The Best Dog Lick Mat for Your Furry Friend in 2023
Dogs love hoovering up just about anything you drop on the floor. Not only is it a chance for them to grab something they probably shouldn’t (any time I’m doing anything with yogurt mine stands around hoping I’ll drop the spoon) but it’s obviously really entertaining to them too.
This is why lots of pet parents around the world have gotten their pups a dog lick mat.
These handy mats can help nervous dogs during difficult situations, such as fireworks, a thunderstorm, or having new people in the house. Similar to slow feed bowls, they’re also a great way to slow your pup down when they’re gulping up their favorite treats.
Our canine testers licked their way through more than 10 dog lick mats so that we could offer you the best on the market. Which one are you going to go for?
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- Machine Washable
- Microwavable/Freezable for extra fun
- Attaches to different surfaces
- Durable Materials
- Keeps dogs entertained
- Good for spreads, wet food, treats, and dry food
- Fun design
- Dishwasher safe
- Keeps dogs entertained for ages
What Exactly Is a Dog Lick Mat?
Dog lick mats are usually around the size of a plate. They can be all different shapes and colors and all have some kind of design on them to make snack time more fun. These designs are usually made up of plastic, silicone, or rubber nubs that your pup has to lick around to get all the delicious food you’ve smeared on top.
It’s a great way of adding mental stimulation to your pup’s day, slowing them down, and offering some doggy enrichment.
Most pups are motivated by food (especially cheese) so lick mats can also be a great distraction. This is particularly useful if you have an anxious dog that doesn’t like vet visits, bath time, or things changing in their environment. There are loads of great lick mat recipes that help add nutrients to your dog’s diet and keep them entertained.
Top 6 Dog Lick Mats to Keep Your Furry Friend Entertained
We’ve selected a good mix of licking mats so you can choose the perfect one for your doggo.
Aquapaw Slow Treater Lick Mat
This is such a great lick mat for bath times, grooming, or distracting your pooch. They’ll enjoy licking their favorite treat!
This is a really popular small lick mat that’s suitable for most breeds and is even a good option for puppies. It’s available in two shapes – triangular or square.
One of the main reasons we love this mat is that it’s also freezer safe, meaning you can spread dog yogurt, cream cheese, and their favorite fruit blended (we like apple and pineapple) and freeze it. You can then watch your dog licking it off for an even longer time.
It’s 100% FDA silicone meaning it’s safe, waterproof and ideal for baths. It also has suction cups that can be attached to any surface to keep the mat in place.
Positives
- Dishwasher safe
- Great reviews
- Microwavable and freezable
- Tip-resistant
- Suitable for all breeds
Negatives
- Some reviews (very few) suggest the suction isn’t as strong as other licking mats
LickiMat Buddy Dog Lick Mat
Available in different sizes and colors, this is a great mat to help keep your pup calm and entertained. They’ll love it!
This is an all-around great licking mat for dogs looking for a bit more entertainment at snack time. Just add your pup’s favorite fruit, such as strawberries or peach, or their favorite spread like yogurt and peanut butter, and watch them lick it all up!
It’s made from durable, food-safe rubber that has specially designed Xs to keep your pup intrigued and stimulated. Some reviews even claim that their dogs are entertained for 30 mins!
This dog lick mat promotes slower eating which can help prevent severe conditions such as bloat. The yummy licking also produces saliva which can help with dental hygiene.
Positives
- There’s also an extra large LickiMat for big dogs
- Durable and safe materials
- Thought-through design
- Good for canned dog food and wet dog food and dry dog food
Negatives
- Handwash only (although some users say there’s no problem putting it in the dishwasher)
SodaPup Duckies Dog Lick Mat
This is a really fun mat that’s designed with adorable rubber duckies! Your dog will love scooping out their favorite spreads.
When it comes to fun and unique designs for your dog’s lick mat, you can’t get better than SodaPup. This design features overlapping rubber duckies – perfect for smearing your dog’s favorite treat!
This is a large mat suitable for big dogs who like to lick. One of the best features of this mat is the multiple suckers it has on the back. This means it can be stuck to bathtubs, refrigerators, and some floors. It’s perfect for bath time and to stop your pooch from sliding all over the place.
It helps to calm down nervous pups and is suitable for canned, dry, and wet food, as wells as spreads and watered-down treats.
Positives
- Dishwasher safe
- Multiple suction cups for varied use
- Fun design
- Made from BPA-free rubber
- Top shelf dishwasher safe
Negatives
- Only available in large
Hyper Pet IQ Banquet Lick Mat
A wonderful and stimulating dog lick mat that’s great for large and small dogs.
This is a really good mat for particularly anxious dogs (and cats for that matter). The four sections are designed differently, meaning it’s a little trickier for pups which tends to keep them entertained for longer.
This is a great option on nights like the 4th of July when you know there are going to be fireworks or when a thunderstorm is rolling in.
Dogs can sometimes get destructive or even aggressive when they’re nervous, so a calming mat to distract them is a great idea.
It’s made from durable plastic so can withstand lots of licking and entertainment. It’s also suitable for small, medium, and large doggos.
Positives
- Great for calming your pup’s nerves
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- Good for large and smaller dogs
- Helps to improve your pooch’s breath and oral hygiene
Negatives
- Does not have suction cups on the back
Frisco Silicone Lick Mat
This is a really fun mat that your pup will love. It helps with portion control and to relax your anxious pooch.
Dogs love peanut butter. And what better way to let them enjoy it than spread on a fun mat like this one? The Frisco Lick Mat has a fun and unique design to keep pups entertained and distracted during grooming sessions, loud noises, or bath time.
It’s made from BPA-free materials to ensure it’s safe for your pooch and that it’s sturdy. This mat measures 8 inches by 8 inches, so is ideal for small and medium-sized breeds. It can also really help with portion control and is a great option for fresh dog food too.
Positives
- Dishwasher safe
- Fun design
- Suction cups on back
- Perfect for food-motivated dogs
- Great reviews from dog owners
- Competitive price
Negatives
- Not suitable for large pups
- Not made in the USA
Lick Lick Pad Dog Distraction Lick Mat
This mat sticks to numerous different surfaces – without suction cups! It’s really fun and adaptable to different situations.
This is a really great licking mat that sticks to almost any surface (including glass, porcelain, tile, and granite) without the need for suction cups. It’s available in 2 colors depending on your taste and is suitable for all breeds regardless of size.
This mat is perfect for bath time and grooming sessions. Pups will love to be distracted as they lick their favorite foods – they’ll hardly notice you’ve got the brush out!
It’s suitable for spreads, homemade treats, wet food, and moistened dry food. It can also help with portion control and pups will eat slower, making them feel fuller.
Positives
- Great for sticking on many different surfaces
- Competitive price
- Dishwasher safe
- Made from lead-free and BPA-free silicone and plastic
- Good for all breeds at all stages of life
Negatives
- Some owners mention that the plastic is very thin and can be a bit flimsy. It can also easily be chewed if you have a big chewer! You could get them an indestructible dog toy instead.
Do Lick Mats for Dogs Really Work?
Yes! Lick mats really do work and they’re a great way of making snack time fun. We must admit, we were a little dubious about whether they would work or not. Our pups are fast eaters and we thought this would be way too easy for them.
But it did work!
They really slowed down and it was a great distraction for them. They were so invested and intrigued by licking up every last bit of peanut butter that they didn’t pay much attention to anything else going on in the room. Lots of owners use interactive mats and toys to help curb undesired behavior, such as when dogs scratch the carpet.
What To Look for When Buying a Lick Mat for Dogs
There are so many lick mats out there and it’s important you choose one that’s going to last a long time and that’s practical. Here are a couple of the most important things to think about.
Durability
Dogs are excitable creatures, especially when their favorite food is involved. This is why it’s important that a lick mat is sturdy and can stand the test of time. You don’t want your pup scratching or biting and destroying it in the first use.
Suction Cups
These are really useful when it comes to practicality. Suction cups on the bottom of the lick mat stop it from sliding on most floors and surfaces. Trust us, if you have a slippery floor and you don’t want your pup and their peanut butter spread zooming around your house, check for suction cups.
Dishwasher Safe
Anything that involves licking, food, and doggy saliva needs to be dishwashable. Well, not need, but it will certainly save you some time. Any that are not dishwasher safe should be thoroughly washed in between use to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Size of Lick Mat
It’s important to get a lick mat that’s an appropriate size for your pooch (and its mouth). Larger dogs will obviously need a larger mat that can accommodate more food too. You may want to think about flat-faced doggos and certain lick mats that will be easier for them to eat from.
Purpose of Lick Mat
Some lick mats are designed for specific uses. For instance, if your pup gets particularly nervous around bath time, you’ll want a lick mat that is waterproof and that can stick to the wall.
What’s the Difference Between a Lick Mat and a Puzzle Toy?
Both puzzle toys and lick mats are great ways to keep your pups engaged and entertained. Lick mats are usually easier and a bit more ‘obvious’ (it’s about your pup licking up all the delicious spread). Puzzle toys, however, can sometimes be more difficult.
Some can be all about licking, but others may encourage your pooch to lift up hatches or work out how to get the treat inside. They’re both great ways of keeping your dog mentally stimulated.
Conclusion – Should You Get Your Pooch a Dog Lick Mat?
If you have a nervous dog or a pup that loves to gobble down their snacks, a lick mat could be a great solution. They help to calm dogs, slow down mealtimes, and keep them entertained. All the lick mats on this list are great for distracting them from stressful situations (whether that be thunder or the nail clippers).
It’s important to get one that’s tested, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth. As always, monitor your pooch whilst they’re using it – anything that can be chewed could be a potential choking hazard!
