Ultimate Guide to Dog Lick Mats
We were all new to dog enrichment toys at some point and if you’re in the same boat, wondering what all the fuss about dog lick mats is, you’ve come to the right place! These enriching tools are one of the best ways to entertain and soothe your furry friend. They turn mealtime or treat time into a stimulating experience, boasting unique, textured surfaces designed to challenge and engage your dog’s senses.
Lick mats can also be used as a distraction for dogs during stressful activities, helping with anxiety reduction, especially for an anxious dog. This makes them a practical tool for calming your pet during events like baths, thunderstorms or fireworks.
Sound like something your pup would enjoy? Especially covered in peanut butter and treats? We thought so. Not only do lick mats provide dogs with mental stimulation, but they can also help with anxiety and promote healthier eating habits. Dog-safe spreads suitable for lick mats include peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free), plain Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, and wet dog food.
It’s also super fun as a dog parent to experiment with different lick mat recipes and discover which one your canine companion loves best! Using your dog's favourite treat on the lick mat can make the experience even more enjoyable for them.
What are Dog Lick Mats?
Lick mats are a fun twist on traditional treat-dispensing toys. Picture a mat covered in a variety of fun textures and grooves, including deep grooves that make the licking experience more challenging and engaging for your dog. Now imagine those grooves filled with your dog’s favourite treats and spreadable goodies. We’re talking peanut butter, pumpkin butter, frozen yoghurt, kibble, apple, banana, chicken and everything else your dog loves.
The delicious treats, when mixed together on the lick mat, creates an interactive experience for your furry friend. It’s your dog’s job to use their tongue to work the tasty morsels out of the nooks and crannies. The scraping action of a dog's tongue against the textured mat even helps tp remove food particles and bacteria, promoting better oral hygiene. It’s both stimulating and entertaining for your dog, as the textures encourage them to lick, lick and lick some more!
Lick mats for dogs come in all shapes, sizes and colours, so you can pick one that best suits your pup’s size and personality. There are a ton of options available, and you’ll notice differences in design and features among various lick mats. Trust us, whether it’s a quiet afternoon treat to settle them down or a reward after a well-behaved walk, every dog will find lick mats a playful and engaging experience.
What are the Benefits of Lick Mats for Dogs?
Sure, lick mats for dogs look cool, but they’re actually packed with more benefits than you might think. For starters, lick mats are fantastic for mental stimulation. As your dog works to lick out their goodies from the different nooks and crannies of the mat’s texture, their brain gets a workout. It’s like a puzzle wrapped in a delicious snack! It’s mental challenges like this that help keep our dogs smart and focused.
Lick mats can also do wonders for stressed and anxious dogs, making them a great tool for anxiety reduction. Did you know licking has a soothing effect on dogs? Much like how a warm bath or a scented candle makes us calm, licking is an instinctive behaviour for dogs that will naturally relax them. The primary behavioural benefit of a lick mat is its calming effect, created by the repetitive licking motion that releases endorphins and serotonin, which help calm anxious or stressed dogs.
So, when your pup is licking away like crazy on their lick mat, they’re also easing their anxiety and stress. Lick mats can help reduce anxiety and stress during events like thunderstorms, fireworks, grooming sessions or vet visits, and can also help alleviate separation anxiety. And a calm dog is a happy dog!
Lick mats can also promote slower eating. We get it, we love food too. But when your dog scarfs down their kibble like it’s a race, they put themselves at risk of choking and digestive issues such as gas, bloating, belching, vomiting and diarrhoea. And we don’t want that, thank you! Instead, by spreading their meal or treats onto a lick mat, you’re slowing them down and preventing that “I-ate-too-fast” bellyache. Slow feeder bowls are another effective tool for extending mealtime and providing mental stimulation, helping to prevent gulping and promote healthy digestion.
Finally, lick mats are just plain fun. It’s easy to forget when exploring enrichment toys, but these tools are fun for you and your dog. They come in various shapes, sizes and textures, which means you can keep things fresh and exciting. There are also different difficulties, so once your dog has mastered one, you can level the dog lick mat up to make it harder and more rewarding for them!
Plastic vs Rubber Lick Mats
You might not think it, but the material your dog’s lick mat is made from can make a big difference to how they experience it. Plastic lick mats are often praised for their durability and ease of cleaning. They’re typically made from food-grade materials that can withstand the rigours of an enthusiastic tongue!
Take the LickiMat Slodog Enrichment Lick Mat for example. This one is made from a hard plastic and has deeper grooves for harder difficulty. It works just as well as a slow feeder as a lick mat, plus it’s super easy to clean, being dishwasher safe on the top rack.
It can also be placed in the freezer or microwave. Some dogs may become frustrated with mats that have complex textures or deep grooves, so simpler options may be better for those pups.
Many plastic lick mats are top rack dishwasher safe, making cleaning quick and convenient. Just look for mats labelled as rack dishwasher safe or top rack dishwasher safe for the best results.
However, be aware that the design, especially the corners, can trap food and make cleaning more challenging, sometimes requiring a brush to reach those spots. Some lick mats can even be boiled in scalding water for deep cleaning, but always check if the material is suitable for this method. Cleaning lick mats after each use is important, especially if used with raw food, to prevent bacterial growth.
Rubber lick mats, on the other hand, offer a bit more flexibility and can be more resilient to wear and tear. Since they’re more pliable, they’re easier to handle and less prone to cracking. Food grade silicone is an excellent material as it's safe for contact with food (but not for ingestion), durable, and easy to clean, often being top rack dishwasher safe and suitable for use in the microwave or freezer too!
Rubber and silicone lick mats can be particularly handy in scenarios where you want the mat to stick to surfaces other than the floor. Ensuring the mat is securely attached to the surface, like a window or bath rub, helps prevent slipping and keeps your dog safe and engaged.
Our pups love the suction cup design of the Duckies Design Suction Cup Lick Mat from Sodapup. It sticks perfectly to the edge of the bath, making bathtime more fun and enjoyable. You can also stick it to kitchen tiles, the fridge or a patio window!
Our Favourite Dog Lick Mat Brands
As you might have already noticed, there's no shortage of lick mats for dogs out there so it's understandable if you feel a little overwhelmed with choice. To help you make the right decision for you and your pup, let us highlight the best of the best in lick mats for your furry friends.
SodaPup
One of our best-selling lick mat brands for good reason, SodaPup has made it their mission to enrich the lives of our dogs through high-quality and innovative enrichment products. They focus largely on durability, safety and sustainability using only non-toxic, food-grade TPR rubber that is BPA-free and pet-safe.
In making a fair comparison with other brands, SodaPup stands out for its commitment to quality materials and unique designs, but it's important to objectively consider features like texture variety, ease of cleaning, and price when evaluating different lick mats for dogs.
Their product line includes a variety of fun chew toys, treat-dispensing dog toys, slow feeders and dog lick mats. They come in an array of colours and designs; the lick mats are especially cool with funky imagery created through the different textures. We mentioned previously that some of SodaPup’s lick mats arrive with suction cups on the back, making them perfect for sticking to hard surfaces – the door or wall included.
SodaPup Bones Slow Feeder Lick Mat
We love the SodaPup Bones Slow Feeder Lick Mat. It’s a good option for beginners due to its affordability and practicality, offering a simple but eye-catching bone pattern that isn’t too deep, yet still provides a challenge for your pup.
Available in red or purple, it can hold a spread of treats like peanut butter, yoghurt or wet dog food and will keep your dog happily occupied while they work to lick every last bit out of the grooves! It’s also dishwasher safe and perfectly sized to slide into the freezer to make your lick mat recipe last even longer.
SodaPup Air Design Snack Sized Durable Lick Mat
For smaller pups or just a midday snack, SodaPup Air Design Snack Sized Durable Lick Mat is perfect for canines who need a little more entertainment.
It's great for spreading dog-friendly peanut butter, banana, or yoghurt. This toy is just under 13 cm in diameter, making it perfect for enrichment toys for small-breed dogs or puppies.
Lickimat
As their name suggests, LickiMat specialises in lick mats for dogs. They believe your dog’s daily routine should be fun and enriching, and that’s made all the easier with their products. Their mats feature various textures and patterns to encourage licking which in turn reduces stress, slows down eating and promotes oral health.
Note: When choosing or using LickiMat products, always consider your dog's chewing habits and supervise initial use to ensure safety. The LickiMat Classic Soother is recommended for its simplicity and effectiveness in calming dogs. All their lick mats are made from durable, non-toxic materials and are easily cleaned in a dishwasher or by hand!
Lickimat Wobble Lick Bowl & Slow Feeder
Another popular lick pad for dogs is the Lickimat Wobble Lick Bowl & Slow Feeder. We’d suggest this one for lick mat pros, because not only does the textured surface require plenty of licking to get any spreads and treats onto the tongue, but the bowl wobbles, making it even harder and all the more fun!
Regular use of this lick mat can help manage the course of behavioural issues, such as anxiety or boredom, and support oral health over time by encouraging licking, which promotes saliva production and helps clean the tongue and gums. It also works great with all sorts of healthy pet-approved treats including Lickimat’s own Handbaked Crushed biscuits which would work great scattered over peanut butter or yoghurt.
Lickimat Slomo Enrichment Lick Mat
Lickmat also has their Slomo Enrichment Lick Mat, another boredom buster that works for both dogs and cats. It has four different textures in one, so even if your dog is a real brainiac, they'll have to think hard on how to navigate each textured corner.
It's also dishwasher safe and a good one for enthusiastic chewers, made from a durable, chew-resistant material. There's no shortage of colours to choose from, so you can find a dog lick mat that suits your pup's personality.
Honourable Mentions
Project Hive Dog Disc Frisbee & Lick Mat
If you've been a dog parent for some time now, you'll know how convenient dual-purpose enrichment toys for dogs can be. One of our favourites is the Hive Dog Disc & Lick Mat. It's not only a treat mat but also a frisbee!
One side is smooth, allowing it to soar through the air for fetch sessions, while the other side is textured and can be smothered with your dog's favourite treats. It's perfect for those dogs with lots of energy that need both physical and mental stimulation. Plus, Project Hive has a scented version for dogs that love a game of scent work!
Hug Smart’s Pizza Slow Feeder Lick Mat for Dogs
All our dogs have given us the puppy eyes once or twice while we're enjoying a pizza, and although they can't quite eat this type of human food, we can at least treat them to a fun pizza-shaped lick mat!
Hug Smart's Pizza Slow Feeder Lick Mat is a super cute lick pad for small dogs, cleverly textured with its own toppings. For a fun treat, make your own dog pizza by spreading some cream cheese or yoghurt on the base and topping it with chicken, salmon and maybe even a small sprinkle of low-fat cheese!
Dog Safe Foods to Use on Lick Mats
Part of the fun of using dog lick mats comes from the never-ending range of recipe combinations you can create! Just remember, all dogs are different so it’s good to know what your dog likes and what foods they might be intolerant to.
When you fill lick mats, use small amounts of various foods and liquids to create enjoyable and safe treats but moderation is key to prevent overfeeding or spills. To give you some ideas on the types of foods you can use on lick mats, here are some of our pups’ favourites.
Sweet Treats:
- Peanut Butter (unsalted, no xylitol): Dogs love the taste and texture, making it a perfect treat.
- Pumpkin Puree: Rich in fibre and vitamins, plus it’s great for your dog’s digestion.
- Greek Yogurt: High in protein and probiotics but ensure it’s plain and unsweetened. Plain, unsweetened yogurt is a great filling that provides probiotics for dogs.
- Applesauce (unsweetened): A tasty and healthy option, rich in vitamins.
- Banana Mash: Simply mash a ripe banana for a sweet and nutritious treat.
- Canned Pumpkin: Use as a single ingredient filling and freeze for a cool treat.
- Strawberries: Blend and pour onto the mat for a refreshing, fruity snack.
- Honey: A vitamin-rich filling that’s packed with nutrients beneficial for dogs.
Savoury Snacks:
- Cottage Cheese: Low in fat and high in protein, it’s a delicious and nutritious option.
- Wet Dog Food: Spread their favourite wet food for a familiar and satisfying meal.
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Packed with nutrients and easy to digest.
- Chicken or Beef Broth (low sodium): Pour a bit over the mat and freeze for a longer-lasting treat. Dog bone broth can also be poured onto lick mats and frozen to create a tasty treat for dogs. Frozen lick mats filled with broth provide an especially refreshing treat for dogs on hot days.
- Sardine Paste: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it’s great for your dog’s skin and coat.
When you fill lick mats, you can use liquids like broth or blended fruits, or soft foods like yogurt and pumpkin. To feed your dog, simply spread or pour the filling onto the mat, freeze if desired, and serve. Always use appropriate foods to avoid surprise health issues or trouble, such as digestive upset or toxicity as some foods can cause serious problems if not chosen carefully.
Conclusion
Hopefully, even those of you totally new to dog lick mats, now have plenty of knowledge to go forth and create your own! They are perfect for your furry friend, especially if they’re a fast eater or get a little nervous, as the licking will help reduce their anxiety.
Lick mats are also great brain teasers and will keep your canine companion mentally stimulated. By spreading various dog safe foods across the mat like peanut butter, pumpkin puree or even wet dog food, you can provide both a nutritional and enriching experience for your pooch.
Explore our extensive range of lick mats for dogs available at WOOOF.co.uk to find the perfect one today!
The Author: Charlotte Harris
Charlotte has been a writer and dog owner her whole life, so combining these two things together is a dream come true. Her greatest love is her oversized Golden Retriever, Milo, who has a love of tough chews and anything filled with peanut butter!
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Are Lick Mats Safe for Puppies?
Yes, lick mats are safe for puppies! We recommend looking out for small lick mats perfect for little tongues and then as they grow, you can upgrade to more challenging mats to keep things fun and engaging.
Note: Always supervise your dog when they’re using their lick mat to ensure safety, especially with puppies who may chew or try to eat the mat. Only use mats made from materials that are safe for contact with food, and avoid any products not specifically labelled as food-grade.
How Do I Clean a Lick Mat?
Cleaning lick mats is generally super easy. Simply wash it with warm, soapy water to remove any residue. However, food can sometimes get stuck in the corners of some mats, making cleaning more challenging and requiring extra effort or a brush. Owners may notice residue or buildup in these hard-to-reach areas, so it's important to pay extra attention when cleaning.
Many of the lick mats available here at WOOOF.co.uk are even dishwasher safe so you can just pop them on the top rack and let modern technology do the work for you!
Can You Freeze a Lick Mat?
Absolutely! In fact, we highly recommend freezing your dog’s lick mat to make the tail-wagging treat last even longer. This not only extends the fun but also helps keep your pup cool on hot days.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to add an extra challenge and enrichment to their treat time! After your dog enjoys a frozen lick mat treat, be sure to allow them to rest to help prevent any digestive issues.
