Cat treats for enrichment with lick mats
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Cats and dogs both work a lick mat, but what a cat wants rarely overlaps with what a dog wants. Cats hunt fish, so freeze-dried seafood stops a cat mid-groom and puts full focus on the mat. Combine that with a lick mat, and you have a treat that lasts longer than treats given by hand.
Seafood treats cats actually want
The Seafood Sampler: Salmon, Shrimp & Mussels at $50.00 includes one bag each of freeze-dried pink salmon, shrimp, and blue-lipped mussels. All three are single ingredient. Mussels are the smallest pieces and the strongest-smelling, which is usually what wins over a cat. Salmon is softest and flakes into small mouths. Shrimp holds a firm curl.
The Fish Trio: Sardines, Anchovies & Sardine Heads at $50.00 includes whole sardines, anchovies, and sardine heads, all single ingredient, all suitable for cats. Anchovies are smaller and drier than sardines. Sardine heads are crunchiest and strongest-smelling. Most cats claim sardine heads first.
Individual seafood options
If your cat has explored both bundles, rotate individual bags. Freeze-dried whole sardines at $20.00 or $25.00 depending on size work for cats or dogs. Break them in half for a smaller mouth. Sardine heads at $15.00 are pre-sized for a cat.
Lick mats cats will use
The pink lick mat at $15.00 and yellow lick mat at $15.00 are both dog and cat mats with multi-level surfaces designed for spreading soft snacks. Both come with strong suction cups on the underside, so they stick to a hard floor or wall and stay put while your cat licks. Freeze them for longer-lasting engagement, then rinse clean in the dishwasher.
Spread sardine heads across the mat, or crumble them into the grooves and freeze for two to four hours. Your cat has to lick and work the pieces loose instead of finding them loose on the floor.
Why cats prefer seafood to other treats
Cats are obligate carnivores that prefer fish smell and taste over beef or poultry. Freeze-dried seafood carries concentrated ocean smell that stops a cat instantly. A single sardine head under a lick mat creates engagement that a piece of liver will not.
In the Treats aisle
Seafood Sampler: Salmon, Shrimp & Mussels, one bundle at $50.00. Bundles all three seafood treats.
Fish Trio: Sardines, Anchovies & Sardine Heads, one bundle at $50.00. Whole fish, freeze-dried.
Freeze-Dried Whole Sardines: Fish Treats for Dogs & Cats, 3 ounces for $20.00 or 6 ounces for $25.00.
Freeze-Dried Sardine Heads: Crunchy Fish Treats for Dogs & Cats, one size at $15.00.
The lick mats
The Pink Dog & Cat Lick Mat at $15.00 has a multi-level surface and strong suction cups. The Yellow Dog & Cat Lick Mat at $15.00 is identical in function, just a different color. Both are durable, dishwasher-good, and freezer-good.
How it ships
Sold through Shopify Collective and shipped to you directly by Pink Papyrus Co., with its own tracking. Not made or shipped by Sniff and Shift. Our freeze-dried treats are made in Malvern, Pennsylvania and ship separately from us.
Our cat treats
Our freeze-dried cat treats collection includes all three seafood flavors in single bags or bundles.
Questions
Which seafood treat is best for a cat new to lick mats?
Start with sardine heads from the Fish Trio or bought individually at $15.00. They are pre-crumbled by nature, so they release easily from the mat as your cat licks. Mussels from the Seafood Sampler are the second choice because their strong smell is irresistible.
Can I layer treats on a cat lick mat?
Yes. Spread sardine heads across the mat, then add shrimp in the grooves, then crumble salmon on top, then freeze the whole thing. Your cat has to lick and work through multiple textures to get every piece.
How long will frozen sardines last on a mat?
Frozen sardine heads last fifteen to twenty minutes on a mat. Unfrozen, they last five to ten minutes. Cats are faster workers than dogs, so freeze for longer engagement.
Do these treats work for multiple cats?
Yes, but one mat per cat is goodr. Cats compete over resources more than dogs, so separate mats mean both cats get fed without activity.
What if my cat does not like fish?
Most cats prefer fish over other proteins, but some want beef or poultry. If your cat ignores sardines, ask your doctor whether the treats are right for their taste, or rotate a single beef treat to see if other proteins work.
If your cat has never tried freeze-dried fish.
If your cat has never tried freeze-dried fish.
Explore more treats by protein and life stage at /pages/explore.
If your cat has never tried freeze-dried fish.
Explore more treats by protein and life stage at /pages/explore.
