10 Best Lick Mats For Dogs To De-Stress And Curb Boredom
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SUMMARY: A lick mat can keep dogs mentally and physically engaged while providing them with the ultimate stress-buster. By adding one of these top 10 best lick mat picks to your dog’s daily routine, you can make life more peaceful and enjoyable—for both of you.
Do you struggle to find ways to soothe your anxious dog or distract him from chewing the furniture?
A lick mat could be just what you need!
Our rescue dog Esme was hyperactive and super stressed when we first adopted her (that’s her in the picture and yes, she has chewed her lick mat quite significantly!).
She was practically bouncing off the walls, finding it almost impossible to calm down.
A lick mat was an absolute game-changer for helping her relax.
Based on our journey of discovery, here are my top 10 picks:
- Classic Lickimat Buddy
- Lickimat Slomo
- Lickimat Wobble
- LickimatTuff Soother
- Lickimat UFO
- Neater Pets Neat-LIK
- Messy Mutts Licking Bowl Mat
- TYCGGN Dog Lick Bowl
- Mighty Paw Interactive Dog Lick Bowl
- Lickimat Yoggie Pot
Key Features To Consider When Choosing A Lick Mat
- Material Safety: Ensuring the lick mat is made of non-toxic, pet-safe, eco-friendly material is paramount.
- Texture and Complexity: Different textures can provide unique sensory experiences and challenges for your dog.
- Durability: A sturdy mat is essential, especially for those determined chewers who might otherwise tear it apart.
- Size and Shape: It should accommodate your dog’s size and feeding habits, with space for the appropriate amount of treats.
- Hygiene: The mat needs to be easy to clean to keep your dog safe.
- Stability: Anti-slip features can be helpful to keep the mat in place during use.
Top 10 Best Lick Mat Picks For Dogs
#1. Lickimat Buddy
- Recommended by vets and trainers.
Works with all manner of treats and foods: spreadable, raw, wet, dry, and liquid. - Use as delivery system for supplements and medications.
- Textured surfaces promote licking action, which generates saliva to help protect teeth and gums.
- Scrapes food pieces and odor-causing pieces off dog's tongue, promoting healthier teeth, gums and fresher breath.
- 3 surface patterns: LickiMat Playdate (squares) for small kibble, raw meat or fish; LickiMat Soother (dots) for runny foods; Buddy (crosses) for chunky spreadable treats.
- Environmentally friendly and safe materials.
- Dishwasher safe.
The Lickimat Buddy quickly became a game-changer for Esme.
Specifically crafted for serving wet treats, this classic design not only provides a delicious distraction but also promotes great dental hygiene through its clever tongue-scraper texture.
It’s especially great for smaller pups if you’re using it to deliver an entire meal.
What I love most is its natural rubber build, which reassures me that our furry friend is engaging in safe, calming activity.
- Key Benefits: Excellent for spreading wet treats, beneficial for dental health, and made of natural rubber for a safe licking experience.
- Keep In Mind: It’s superb for treats, but for full-sized meals, larger dogs might find it less filling.
#2. Lickimat Slomo
- Serve wet, liquid, and dry food together without making a mess.
- Separate foods using the pocket or bump sections for meals or long-lasting snacks.
- Licking action generates saliva, helping protect your pets teeth and gums.
- Scrapes food pieces and odor-causing pieces off dog's tongue, promoting healthier teeth, gums and fresher breath.
- Good option for flatnose dogs: French Bulldog and other bully and bulldog breeds can eat more easily and slowly, without the struggle of navigating tight, deep mazes and bumps with their flat nose.
- Environmentally friendly and safe
With four distinct sections and dual textures, the Lickimat Slomo is like a puzzle and dinner plate rolled into one.
It means dogs can enjoy both wet and dry food on the same mat, making mealtimes exciting while slowing down their eating pace.
The enrichment it offers is just what’s needed to keep a curious mind like Esme’s engaged during dinnertime.
- Key Benefits: Allows for a combination of treats and kibble, enriching mealtime and aiding in slower, healthier eating habits.
- Keep In Mind: With the variety it offers, you might need to keep an extra eye on your dog to ensure they’re getting a balanced diet.
#3. Lickimat Wobble
- Unique shape prolongs feeding.
- Ideal for stressful times such as during thunderstorms and fireworks.
- Wobbling action adds extra dimension to the challenge of licking the treat from the rubber dimpled surface.
- Licking action generates saliva, helping protect your dog's teeth and gums.
- Scrapes food pieces and odor-causing pieces off dog's tongue, promoting healthier teeth, gums and fresher breath.
- Good alternative to slow feed bowls.
- Made from safe, recyclable, natural rubber.
Next, we tried the Lickimat Wobble, and it was an absolute lifesaver on those days when Esme seems to have excess energy.
It’s a lick mat plus a toy—a combo that’s hard to beat.
As the dog licks the treat out from its rolling curves, he’s also getting a fun challenge, nudging and pawing to keep it in place.
It’s a fantastic way to extend mealtime and make it more of a playful event.
I’ve even found it takes the place of a traditional bowl on those extra wiggly mornings.
- Key Benefits: Doubles as a playful challenge, making treat time more of an interactive event that keeps her busy longer than a regular bowl would.
- Keep In Mind: If your dog is on the timid side, they might be a bit put off by the wobbling action at first.
#4. LickimatTuff Soother
- Chew-resistant, non-slip rubber feet and 100% dishwasher safe.
- Authentic rubber surface for licking action, promoting healthier teeth, gums and fresher breath.
- Gentle on dog's tongue.
- Developed and recommended by vets.
- Suitable for spreadable treats, raw, wet, dry and liquid foods.
- Silicone free, recyclable and made out of human grade rubber.
- Hard base is better suited for puppies or known chewers.
The LickimatTuff Soother could be instrumental for puppy parents going through those early teething days, or for those of us who have a hardcore chewer like Esme.
It’s built to withstand the most persistent of chewers with its reinforced sides and a natural rubber body.
I appreciate the anti-slip base, which keeps it from sliding around during vigorous licking sessions.
Designed for durability, it has stood up to the test time and time again in our home, making it an indispensable part of Esme’s daily routine.
- Key Benefits: A perfect partner for teething puppies, offering a robust build that endures through the chewy phase.
- Keep In Mind: While it’s made for chewing enthusiasts, dogs who aren’t as inclined to gnaw might not find it as engaging.
#5. Lickimat UFO
- Suitable for horizontal and vertical use.
- Avoid foods, treats and dog drool spilling with the unique LickiMat catcher design.
- Suitable for all runny treat, bone broth, pates, yoghurt, wet food, raw food, doggie ice cream, and more.
- 10 heavy duty suction cups for maximum adhesion on any flat surface.
- Wet surface for even stronger grip.
- Suitable as a full feeder for small dogs.
- Use in the car, kitchen, outdoors, and even on the floor. Especially suited to showers and baths.
The Lickimat UFO is a great tool to help you handle potentially stressful situations, like grooming or car rides.
It comes with strong suction cups that firmly attach to flat surfaces, like the wall or even the car window.
Just smear a bit of peanut butter* or whatever spreadable treats are your dog’s guilty pleasure, and you’ll find that (hopefully!) his focus will become locked in, allowing you to clip his nails or drive to the veterinary clinic with less fuss.
The compact design is perfect for on-the-go distractions too.
- Key Benefits: Exceptional for keeping Esme still during nail clips and making car rides a smoother experience as she tends to get nervous in the car. Its secure suction hold is reliable on any flat surface.
- Keep In Mind: The only downside is that I have to ensure the surface is clean and smooth enough for the suction cups to work effectively.
#6. Neater Pets Neat-LIK Slow Feeding Pad
- Tray prevents dogs from spreading food outside the pad and onto the floor, and from chewing the pad or carrying it around the house.
- Spreading wet food or treats across the large surface area and numerous nooks and crannies encourages dogs to slow their eating speed.
- Good for dental health as promotes saliva production, helping protect teeth and gums.
- Unique pattern provides fun and challenging experience for dogs to explore with their tongues.
- Top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Made of food-safe and non-toxic TPE that is also recyclable.
If your dog is anything like mine, they might make a bit of a mess when they’re eating.
This is where the Neater Pets Neat-LIK Slow Feeding Pad comes in.
Cleverly designed, it doubles as a lick mat and a slow feeder, complete with a mess-proof tray to keep your floors clean from any spills or crumbs.
The unique pattern will provide your dog with a fun and challenging experience as he works to extract his food from every last nook and cranny.
- Key Benefits: Like a slow feeder and lick mat rolled into one, the mess-proof tray will minimize spillages and keep your floors clean. You could easily use it for all your dog’s meals.
- Keep In Mind: Might be worth buying a pack of two for easier rotation. Hardcore chewers may need to be supervised during use.
#7. Messy Mutts Therapeutic Licking Bowl
- Grooved 10 x 10" silicone mat to prolong feeding.
- Works with kibble, yogurt, wet food, peanut butter, supplements, or any of your dog's favorite treats.
- Effective puppies and all dogs, especially dogs with flat noses.
- Features center bowl that holds up to 1 cup of liquid to incorporate broth, eggs, or yogurt into dog's feeding routine.
- Freezer and microwave safe.
- Grooves and nubs help scrape dog's tongue, assisting with cleaning. Licking action promotes saliva to keep gums and teeth healthy.
- Made from flexible, durable, and food-grade safe silicone.
- BPA- and PVC-free and odor and stain resistant.
- Dishwasher safe.
The Messy Mutts Therapeutic Licking Bowl is perfect for providing a fun and interactive feeding experience for your dog.
The design of the center bowl is such that it can hold up to 1 cup of liquid.
You can fill it with broth, eggs, or yoghurt to really add variety to your feeding routine.
I like this bowl design because I can feed Esme her entire meal in it.
I often freeze her food in the bowl the night before.
This provides her with such an all-consuming challenge that she forgets to go and sniff around the other dogs’ bowls as soon as she has finished inhaling her food.
Which is what she would normally do!
Key Benefits: Suitable for all cats, puppies, and dogs, especially those with flat noses.
Keep In Mind: Does not have suction cups; may not withstand the onslaught from a hardcore chewer.
#8. TYCGGN Dog Lick Bowl
- Can be used almost anywhere. Use it as a floor mat or attach it to the wall.
- Ideal for bath time.
- 2-in-1 slow feeder dog bowl and licking mat design.
- 37 small suction cups on base to prevent dogs from moving or knocking the bowl over while eating.
- Stimulates production of saliva, which helps to clean the inside of dog's mouth.
- Can keep dogs focused and entertained for up to 15 minutes.
- Suitable for spreadable treats, liquids, and wet food, and also drinking water.
- 5.9" size suitable for small- to medium-sized dogs.
The TYCGGN Dog Lick Bowl is another versatile 2-in-1 bowl and licking mat combo.
I found that the 37 suction cups on the bottom grip surfaces smoothly, making this bowl another good choice for high-stress situations like nail clips or trips to the vet.
As per the manufacturer, it can keep dogs busy for up to 15 minutes, although our Esme didn’t quite make it that far.
Nevertheless, this is a great option for feeding your dog both wet and dry food, as well as treats and snacks.
Key Benefits: Suction cups create a stable base for the bowl, allowing dogs to eat or lick without making a mess. Can be used with both wet and dry food or snacks.
Keep In Mind: Compact 5.9″ size is ideal for small to medium dogs but may not fit a larger dog. Be sure to clean the area and use a smooth, flat surface for the suction cups to adhere well.
#9. Mighty Paw Interactive Lick Bowl
- Made with 100% BPA-free, food-grade silicone.
- Smear soft foods like peanut butter, yogurt, pumpkin pure or cottage cheese onto the textured side or use as a slow-feed bowl with wet or raw dog food.
- Mental enrichment for anxious and bored dogs, featuring 2 different modes (stable and wobbly) as well as 4 different textures (easy, fun, anxiety relief and distraction) to match your dog's activity level and mood.
- Promotes overall oral health, healthier gums and teeth, fresher breath.
- Dishwasher-safe silicone for easy cleaning.
- Family owned and operated in USA.
The Mighty Paw Interactive Lick Bowl is another of those ingenious 2-in-1 designs where it doubles as a lick mat and a slow feeder.
The BPA-free silicone is completely food-safe, so you can smear peanut butter*, pumpkin puree, or whatever else your dog loves on the textured side or fill it with wet food.
Either way, this bowl kept Esme happily distracted for several minutes at a time.
What’s really cool is that it features two different modes—stable and wobbly—to match your dog’s energy level.
And with 4 different texture options, I loved that I could choose between easy licking or more of a challenge depending on Esme’s mood.
Key Benefits: The adjustable difficulty levels and dual mat/bowl functions are great for customizing based on your dog’s needs. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Keep In Mind: Make sure to select a sturdy, level surface for the wobbly mode.
#10. Lickimat Yoggie Pot
- Use as a fun and long-lasting distractor and enrichment puzzle for almost all breeds and sizes of dogs.
- Freeze foods to extend licking interaction.
- Suitable for all food types: wet, raw, barf and soaked kibble. Dry kibble can be used when mixed with yoghurt or a similar pet-safe foods. Suitable for use with cheese, sardines, berries, smoothies, fish treats and more.
- Holds half a cup of raw food and makes a perfect interactive feeder for most small dogs.
- Successfully used by breeds ranging from Chihuahuas to Great Danes: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Corgis, Terriers, Cavaliers, Poodles, Irish Wolfhounds and others.
- Dishwasher safe, freezer safe and microwave safe.
- Made from plant based natural rubber: no BPA, PVC, phthalates, silicone, or TPE plastic.
- 100% recyclable and eco-friendly.
Lastly, I couldn’t go without mentioning the Lickimat Yoggie Pot, a versatile licking and feeding tool that transforms feeding time into an interactive game.
Its unique pot shape lets me fill it with wet food, peanut butter*, cream cheese, yogurt—you name it.
I love that I can also freeze food inside to make the licking last even longer.
The half-cup capacity is perfect for small dogs as a full meal.
Key Benefits: Suitable for many food types, breeds, and situations. Freezing food extends engagement time to keep your dog’s brain busy, while the pot shape maximizes the licking surface area.
Keep In Mind: Frozen food inevitably defrosts and can make a bit of a mess. But this won’t be a concern if you have a hard-core licker and chewer like our Esme.
Buying Guide
When searching for the ideal lick mat for your canine companion, consider his unique traits and preferences.
Size: Your dog’s size is a significant factor; larger dogs need sturdier mats or larger lick bowls designed to give them plenty of space to eat and withstand their mighty tongues.
Chewing Preference: If your pup is a heavy chewer, durability should be at the top of your criteria, ensuring the mat endures longer than just a few vigorous sessions.
To make your dog’s lick mat extra challenging, you can always spread it with yoghurt or cream cheese and then pop it in the freezer overnight.
Food Preferences: Another aspect to think about is your dog’s favorite types of treats.
Some mats are specifically tailored to hold either wet or dry treats, or a combination of both.
Easy-To-Clean: Be mindful of how easy the mats are to clean.
If you value convenience, you’ll probably prefer a lick mat that you can easily rinse or throw into the dishwasher.
Behavior and Temperament: Lastly, consider your dog’s behavior and environment.
If your dog gets bored easily, a mat that can provide a challenge or mental stimulation will be beneficial.
For those dogs who need a distraction during stressful situations like grooming or travel, mats that can adhere to upright surfaces could be your go-to solution.
A well-chosen lick mat should be a tool that enriches your dog’s life by slowing down his eating pace, providing enrichment, and reducing anxiety.
Benefits Of Lick Mats
Licking is an essential form of communication for dogs.
It helps them to interact with their surroundings and express their emotions.
The act of licking also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, which can help dogs relax and feel more at ease.
However, excessive licking can become a problem for both dogs and their owners.
It could be a sign of boredom or anxiety, leading to destructive behaviors like chewing and digging.
Provides Physical And Mental Enrichment
A lick mat is a great way to provide your dog with a mental challenge, keeping his mind stimulated and engaged while helping him feel calm and relaxed.
This can be especially beneficial for dogs who spend a lot of time alone at home, as it can help prevent boredom and potential behavior problems.
It’s an easy and low-cost enrichment activity that can keep your dog entertained for extended periods of time.
Can Help Prevent Destructive Behaviors
A lick mat provides an alternative outlet for natural licking behavior in a controlled and beneficial way.
By spreading a thin layer of your dog’s favorite tasty treat on the mat (think peanut butter*, yogurt, cream cheese, chicken-flavor baby food…), you can keep him mentally engaged as he works to lick every last bit.
Can Help Dogs Relax
The repetitive licking motion also has a calming effect on dogs, similar to how humans feel when engaging in activities like knitting or coloring.
This can be especially helpful for anxious dogs who experience fear during loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms or struggle with separation anxiety.
Use As A Training Tool
A lick mat can also be used as a tool for training and behavior modification.
By rewarding your dog with treats on the mat, you can reinforce positive behaviors and redirect negative ones.
For example, if your dog tends to bark excessively when someone comes to the door, place the mat in a quiet area and reward him for calmly licking it instead of barking.
Health Benefits
A lick mat encourages slower eating habits, promoting better digestion.
In can also benefit your dog’s dental health.
The textured surface encourages saliva production, which helps to clean teeth and prevent plaque buildup.
The ridges and grooves also distribute the food treat over a larger area, forcing your dog to work harder and with more purpose.
This helps satisfy his urge to lick while keeping him distracted for longer.
FAQs
What are the benefits of using a lick mat for dogs?
Lick mats can be a fantastic resource for dogs, offering numerous benefits like promoting calmness, reducing anxiety, and providing mental stimulation.
The licking action helps produce saliva which can aid in digestion, while the repetitive motion can soothe your pet, especially during stressful situations like thunderstorms or fireworks.
Moreover, they can slow down eating speed, prevent bloating, and even improve oral health by scraping bacteria from the tongue.
How do I introduce my dog to a lick mat?
Introducing your dog to a lick mat is best done gradually and positively.
Start by allowing him to inspect the mat without any food on it so he can get familiar with its texture and smell.
Then, spread a small amount of something tasty, like peanut butter* or yogurt, on the mat to entice him to use it.
Praise and encourage him gently as he starts to lick off the different foods, helping him associate the mat with a positive and rewarding experience.
Are lick mats safe to use for all dogs?
Generally, lick mats are safe for most dogs; however, supervision is advised to ensure your dog is not chewing or tearing apart the mat.
Some dogs with aggressive chewing habits may need a more durable option like the LickimatTuff Soother.
It’s also important to select a lick mat that is appropriate for your dog’s size and to ensure it is made from non-toxic materials, like food-grade silicone.
Always check the mat’s condition regularly and replace it if it shows signs of damage.
Can I use a lick mat to feed my dog their regular meals?
Yes, lick mats can be used to feed your dog their regular meals, especially wet food or mixtures.
They can slow down the eating process, which is particularly beneficial for dogs that gulp their food quickly and are at risk of choking or digestive problems.
Many lick mats and bowls are designed to accommodate both wet and dry food, adding enrichment to mealtimes and prolonging the eating experience.
How do I clean a lick mat?
Cleaning a lick mat is simple and can be done by rinsing with warm soapy water, or if the product allows, placing it in the dishwasher.
Make sure to remove all food residue to prevent bacterial growth.
Some lick mats come with specific cleaning instructions due to their unique textures or materials, so always check the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain the mat’s integrity and hygiene.
*If you use peanut butter, please make sure it’s xylitol-free: xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs (VCA Animal Hospitals)
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