Lick Mats for Dogs: Best Uses, Safe Fillings, Benefits and Buying Guide

A lick mat is a simple dog enrichment product that can be surprisingly useful. It doesn’t need batteries, complicated moving parts or an expensive collection of accessories. Just a suitable mat, a little food and a dog who enjoys licking.

I’ve worked with dogs around Finchley and North London since 2011, and I’ve learnt that enrichment doesn’t need to be difficult to be worthwhile.

Sometimes the simplest activities are the most practical.

A lick mat can turn part of a normal meal into a more interesting activity, offer something enjoyable during quiet time and give dogs another way to explore food.

However, lick mats are not suitable for every dog, and they certainly aren’t a magic solution for anxiety or unwanted behaviour.

In this guide, I’ll explain how they work, when I would use one, which foods are suitable, how to choose a mat and the mistakes worth avoiding.

Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products that I consider relevant and suitable for the purpose described.

What is a lick mat for dogs?

A lick mat is a flat or shallow feeding surface, usually made from food-grade silicone or rubber, with raised patterns, grooves or small textured sections.

You spread a thin layer of suitable soft food across the surface. Your dog then uses their tongue to reach the food between the patterns.

Unlike a normal bowl, where soft food can disappear in a few mouthfuls, a lick mat encourages your dog to spend a little longer working through it.

Lick mats are a form of food-based enrichment.

They can encourage natural licking behaviour and make ordinary feeding more interesting.

Dogs Trust’s guide to enrichment activities includes lick mats among its suggestions for providing dogs with safe, enjoyable activities.

For more ideas, see my practical guide to dog enrichment.

What are the benefits of lick mats?

1. They can encourage a quieter activity

Licking is a normal behaviour for dogs.

Some dogs seem to enjoy a familiar licking activity, especially when they’re already in a comfortable environment.

That makes lick mats useful during periods when you want to offer something quieter than an energetic game.

However, don’t assume licking automatically makes every dog relaxed.

Watch your dog’s body language. Relaxed posture, a comfortable pace and the ability to stop are more useful indicators than how long they keep licking.

2. They make food last a little longer

A dog who finishes their wet food very quickly may spend longer eating the same portion when it’s spread across a lick mat.

You don’t necessarily need to add extra treats.

I would start with part of the dog’s normal food allowance, particularly if they’re already receiving treats during walks or training.

My Ditch the Bowl at Mealtimes guide explains how ordinary meals can become enrichment opportunities.

3. They provide gentle mental engagement

Not every enrichment activity needs to involve running, jumping or solving a difficult puzzle.

A lick mat gives a dog a simple task that involves their senses and natural feeding behaviour.

This can be particularly useful when energetic activities aren’t appropriate.

4. They offer variety

Dogs benefit from having suitable opportunities to sniff, search, chew, lick, play and rest.

A lick mat offers one option among many.

I wouldn’t replace walks, sniffing opportunities, companionship or other enrichment activities with a lick mat.

Think of it as another useful tool, not the entire enrichment programme.

5. They can help make familiar routines more enjoyable

Some dogs enjoy a lick mat after a walk, during a quiet afternoon or as part of a predictable evening routine.

Others prefer a stuffed Kong, a food search or simply their ordinary dinner bowl.

The best activity is the one that suits the dog in front of you.

The best times to use a lick mat

After a walk

After an enjoyable sniffing walk, some dogs are ready to rest.

Offering a small lick mat in a familiar, quiet space can be one way to support that transition.

I would avoid giving it to a dog who is still highly excited, panting heavily or struggling to settle.

Give them time to cool down, drink, and relax first.

On rainy days

Some days, the weather limits what we can sensibly do outdoors.

A lick mat can provide a short indoor activity without requiring much space.

It’s particularly handy alongside gentle scent games and other indoor enrichment.

For puppies

Puppies are learning about the world, and food enrichment can provide useful opportunities to explore.

Choose a shallow, appropriately sized mat with a simple texture.

Start with a very small amount of familiar puppy food.

Supervise carefully because puppies may decide that chewing the mat is more interesting than licking it.

Don’t make the activity difficult simply to keep a puppy occupied longer. Puppies also need plenty of uninterrupted rest.

For senior dogs

Older dogs may appreciate enrichment that doesn’t require lots of movement.

A stable lick mat placed at a comfortable height can be useful for dogs who find bending, standing or moving around more difficult.

Avoid forcing a dog to stretch their neck or remain standing.

If your older dog has dental pain, difficulty swallowing, changes in appetite or other health concerns, speak to your vet before introducing new feeding activities.

For nervous or rescue dogs

With rescue dogs, I prefer to introduce new things gradually.

A lick mat can be a gentle option for a dog who already feels safe enough to eat.

I would offer it in a quiet, familiar place, away from other animals and unnecessary attention.

Let the dog approach voluntarily.

If they walk away, leave them alone rather than encouraging them to continue.

For newly adopted dogs, my Tips for Settling in a Rescue Dog explains why routine, patience and choice matter.

A lick mat cannot treat separation anxiety, noise phobias or serious fear.

During grooming and handling

You may see lick mats advertised for bathing, brushing, nail clipping and veterinary procedures.

They can sometimes be useful as part of gentle, reward-based handling practice, but there is an important distinction.

A dog licking food is not necessarily comfortable with what’s happening.

If they’re frightened of nail clipping, for example, distracting them with food while continuing something they find frightening can make matters worse.

I would work on gradual, cooperative handling separately, allowing the dog to opt out.

Food should support a positive experience, not be used to override a dog’s discomfort.

During fireworks or other noisy events

Some dogs may enjoy a familiar lick mat before or during mildly unsettling noises.

However, a severely frightened dog may refuse food altogether.

Don’t try to make them lick a mat when they’re worried. Instead, provide a safe space, reduce noise where possible and seek appropriate veterinary or qualified behavioural support.

What can you put on a dog’s lick mat?

This is where lick mats become particularly versatile.

You don’t need elaborate recipes or expensive special pastes.

In many cases, your dog’s usual food is the best place to start.

Filling	How I would use it
Usual wet dog food	Spread a thin layer across the mat
Soaked kibble	Soften with water and mash into a paste
Plain cooked pumpkin	Use a small amount, with no added seasoning
Mashed cooked carrot	Allow to cool and spread thinly
Mashed banana	A small occasional treat
Plain unsweetened yoghurt	Only if your dog tolerates dairy
Dog-safe peanut butter	A very thin smear, checking every ingredient
Suitable dog pâté	Check ingredients, calories and dietary suitability

Introduce one unfamiliar ingredient at a time.

For more feeding advice, visit my Dog Food and Nutrition Hub.

My favourite starting option: ordinary wet dog food

If your dog already eats wet food, you may not need to buy anything else.

Simply take a small portion of their normal meal and spread it across the mat.

That gives them an enrichment activity without introducing a new food.

For dogs with sensitive digestion, this is often a more sensible starting point than trying several different toppings.

Peanut butter: useful, but be careful

Peanut butter is often recommended for lick mats, but not every product is suitable.

Some contain xylitol, also called birch sugar, which is extremely toxic to dogs.

Avoid peanut butter containing chocolate or other unsuitable ingredients, and remember that peanut butter is calorie-dense.

You can buy dog-friendly peanut butter on Amazon

I would use only a thin smear of a product with confirmed dog-safe ingredients.

The PDSA’s advice on your dog’s diet is a useful reference for suitable treats and foods to avoid.

Foods I would never put on a lick mat

Avoid:

• Chocolate or cocoa
• Xylitol or birch sugar
• Grapes, raisins, currants or sultanas
• Onion, garlic, leeks and products containing them
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol
• Heavily salted or seasoned foods
• Products containing unsafe sweeteners or other unsuitable additives

Be particularly careful with baby food, gravies, stock, flavoured yoghurt and processed spreads. Their ingredients can be unsuitable even when the food looks harmless.

If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your vet immediately rather than waiting for symptoms.

Five easy lick mat ideas

1. The everyday dinner mat

Best for: Beginners and everyday enrichment.

Take a small portion of your dog’s normal wet food and spread it thinly over the mat.

Offer it on a stable surface and let them explore.

This is the version I would try first.

2. Carrot and wet food

Best for: Dogs who already enjoy vegetables.

Mash a little plain, cooked carrot and mix it with some of your dog’s usual wet food.

Spread it across the mat, keeping the texture easy to lick.

Allow cooked ingredients to cool completely before serving.

3. Banana and yoghurt

Best for: An occasional treat.

Mix a small amount of mashed banana with plain, unsweetened yoghurt.

Only use yoghurt if your dog tolerates dairy, and check that it contains no xylitol or other unsuitable sweeteners.

This isn’t something I would give in large quantities.

4. The chilled dinner mat

Best for: Dogs who already enjoy using a lick mat.

Spread a thin layer of their normal wet food across the mat and refrigerate it briefly.

Serve it chilled rather than frozen.

This can offer a slightly different experience without making the activity particularly difficult.

5. The lightly frozen mat

Best for: Experienced dogs who enjoy cooler food.

Start with a familiar filling and chill it first.

If your dog enjoys that, you could try lightly freezing a small portion.

Allow it to soften before offering it.

Avoid presenting a solid, rock-hard frozen mat, particularly to puppies, senior dogs or dogs with dental problems.

The aim is an enjoyable activity, not a test of persistence.

Should you freeze a lick mat?

You can freeze some lick mats, as long as the manufacturer confirms the product is freezer-safe.

However, I wouldn’t start with a frozen mat.

Frozen food can make licking more difficult, and some dogs may start biting the mat or scraping at it with their teeth.

A better progression is:

1. Begin with a thin layer of soft food.
2. Try a slightly thicker spread once your dog is comfortable.
3. Offer the mat chilled.
4. Consider lightly frozen food only if your dog enjoys it.

Don’t assume that the longer a mat lasts, the better the enrichment.

A short, relaxed activity is preferable to a prolonged, frustrating one.

How to choose the best lick mat

There are several designs available, and the most complicated isn’t necessarily the best.

Type	Best suited to	What to check
Simple flat silicone mat	Beginners and ordinary meals	Stability, material and ease of cleaning
Shallow textured mat	Puppies and sensitive dogs	Accessible grooves and comfortable licking
Deep-patterned mat	Dogs familiar with licking activities	Avoid excessive difficulty
Suction-cup mat	Suitable supervised stationary use	Secure attachment and no accessible loose suction cups
Firmer or reinforced mat	Dogs who need a sturdier feeding surface	Still not chew-proof
Shallow licking bowl	Dogs who prefer a bowl shape	Stability, posture and cleaning

My preferred starting point

For most beginners, I would choose a simple, food-safe, easy-to-clean mat with shallow grooves.

There’s little benefit in choosing the most difficult pattern immediately.

The mat should be large enough for comfortable use and stable enough not to slide around the floor.

Which lick mats would I consider buying?

LickiMat Tuff Soother Pro

This is a firmer, reinforced-style licking mat with a textured surface.

It may suit owners looking for a sturdier alternative to a very flexible mat, although it should still be supervised and is not indestructible.

See the LickiMat Tuff Soother Pro on Amazon UK

Affiliate link. Check the exact model, size and manufacturer’s instructions before buying.

A simple shallow silicone lick mat

If your dog is trying a lick mat for the first time, look for a basic mat with a relatively shallow pattern.

It doesn’t need to be expensive.

Key considerations include suitable materials, a stable surface, easy cleaning, and how your dog uses it.

A lick mat from Dogs Trust

If you would prefer to support a dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust also sells a washable lick mat through its online shop.

View the Dogs Trust lick mat

This is a charity shop link, not an affiliate recommendation.

Lick mat versus Kong: which is better?

Both have their place, but they offer slightly different activities.

Feature	Lick mat	Kong
Main activity	Licking food from a surface	Removing food from a hollow toy
Best food texture	Soft, spreadable food	Dry, soft or mixed fillings
Beginner difficulty	Usually straightforward	Depends on how it is filled
Chewing suitability	Not intended as a chew toy	Appropriate models support chewing
Typical position	Stationary	May roll or move
Cleaning	Grooves need thorough washing	Interior needs thorough cleaning
Best starting use	Thin layer of normal food	Loose, easily accessible food

Neither is automatically better.

If I wanted a simple, stationary licking activity, I would consider a lick mat.

If I wanted a more varied food toy that could also provide suitable chewing opportunities, I might choose a Kong.

Read my KONG Toys for Dogs: Sizes, Types, Fillings and Safety guide for more detailed advice.

When a lick mat isn’t the right choice

A lick mat may not suit a dog who:

• Repeatedly bites, tears or swallows pieces of the mat
• Guards food or feeding equipment
• Becomes frantic or frustrated during food activities
• Finds the mat’s texture or movement worrying
• Has difficulty swallowing or other relevant health problems
• Needs a veterinary diet that cannot be altered without advice

If a dog begins chewing the mat, remove it calmly and offer a more appropriate activity.

If they swallow part of it, contact your vet promptly.

If your dog finds food puzzles frustrating, read my Dog Enrichment Safety guide.

Lick mat safety: my essential rules

Before offering a lick mat, I would always consider the following.

1. Supervise your dog. Don’t assume a lick mat is safe to leave unattended.
2. Check the material. Choose a product intended for pet feeding and follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
3. Inspect it regularly. Look for tears, cracks, missing sections or damaged suction cups.
4. Start with easy food. Avoid thick, sticky layers that make licking unnecessarily difficult.
5. Use a stable surface. Stop the mat sliding or forcing the dog into an awkward position.
6. Separate animals when necessary. Food activities can create competition between pets.
7. Watch body language. Stop if your dog appears uncomfortable, frustrated or worried.
8. Remove the mat afterwards. It’s feeding equipment, not a general chew toy.
9. Keep portions appropriate. Food enrichment still counts towards daily calories.
10. Clean thoroughly. Food can become trapped in small grooves.

Dogs Trust also recommends choosing enrichment according to a dog’s individual needs and observing whether they appear to enjoy the activity.

How to clean a lick mat properly

One disadvantage of lick mats is that food can become trapped between the raised patterns.

I would clean the mat after every use.

First, remove any leftover food.

Rinse it using water at a temperature suitable for the product, then wash thoroughly with a pet-safe washing-up method, paying attention to the grooves.

Some lick mats are dishwasher-safe, but check the manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming.

Allow the mat to dry completely before storing it.

Avoid damaged brushes, harsh chemicals or anything that could leave unsafe residues.

Check the mat for wear while cleaning it.

If pieces are beginning to break away, replace it.

How often can a dog use a lick mat?

There isn’t one fixed rule.

Some dogs enjoy a short licking activity most days. Others may prefer one occasionally.

What matters is the dog’s response, the amount of food being used and whether the activity fits comfortably into their routine.

I would rather see a dog enjoying five minutes of relaxed licking than being encouraged to continue for half an hour simply because the mat has been filled with more food.

If you’re using a lick mat regularly, take the food from the dog’s normal daily allowance where practical.

Treats and extras should remain a small part of a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions

Do lick mats really calm dogs?

Some dogs appear more settled during or after a familiar licking activity, but this isn’t guaranteed. Lick mats cannot treat anxiety, fear or other underlying behavioural problems.

Can I leave my dog alone with a lick mat?

I wouldn’t recommend leaving a dog unattended with a lick mat, particularly if they might chew or swallow the material. Always assess the individual dog and supervise use.

Are lick mats suitable for puppies?

They can be, provided the mat is appropriately sized, easy to use and closely supervised. Use suitable puppy food and avoid hard-frozen fillings.

Can dogs use lick mats every day?

Many dogs can enjoy regular lick-mat activities, provided the food is appropriate, portions are accounted for and the dog continues to enjoy the activity.

Is peanut butter safe for lick mats?

Only if the ingredients are suitable for dogs and contain no xylitol or other harmful additives. Use small quantities because peanut butter is high in calories and fat.

Can lick mats help with separation anxiety?

A lick mat may provide an enjoyable activity for some dogs, but it isn’t a treatment for separation-related distress. Dogs showing genuine distress when left alone need an appropriate assessment and support plan.

Are frozen lick mats better?

Not necessarily. Some dogs enjoy chilled or lightly frozen food, while others find it difficult or uncomfortable. Begin with soft food and let your dog’s response guide you.

Can I use a lick mat when grooming my dog?

Only if your dog is already comfortable with the handling involved. Food should not be used to force a frightened dog to tolerate something they find upsetting.

What if my dog starts chewing the lick mat?

Remove it and choose another activity. Repeated chewing or tearing makes the mat unsuitable because pieces may be swallowed.

My final thoughts

Lick mats are a useful addition to a dog’s enrichment routine, but I wouldn’t suggest buying one simply because it’s fashionable.

Think about what your dog enjoys.

Some dogs love licking soft food from a textured surface. Others would much rather search for food in the grass, explore a cardboard box or enjoy a gentle sniffing walk.

The important thing is giving dogs safe opportunities to use their natural behaviours and make choices.

Start simply, use familiar food and watch how your dog responds.

And remember, enrichment doesn’t need to keep your dog occupied for hours to be worthwhile.

Sometimes a few enjoyable minutes are enough.

More dog enrichment guides

If you found this guide useful, you may also enjoy:

• Dog Enrichment Ideas That Actually Help Calm and Tire Your Dog
• Canine Enrichment: Keeping Your Dog Happy
• Ditch the Bowl at Mealtimes
• Best Enrichment Toys for Rescue Dogs
• Dog Enrichment Safety: When a Brain Game Becomes Frustrating

Looking for one-to-one enrichment support in Finchley?

At Finchley Dog Walker, my approach is calm, patient and reward-based.

I offer one-to-one dog walking and practical training and enrichment support, particularly for dogs who benefit from a little more individual attention.

My work focuses on helping dogs feel comfortable, build confidence, and find activities that suit their individual needs.

If you’d like to know more, visit my One-to-One Dog Training Support in Finchley page.

This article provides general pet-care information and is not a substitute for veterinary or qualified behavioural advice. If your dog has a medical condition, prescribed diet or significant behavioural concerns, seek appropriate professional guidance.

• What to do instead of walking your dog in a heatwave
• 10 Simple Frozen Dog Treats and Enrichment Ideas for Hot Weather
• Best Enrichment Toys for Rescue Dogs
• Dog Enrichment Toys and Tools I Recommend: A Practical UK Guide
• Ditch the bowl at Mealtimes