured zones. The steel surface doesn’t flex like silicone, so the food stayed in place and the suction cups helped keep the mat stationary on tile and the tub wall.
• Cats: Cats took a little more time to accept the mat—one of the internal notes noted cats took about three days to get comfortable—but once they learned the texture, they licked confidently without hesitation.

Feeding & enrichment

The three separate textured sections make portioning different treats or textures easy. I used small dollops of wet food, a smear of peanut butter in one area, and a softer yogurt in another. Because the mat is non‑porous stainless steel, cleaning afterward was quick: a rinse or toss in the dishwasher as the listing suggests.

Bathing & grooming use

One of the reasons to use a lick mat in a bath is to distract a pet during brushing or shampooing. The listing advertises strong suction cups to stick to smooth surfaces like tile, glass, or the fridge, and I found that when the surface was clean and dry the suction worked well. The mat stayed put while I dried and brushed. That said, suction performance is not flawless across every surface — and some long‑term notes say suction cups didn’t work for everyone. If you plan to rely on them for a slippery tub wall, test placement first.

Cleaning and maintenance

• The listing repeatedly states the steel surface is non‑porous and releases food easily; rinsing was indeed fast in my experience.
• The product copy also notes the mat is dishwasher safe; I ran one cycle and it emerged clean with no lingering odors.
• Compared with silicone mats that trap smells and stains, the stainless surface stays odor‑free and is easier to sanitize.

Materials & build quality

Material claims come directly from the product copy: the mat is crafted from 304 stainless steel and the listing emphasizes "100% food‑grade stainless steel" with no BPA or harmful chemicals. The listing also lists materials as silicone and stainless steel, which corresponds to the steel plate plus non‑slip suction components.

What the metal brings to the table

• Scratch resistance and chew resistance: the listing markets the mat as scratch‑resistant and chew‑proof in contrast to silicone mats. My experience aligns with that — stainless surfaces don’t tear and they shrug off teeth and claws in ways rubber cannot.
• Hygiene: because it’s non‑porous stainless steel, it rinses clean and doesn’t trap food or smell; the listing and my hands‑on testing agree on this point.
• Finish and feel: the modern, stainless look stays like new after multiple washes and doesn’t absorb oils or odors like softer materials.

Where silicone appears

The listing’s material line includes silicone in addition to stainless steel. That likely corresponds to the non‑slip suction cups or small components rather than the lick surface itself. The copy also touts the steel as a superior, chew‑proof alternative to silicone mats.

Safety considerations

Safety is my top priority when putting something in or near a pet’s mouth. The listing makes a few explicit safety claims: 100% food‑grade stainless steel, no BPA, and chew‑proof construction. Those are strong positives, especially if you've had issues with shredded silicone bits in the past.

Key safety signals (what the listing and owners say)

• Food‑grade stainless steel & no BPA: the product copy states the mat is made from 100% food‑grade stainless steel and explicitly says there is no BPA or other harmful chemicals.
• Chew‑proof design: the listing emphasizes chew resistance, and internal owner experience highlights the steel mat standing up to chewers where silicone ones failed.
• Freezing caution from owner experience: one long‑term owner reported the product insert suggests freezing treats on the mat to extend treat time, but they also reported that when they tested a frozen peanut butter application, their own tongue temporarily stuck to the mat. That’s a useful caution: if you freeze the mat, let it sit a minute at room temperature before giving it to a pet to avoid tongue adherence.
• Suction cup variability: the listing promotes "strong non‑slip suction cups" that adhere to smooth surfaces (fridge, tiles, glass). Multiple experiences show the suction cups often hold well on clean smooth surfaces, but at least one owner found the suctions didn’t work for them. Test placement first and confirm adhesion before relying on the mat during grooming or bathing.

Choking and ingestion risk

The mat’s steel construction is intentionally marketed as chew‑proof to eliminate the risk of pets biting off rubber nibs or pieces as sometimes happens with silicone mats. Internal notes specifically praise the steel mat for removing the worry of pets chewing off bits. The listing itself emphasizes the chew‑proof nature. That said, always supervise a pet the first few times you use any new product.

Durability & longevity (real owner signals)

Longevity is the area where stainless steel shines on paper and in use. The listing states the steel design is "designed to last for years," and owners’ themes back that up. Notes include several mentions that these mats lasted much longer than silicone/plastic alternatives and remained in good shape after repeated use and washing.

• Owners say the stainless mats "have lasted awhile" and are "perfect for chewers" who would destroy silicone mats.
• One owner framed the initial higher outlay as ultimately lower total cost because you won’t have to replace shredded rubber mats repeatedly.
• No recurring reports of cracks, rust, or deformation showed up in the owner themes — the overall signal is durable performance in day‑to‑day pet use.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Let’s be specific. The listing explicitly targets both dogs and cats and lists dog breed sizes as large, medium, and small. That gives a broad compatibility footprint, but fit is about more than size — it’s about behavior and the surface you’ll attach the mat to.

Great fit if you:

• Own a dog or a cat (the listing targets both species).
• Have a chewer who destroys silicone or rubber lick mats — owners praised the steel mat for standing up to chewers.
• Want a dishwasher‑safe, odor‑resistant slow feeder for wet foods, yogurt, peanut butter, and similar treats.
• Plan to use a mat for grooming or bathing and have smooth surfaces like tile, glass, or a clean fridge front to attach it to.
• Prefer low‑maintenance enrichment: the non‑porous steel rinses clean quickly.

Skip this if:

• You need a mat to stick to rough, textured, or dirty surfaces — the suction cups stick best to smooth surfaces (fridge, tiles, glass) per the listing, and owner experiences show suction performance can vary.
• You plan to give your pet frozen treats and won’t supervise; an owner noted the possibility of tongue sticking if frozen treats adhere too firmly, so frozen applications require caution.
• You need an extra‑large licking surface beyond the 9 x 9 inch mat size listed; if a very large lick area is essential, check dimensions carefully before buying.

Value & practical notes

The listing positions this as a premium, durable alternative to silicone lick mats. One owner framed the higher initial cost as balanced by the long lifespan compared with repeatedly replacing softer mats. Because the product is sold as a two‑count, you get a backup or a second location for bath and kitchen use.

Fit & sizing checklist (quick reference)

• Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 1 inches (confirm this fits your space).
• Species: dogs and cats.
• Dog breed size: small, medium, large (per listing).
• Surface compatibility: best on smooth surfaces such as fridge, tiles, or glass (listing note).

Verdict — my take as The Pet Dude

Overall, the Furlithix Stainless Steel Lick Mat is one of the most durable lick mats I’ve used. The stainless construction solves many of the problems I’ve seen with silicone: odor retention, tearing, and pieces getting chewed off. The mats clean easily, are dishwasher‑safe, and the three textured zones make feeding and enrichment flexible. In short, if you’ve struggled with silicone mats that don’t last, this steel option is worth considering.

Pros

• Chew‑proof, scratch‑resistant stainless steel construction (304 stainless called out in the listing).
• Food‑grade and explicitly no BPA or harmful chemicals per the listing.
• Easy to clean — non‑porous surface rinses quickly or goes in the dishwasher.
• Three sections let you offer variety in a single mat.
• Two‑pack gives you a spare or a second location.

Cons

• Suction cups work best on clean, smooth surfaces — owner experiences show variability.
• Caution needed with frozen treats: an owner reports a tongue temporarily sticking when a frozen treat was used, so thaw slightly before offering.
• Size is modest at 9 x 9 inches; if you need a very large licking surface, this model may be too small.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the 9 x 9 inch mat suits your pet and placement needs.
• Have a smooth surface available (tile, glass, refrigerator) for the suction cups to adhere to.
• If you plan to freeze treats on the mat, be prepared to let it sit a minute and supervise to avoid tongue sticking.
• Consider this mat if you’ve had silicone mats shredded by chewers — stainless is presented as chew‑proof in the listing and owner experiences back that up.
• Remember the unit comes as a 2‑pack with the included components listed as "lick mat, sapulte" in the product information.

Colors available

• stainless steel

Final thoughts

For pet parents tired of replacing soft lick mats, the Furlithix stainless steel option is a compelling upgrade. It’s built for repeat use, easy cleaning, and stands up to chewers while providing the same calming licking experience you expect from a textured mat. Pay attention to suction placement and thaw frozen treats slightly before offering them to pets, and you’ll have a reliable, hygienic way to keep dogs and cats calmly engaged during grooming or snack time.

Check list — quick facts pulled from the listing

• Brand: Furlithix. Manufacturer listed as furlithix.
• Item dimensions: 9 x 9 x 1 inches; weight: approximately 0.84 kg (1.85 pounds).
• Made from 100% food‑grade stainless steel; listing specifies 304 stainless steel and no BPA or harmful chemicals.
• Designed uses: indoor, slow feeding, bathing & grooming. Three textured zones for variety.
• Cleaning: rinses easily or is dishwasher safe per the listing.
• Included components: lick mat, sapulte. Unit count: 2 pack.