Make These DIY Hanging Lick Mats and Tap Into Your Cat's Hunting Instincts
If you've got a cat at home, you know how important it is to provide them with a nutritious, varied diet and to keep their curious minds occupied. Treats and cat toys are exciting, but they can get expensive and lose their luster.
Thankfully, a YouTube creator shared a cheap, easy way to make a hanging lick mat for your cats with a few items you probably already have around the house.
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"The problem with indoor cats? They still need to hunt," the video caption reads. "This gives them an outlet."
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yxaOAxlLxLA
Posted by Grizzly & Marlo, all you need for this DIY cat craft is a series of cleaned lids from old food containers, some squeeze-up soft food treats, a pen or screwdriver, and some string.
Start by grabbing your lids and your poking device of choice (the pen, screwdriver or whatever you have handy that gets the job done), then poke a hole into the center of each lid. You get to decide how many lids you're using, perhaps one per cat.
Spread the soft treats inside the lid, then top with any additional toppings your cat loves most. Freeze the lids, treat-side up, for an hour or until the soft treats set.
Once the treats have frozen in place on the lid, remove the lids and hang them low enough around the house for your cats to reach, but high enough that they'll have to stand on their hind legs to lick.
Tie the string or cord through the lid holes, then tie those hanging lids to one longer string between sturdy household items that won't fall should your cats grab the lids with their paws and pull.
Just like that, you've made a delicious, frozen-treat lick pad that will keep your cat entertained and exercised as they swat, pat and lick the mats until they've had their fill!
Related: This DIY Cat Scratcher Uses Cardboard Boxes and Tape to 'Turn Trash Into Enrichment'
Why Is "Hunting" Important for Indoor Cats?
Hunting is a natural instinct in all cats, whether they live indoors or outdoors, and most cat toys are designed to stimulate this instinct.
Besides being a very good way to flex muscles and get some sweet bursts of exercise between cat naps, activities that get your cat swatting, scratching, and pouncing help keep their mind sharp and fill their brains with mood-enhancing chemicals.
Playing with squeaky toys, chasing lasers and reaching for these frozen lick mats also gives your cat the satisfaction that comes with being the master of their domain. It's a big morale booster whenever your cat "catches" the prey, and in this case, the extra reward is the treat.
Related: Cats Are Treating This Island-Themed Play Mat Like a Vacation Resort
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 10:05 AM.