Dog Lick Mat

Dog lick mats at a range of prices

A dog lick mat is a textured silicone pad you spread food onto: your dog gets it by licking, instead of wolfing it down in one go. It’s both a licking toy and a feeding aid. The range includes suction-cup models, bowls, two snuffle-style models and multi-purpose versions, almost all in silicone. To choose, start with how you’ll use it: meals, grooming or keeping busy.

Flat lick mats

The classic lick mat sits on the floor or sticks to a smooth surface:

• the non-slip lick mat for dogs and cats, in blue, pink, purple or beige, or in a pack of 4;
• the paw-shaped silicone model, washable according to its product page, in six colours;
• the square model in food-grade silicone, which its product page also suggests for grooming;
• the flower lick mat with suction cups, which fixes to the wall or floor, designed for small to medium dogs;
• the 6-in-1 multi-purpose lick mat, with six different textured zones.

Lick bowls

A bowl keeps food in a hollow, handy for runnier wet food:

• the cylindrical suction-cup bowl, in yellow;
• the patterned lick bowl, in textured silicone, light and washable;
• the non-slip bowl, which its product page recommends for wet food, yoghurt or purée, freezable and washable;
• the multi-purpose lick mat with bowls, which combines mat and bowl in one.

For sniffing

Halfway between a lick mat and a sniffing game, the silicone snuffle model hides kibble in its ridges: a compact model in purple, blue, black or pink, and a green grass mat of 36 x 16.5 cm for dogs and cats. To go further, see our dog snuffle mats.

How to use a lick mat

Spread a thin layer of wet food on the mat: wet dog food, yoghurt, purée, or your dog’s usual treats well mashed, without changing their usual diet. Smooth it with a spoon so the food gets into the ridges. To keep them busy for longer, the non-slip bowl can go in the freezer according to its product page. With a suction-cup model, stick the mat to the tiles or the side of the bath during bath time or nail trimming.

Stay nearby the first few times, and take the mat away when it’s empty: a dog shouldn’t chew it. For quantities and suitable foods, stick to your dog’s usual daily ration.

Which lick mat should you choose?

• Small budget: the paw lick mat or the cylindrical bowl.
• Grooming and bath time: a suction-cup model – square, flower or paw – fixed nice and flat.
• Full meal: the multi-purpose mat with bowls.
• Dog and cat at home: the non-slip lick mat for dogs and cats, in a pack of 4.

As for size, a large dog needs a wide surface and more treats: go for the square or multi-purpose mat rather than a small bowl.

Care

Rinse the lick mat in hot water straight after use, before food dries in the ridges. A soft brush helps clean the grooves. Several models are listed as washable on their product pages.

FAQ

Why does my dog lick mats?

Licking is part of normal dog behaviour. A lick mat gives them something designed for it, with food. If your dog licks the floor or rugs unusually, talk to your vet.

What’s the difference between a lick mat and a snuffle mat?

On a lick mat, food is spread out and licked off. On a snuffle mat, kibble is hidden and your dog searches for it with their nose, without water or wet food.

To complete the look

For the feeding corner, see our Dog feeding mats and our range of dog cushions and mats. For walks, a walking harness and a dog lead; for hot days, a cooling mat for summer. Everything else is in our dog accessories.