This (updated) guide reviews all of the best lick mats for dogs you can buy this year.
Are you a dog parent looking for a way to keep your pup entertained? Many pet owners are discovering the convenience and benefits of lick mats for their furry friends. Perfect for keeping your pup busy while you’re away or even in the same room, lick mats can help to promote good behavior and reduce anxiety. Plus, they’re a great way to help your pup get his daily pig-out session in.
Whether you want a lick mat that can be stuck to the wall or something that you can toss in the dishwasher, our guide will help you find the perfect one for your pup. This post will look at the best lick mats for dogs in 2023 based on our detailed 40-point inspection. We’ve included products based on reviews from pet owners who have tested these with their own pooches, as well as tips on how to get the most out of these mats.
The 8 Best Lick Mats for Dogs
| Top Products | Ratings | Top Features |
| #1. ANYPET Lick Bowl, Slow Feeding Mat (Best Overall) | 4.8 | Best multi-functional lick mat for multiple dogs |
| #2. MateeyLife Dog Licking Mats | 4.8 | Most ideal treat-luring tool |
| #3. Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad | 4.7 | Best for distraction, cleaning, and entertainment |
| #4. Hyper Pet IQ Treat Lick Mats for Dogs | 4.7 | Suitable for senior dogs with cognitive dysfunction |
| #5. Love Dream Dog Lick Mat | 4.5 | Most versatile and comprehensive design for long-term use |
| #6. Welture Lick Mats for Dogs | 4.5 | Most innovative, interesting design |
| #7. PetDreamHouse Lick Mats for Dogs | 4.2 | Best for budget-minded shoppers, versatile design |
| #8. KILIN Lick Mat for Dogs | 4.2 | Offers great value, super-engaging for pooches |
Best Lick Mats for Dogs Revealed
#1. ANYPET Lick Bowl, Slow Feeding Mat
- Can be combined to form a large feeder or used individually
- Hard plastic pieces are durable and safe for strong chewers
- Suction cups on the green pieces provide stability
- Versatile use as a slow feeder, lick mat, or enrichment tool
The AnyPet Slow Feeder & Dog Lick Mat is perfect for keeping your furry friend healthy and happy. With four different tile designs, you can easily provide a variety of meals to keep them entertained. The mats and trays can be used individually or combined and arranged to maximize use. An anti-skid design makes secure positioning on the floor easy, while suction cups that stick to glass or tile walls make it perfect for distraction during grooming.
The maze-like designs on the mat and trays help encourage slow eating for better health and digestion and fewer trips to the vet. The eco-friendly material made from ABS plastic and thermoplastic rubber (TPR) is safe to use and easy to clean by simply using warm soapy water and then rinsing it off before use. With its variety of configurations and easy setup, you can provide new exciting meals that will keep your pet entertained while helping them develop healthier eating habits.
#2. MateeyLife Dog Licking Mats
- No mess from fatigue or throwing up from eating too fast
- Suction cups are strong and prevent the mat from slipping
- Can be used with wet food and homemade food
- Easy to store and can be put in the dishwasher for full sanitation
The MateeyLife Licking Mat for Dogs and Cats is the ideal interactive toy for active pet owners. This lick pad offers hours of entertainment and engagement with small and large animals. The unique design of the licking mat encourages healthy food digestion in pets while controlling mealtime speed, while reducing destructive and anxious behavior. With an innovative design featuring 77 suction cups, the lick pad can be stuck to any smooth surface, like bathtubs, counters, or glass tiles.
The four-quadrant design further helps to guide portion control when spreading treats or wet food. This lick pad is made with 100% BPA-free, safe, non-toxic food-grade silicone that is freezer and dishwasher-safe. For extra fun, freeze the mat in the refrigerator after spreading treats on it for an extended licking experience.
#3. Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad
- Keeps pets busy for extended periods of time
- Soft, textured silicone is gentle on puppies’ mouths
- Multiple textures provide stimulating sensations
- Suction cups keep the mat immobile while in use
The Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad provides a convenient and modern way to entertain and engage your pup. This BPA-free silicone mat is designed with four textured quadrants that are great for different occasions and can be used for quick training rewards, boredom-busting and slow feeding, anxiety relief, and distraction for various activities. It can be easily stuck with its strong suction cups to the bathtub enclosure or shower wall for hands-free convenience.
In addition to being safe and non-toxic, the dog lick mat is also designed with your dog’s dental health in mind. The pad’s rough texture helps clean your pup’s tongue and gums while they lick, promoting better doggie breath and dental health. And clean-up is a breeze. The pad is dishwasher safe, so you can easily remove any food residue or pet saliva left behind.
#4. Hyper Pet IQ Treat Lick Mats for Dogs
- Excellent addition to enrichment activities for dogs with cognitive dysfunction
- Allows pet owners to feed their pet slowly and without interruption
- Made of good quality material that is dishwasher safe
- Can be frozen with treats or dog-safe peanut butter & yogurt
The Hyper Pet IQ Treat lick mat offers a great solution to many pet-related issues, from offering a calming effect, helping to reduce anxiety, providing dental health benefits, and serving as an interactive boredom buster. This makes the lick mat a great alternative to slow feeder bowls to decrease your pet’s anxiety levels. The lick mat can also be used with snuffle mats to provide further interaction and stimulation for your pet.
The lick mat was also designed with your pet’s health in mind. It helps scrape the tongue to promote fresh breath and can improve digestion by slowing down the eating process. The mats quadrant design helps guide portion control when spreading treats on the mat. All in all, this lick mat is an innovative product that offers many benefits for both pets and owners alike.
#5. Love Dream Dog Lick Mat
- Compact and lightweight design
- Easy to use and simple setup
- High-quality materials used for durability
- Versatile applications for various uses
The Love Dream Slow Feeder Dog Mat is ideal for dog owners looking to give their canine companions much-needed health and wellness benefits. This set consists of two lick pads, one food slow feeder, and one fruit plate to provide a comprehensive solution for pet nutrition.
The dog lick pads come with four integrated suction cups on the back, so they’re easy to attach to the floor or wall, making them convenient to use during pet bathing and grooming. An impressive feature of this set is its ability to be customized according to your needs and living space by being able to disassemble or install the four plates as required. It is also versatile enough to be used by more than two dogs at a time.
#6. Welture Lick Mats for Dogs
- High-quality material guarantees durability
- Low maintenance design
- Easy to use
- Great value for money
This two-pack of Lick Mats for Dogs & Cats is designed to help ease pets’ anxiety and make mealtime more enjoyable. The mats have a 3D textured pattern on the surface, which helps to slow down eating and prolong the pet’s enjoyment of their meal. The colorful mats are shaped to fit the contours of your pet’s mouth and are made of water-resistant silicone for easy cleaning.
Additionally, the mats have powerful suction cups that keep them secured to any smooth surface, meaning they won’t be sliding around during feeding time. The textured pattern promotes a pleasurable licking action that produces saliva in your pet’s mouth, which helps protect their teeth and gums while also scraping away food particles and odor-causing bacteria. This can result in healthier teeth, fresher breath, and better overall dental health for your pet.
#7. PetDreamHouse Lick Mats for Dogs
- High-quality silicone construction
- Keeps pets engaged for hours
- Great suction to keep the mat in its place
- Easy to clean
The PetDreamHouse Lick Paw Pad is an innovative product that provides pets with stress relief and healthy treats. It has a soft, feel-good maze-like texture that can be smeared with peanut butter, yogurts, or chopped apples. With the suction cups on the back for easy adhesion, this interactive pet slow feeder offers a wide range of pleasing textures and delicious snacks to keep pets happy and healthy.
Designed for puppies, dogs, and cats alike, this lick mat is an excellent distraction pad for bath time, offering long-term anxiety relief for nervous pets while encouraging healthy eating habits at the same time. Its natural silicone construction is BPA and PVC-free, making it safe and suitable for washing in the dishwasher. This stimulating licking toy is great for keeping hyper pups busy and entertained and helps redirect destructive behaviors towards a healthier snack experience.
#8. KILIN Lick Mat for Dogs
- High-quality design
- Great value for money
- Includes dog food mat and lick mat in the package
- Excellent for frozen treats
The KILIN Lick Mat for Dogs and Dog Food Mat helps pet owners keep their furry friends happy and healthy. This package includes the dog food mat and lick mat, allowing for a comprehensive feeding experience.
The food mat is 11.8×18.9 inches, making it ideal for small, medium, and large pets. The extra-tall spill-proof lip of 0.4 inches ensures that food and water stay in the bowl rather than spreading to the floor. The material is waterproof, non-toxic, hypoallergenic silicone, which is safe and healthy for your pet. For those wishing to give their dog a special treat, the lick mat can be filled with peanut butter, yogurt, pumpkin puree, or other healthy pet-approved treats.
Best Lick Mats for Dogs – A Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the best lick mat for your dog can be an intimidating task. With so many options available, it’s important to consider each product feature before making a decision. This comprehensive buyer’s guide will help you find the best one.
Size
When shopping for a lick bowl, one of the most important things to consider is size. You want to make sure that the lick mat is not too big or too small for your dog. Lick mats that come with multiple attachments and customization options are your best bet if you have multiple dogs.
Material
Another critical factor to consider when purchasing a lick mat is the material it is made from. Choose a durable and non-toxic material that won’t harm your dog if they chew on it. Some popular materials include silicone, BPA-free plastic, and food-grade rubber.
Shape
Lick mats come in various shapes. Keeping your dog’s breed and size in mind, choose a shape that caters to them best. If the lick mat has a small or tricky shape for your big dog, it wouldn’t be as effective in keeping them engaged. Look for lick mats that can be stuck on a wall if you want to engage your pet during bathing or grooming.
Ease of Cleaning
A lick mat should be easy to clean and maintain. Look for dishwasher-safe mats so you can easily clean them in between uses. Find mats with removable parts to thoroughly clean every inch without any hassle.
Price
Another important factor to consider when choosing a lick mat is the price tag. Don’t settle on something just because it’s the cheapest option available. Instead, shop around and find something that fits your budget but still offers all the features you need.
Anti-Spill Design
As mentioned, look for mats with an anti-spill edge or barrier to keep the treats from spilling onto the floor while your pup licks on the mat. This will help keep your floors clean and free from messes caused by spilled food and water.
Safety
Before buying a new lick mat, check for sharp edges that could harm your pup while they eat or drink. Smooth edges are always preferable as they won’t cause unintentional scratches or cuts on their face while enjoying their meal.
Freezability
Look for material that’s safe to freeze with treats on it without compromising the quality of the mat. Low-quality lick mats can even break if frozen, so finding flexible material with a freezability option is a great choice.
Color/Design
Finally, consider what color or design you want in a lick mat. Many brands offer different designs, so it’s important to pick one that suits your dog’s style and preferences but also offers all of the above-mentioned features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a lick mat?
A lick mat provides a safe way for dogs to satisfy their natural urge to lick, helping to reduce anxiety and boredom. They can also be used to control portions and help clean teeth and gums.
Is a lick mat safe for my dog?
Yes, lick mats are made with non-toxic materials that are safe for your dog. However, you should always check the specific mat you are considering buying to ensure it is certified pet-safe.
Are lick mats good for dogs with separation anxiety?
Many owners report positive results from using lick mats to help reduce separation anxiety in their dogs. As licking is a natural behavior for dogs, the steady rubbing motion of their tongue against the mat stimulates the release of serotonin and endorphins, which can help relax them and lead to better sleep.
