Does your dog seem stressed or overly anxious? Do they have a hard time staying still for you to bathe them or cut their nails? If this sounds like your pup, a dog lick mat may be just what you need.
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Related: Best Calming Treats For Dogs With Anxiety
What Is A Dog Lick Mat?
A dog lick mat is a mat with either grooves or nubs sticking out or a combination of grooves and nubs that you fill or smear with food. Your dog then has to work to get the food out of or off of the mat, usually by licking it.
Who Is A Lick Mat Good For?
A lick mat is good for dogs who:
- Are stressed.
- Have anxiety.
- Don’t like to take a bath.
- Won’t sit still to have their nails cut.
- Are bored.
- Need to be occupied to avoid a certain behavior.
Are Licking Mats Good For Dogs?
Lick mats are good for dogs because they provide a variety of benefits for your dog. They:
- Promote the release of relaxing endorphins from your dog’s licking.
- Stimulate saliva production which helps to break down bacteria in the mouth.
- Help to clean teeth as your dog’s teeth rub up against the nubs of the mat as they lick.
- Keep your dog preoccupied and calm when you need to groom them.
- Help to redirect unwanted behavior.
- Can act as a slow feeder, increasing the amount of time it takes for your dog to eat. This can help with decreasing the likelihood of developing serious conditions like bloat.
Are Lick Mats Mentally Stimulating?
Lick mats can be mentally stimulating for a dog. They have to spend time working to get the food. This is especially true if you get a lick mat with various types of textures they need to work at to get their food.
Are Lick Mats Good For Separation Anxiety?
Lick mats can definitely help dogs who experience separation anxiety. They help to keep your dog occupied and free from boredom when you are not there.
Supervised use in the beginning is recommended to be sure they won’t destroy it when your are not there.
Can I Leave My Dog Alone With A Lick Mat?
As mentioned above, you may want to start with supervised sessions, especially when you are first starting to use a mat.
If your dog is a chewer, a lick mat may not be the best idea for your pup. They are very easy to chew through.
Your dog may be tempted to start eating the mat, since it has food on it to begin with. So they are definitely not recommended if your dog likes to chew.
That said, if you have done trials with your dog and they are not chewers, it should be ok to leave your dog alone with a mat, but it is best if they are supervised just in case.
How Do I Choose A Lick Mat?
There are several options of lick mats available to choose from.
First, determine the type of dog you have and what their needs are. Are they chewers? Look for a mat made of a durable material, like rubber (although this can still be chewed through). Do they gulp down their food? Choose a mat with deep grooves to make your dog work harder for their food. Are they bored easily? Pick a mat that has different textures so they can figure out how to get the food off each surface.
Next, determine why you want to use the mat. This will help you to figure out the features you need to look for.
Features
- Suction. Some mats have suction cups on the back. This allows you to either keep the mat on the floor, which allows your dog to lick without the mat moving around the floor, or to put it on a wall or refrigerator (or other surface that suits your needs) so you can bathe them or perform other grooming activities. The negative to having suction on the back of the mat is that it suctions to everything. So if you put the mat down to fill it, it will stick to whatever surface you put it on, making it difficult to lift up once it’s filled, potentially causing a big mess. It can also stick to the sink as you wash it.
- Food Grade Material. Most lick mats are made of a food grade silicone or rubber. This is important to look for since your dog is licking it (and potentially eating it if they like to chew).
- Size And Shape. Lick mats come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose one that fits the size of your dog and what you will be using it for.
- Cleaning. Lick mats can be very difficult to clean. There are a lot of little crevices that can allow for food to get stuck. You may want to soak it before washing. Most (but not all) are dishwasher safe. Always check the mat when you remove it from the dishwasher, as it is possible that not all the food is cleaned off.
- Freezer Safe. If you plan on creating some frozen treats for your dog, make sure the mat you choose is freezer safe.
What Can I Put On A Lick Mat?
These are a ton of options that you can put on a dog lick mat. Spreadable, dog safe foods are best and can include:
- Peanut Butter.
- Plain Greek Yogurt.
- A small amount of low fat plain Cream Cheese.
- Pumpkin.
- Wet dog food.
- Banana.
- Puréed vegetables.
- Unsweetened, plain applesauce.
Food can also be frozen to increase the time it takes for your dog to lick the food off.
Can You Put Dry Food On A Lick Mat?
It is possible to use dry food on a lick mat.
If your mat has grooves, the kibble is small, and you are using it on the floor, you can just put the food onto the mat.
Another option is to mix the dry food with the wet, spreadable food you are using. This can help the dry food stay in place on the mat.
You can also crumble up the dry food and sprinkle it onto the mat.
When Should I Use My Dog’s Lick Mat?
A dog lick mat can be used anytime you need to keep your dog occupied or to help keep them calm.
This can be when:
- Bathing.
- Cutting nails.
- Company comes over.
- You are cleaning the house.
- To prevent your dog from being destructive in the house.
- You want to provide some mental stimulation for your dog.
- To entertain your dog to keep them from being bored.
How Long Should A Dog Use A Lick Mat?
This depends on what you are using the dog lick mat for. If you are feeding your dog on it to slow down their eating time, it may take a while for them to finish it.
When using it to help keep your dog calm during grooming sessions, you may want to only use enough food to get them through the session.
If you are using a lick mat as a treat or to relieve boredom, it depends on how much you put on the mat and how long it takes for them to lick it off.
Generally speaking, at most it should take your dog up to a half hour to get all the food off the mat.
Pros Of A Dog Lick Mat
- Easy to use.
- Reduces anxiety.
- Prevents boredom.
- Improves dental hygiene.
- Reduces gulping of food.
Cons Of A Dog Lick Mat
- Can be difficult to clean.
- Easily chewed.
- Suction can stick to all surfaces.
Which Is The Best Dog Lick Mat?
These are our top 5 dog lick mats. We have included different types of lick mats to give you an idea of what’s available for your dog.
Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Each of these can be difficult to clean and are not recommended to be used by chewers.
Best Classic Dog Lick Mat
Coomazy Lick Mat For Dogs
This is a classic lick mat, with three different textures to spread food on. There are suction cups on the back and is dishwasher safe.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Measures 7.8 x 7.8 inches.
- Three textures.
- Large suction cups on the back.
- Attaches to smooth surfaces such as tile, marble, glass, and metal.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Comes with a cleaning brush.
- Made of food grade silicone.
- BPA free.
- Phthalate free.
- Flexible.
- Waterproof.
Pros/Cons:
- Easy to clean.
- Suction works well.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Shaped Dog Lick Mat
Raw Paws Lick Pad Mat For Dogs
Lick mats can come on different shapes in addition to the standard square. This one is paw shaped with two textured surfaces. It comes in a pack of 2 and is also dishwasher safe.
- Comes in the shape of a dog paw.
- Measures 7 x 7 inches.
- 2 different textured surfaces.
- Food grade silicone.
- Non-toxic.
- BPA free.
- Phthalate free.
- Comes in a pack of 2 mats.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Sticks to any flat surface.
Pros/Cons:
- Suction works well.
- Easy to spread food on.
- Cleans well.
- Not good for chewers.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Dog Lick Mat For A Dog Crate
Dog Crate Lick Pads
This dog lick mat is made to be used with a wire crate. Check the measurements before purchasing to be sure it will fit the crate you are using. This mat is freezer and dishwasher safe.
- Works with dog crates with a 1.2-2 inch space between wires and and a wire diameter of <0.2 inches.
- Freezer safe.
- Measures 5.9 x 5.9 inches.
- Non-slip pads.
- Comes with a cleaning brush.
- Food grade.
- Non-toxic.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Microwave safe.
Pros/Cons:
- Stays secure to the dog crate.
- Durable.
- Easy to clean.
- Does not work with all crate types.
Check Price At: Amazon
Best Dog Lick Mat Bowl
LickiMat Wobble Slow Feeder Lick Mat
This bowl shaped lick mat wobbles to provide an extra challenge for your dog.
- Comes in various colors.
- Measures 6.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Freezer safe.
- Microwave safe.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Non-toxic.
- Made of rubber.
- Silicone free.
- BPA free.
- PVA free.
- Recyclable.
Pros/Cons:
- Not good for chewers.
- Can be hard to clean.
Best Dog Lick Mat Without Suction
MessyMutts Silicone Therapeutic Licking Bowl
Sometimes you don’t want to deal with the hassle of having suction cups on your mat. This one is suction cup free and has a built-in bowl that can hold up to 1 cup of liquid.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Measures 10 x 10 inches.
- Center bowl can hold up to 1 cup of liquid.
- Food grade silicone.
- Odor and stain resistant.
- Dishwasher safe.
- BPA free.
- PVC free.
- Freezer safe.
Pros/Cons:
- Easy to clean.
- Good size.
Check Price At: Amazon
Bonus Dog Lick Mat
Made In The USA Dog Lick Mat
Hyper Pet IQ Treat Lick Mat
For those that prefer to use Made in the USA products, Hyper Pet IQ Lick Mats are for you. They offer a variety of shapes and sizes to suit your lick mat needs.
- Available in different shapes and colors.
- Comes in various sizes.
- Large measures 11 x 11 inches.
- Medium measures 8 x 8 inches.
- Disc measures 8 x 8 inches.
- Bowl measures 8 x 8 inches.
- Freezer safe.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Made of food grade material.
- Non-toxic.
- Made in the USA.
Pros/Cons:
- No suction, so it moves around while the dog is using it.
- Can be hard to clean.
- Not for chewers.
Check Price At: Amazon
Dog lick mats can provide your dog with much needed anxiety relief to help with grooming, boredom, and stress.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.