If you’ve ever watched your dog bliss out when lapping up a tasty frozen treat, you know they’re in a happy place. With eyes half open, tongue digging into the lick mat, your dog is fully in the moment.
A dog lick mat is a fun and useful tool for keeping your pooch calm and engaged. It’s a tasty enrichment aid that provides your pup with much-needed mental stimulation.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What dog lick mats are and why trainers and vets recommend them.
- The top benefits for digestion, dental health, and mental well-being.
- Safe ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
- Four easy recipes featuring pumpkin, yogurt, banana, and cottage cheese.
Think of your dog lick mat as a pawsome doggie snack time that you can use for training sessions, distractions during thunderstorms, or just for fun.
What Is a Lick Mat for Dogs?
If you’ve ever wondered what a lick mat is for dogs, think of it as a simple but powerful enrichment tool that soothes and calms your dog. A dog lick mat is a flat silicone or rubber pad covered with ridges, grooves, or bumps. You spread soft, wet foods, such as yogurt or peanut butter, on the surface. Your dog’s tongue works through the different textures, which slows their eating and releases calming endorphins.
According to veterinary behaviorists at Veterinary Care Associates (VCA), repetitive licking behaviors can trigger relaxation responses similar to a gentle massage. A growing number of groomers, vets, and dog-daycare pros use lick mats during nail trims or stressful moments. It’s one of many creative ways to entertain your floof.
A good lick mat should be:
- Non-slip: Look for suction cups or a sturdy base. You want it to stay in one place to prevent frustrating your dog.
- Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe silicone is ideal because you can throw it into the dishwasher.
- Sized for your pup: Tiny paws need smaller mats; Great Danes need bigger real estate.
Choosing the Right Lick Mat
Not all lick mats are created equal. When picking one for your pup, focus on material and design. Food-grade silicone is safest because it’s flexible, dishwasher-safe, and gentle on your dog’s tongue.
For enthusiastic lickers or larger breeds, choose thicker silicone or stainless-steel-base mats that won’t tear under pressure.
Small dogs or puppies do best with shallower grooves because they have smaller muzzles and shorter tongues. They’ll feel frustrated with lick mats with deep grooves because their tongues won’t reach the bottom. Not being able to reach all of the tasty goodness can turn a soothing activity into a frustration.
The ideal enrichment activity provides your dog with a friendly, yet achievable challenge.
Steer clear of mats that smell strongly of plastic or feel flimsy because cheap, low-grade materials may crack or trap bacteria. When in doubt, ask your vet which brands they trust.
Top Dog Lick Mat Benefits
Let’s dig into the benefits of a lick mat for dogs and why they’ve become a pet-parent favorite.
1. Mental Stimulation
Dogs crave problem-solving. Lick mats satisfy that instinct by turning snacking into a puzzle. Canine enrichment feeding (CEF) can include Kongs and dog lick mats. Some pet parents use CEF primarily to improve their dogs’ cognitive engagement and reduce signs of boredom. Others use them as a distraction during times of stress, such as thunderstorms or bathing.
2. Slower Eating
If you’ve got a pup who gulps his food, you may be motivated to slow down your pup’s eating. Eating fast can be dangerous because this habit causes your dog to gulp air along with their food, leading to gas or even bloat. Spreading soft food thinly across a mat forces slower eating, even chewing, and better digestion.
3. Stress Relief
The repetition of dog licking triggers the release of serotonin and endorphins, which promote calm. Dog trainers often recommend lick mats for dogs with separation anxiety, noise sensitivity, or post-surgery rest because they slow your dog’s eating and encourage them to concentrate on the treat.
Lick mats are part of these natural calming remedies for dogs.
4. Dental Hygiene
When your pup starts slurping, that licking motion stimulates your dog’s saliva glands, and saliva can help reduce plaque buildup. It doesn’t replace tooth brushing, but it’s a tasty supplement to your dog’s oral care.
5. Bonding and Routine
Just as you ask your dog to sit for a treat, your dog’s lick mat can become another shared ritual. Your floof will watch lovingly as you spread the wet food on the mat.
What Kind of Food Is Recommended for Dog Lick Mats?
If you’re wondering what to put on a dog lick mat, you can get creative while staying within the lines of canine nutrition. Stick to safe, vet-approved ingredients—no added sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol). If your dog eats kibble, you can soften it with warm water or a spoonful of plain yogurt and spread it across the mat.
Here are ten more all-star options and why they shine:
| Ingredient | Why It’s Great for Dogs |
| Natural peanut butter | Protein-packed and irresistible, peanut butter is a favorite dog treat. Just confirm it’s xylitol-free because xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is dangerous for dogs. |
| Pumpkin purée | Rich in fiber, pumpkin supports healthy digestion and firm stools. Just make sure you’re using plain pumpkin puree and not a sugar-laden pumpkin pie filling. |
| Plain Greek yogurt | Plain yogurt provides calcium and probiotics for gut health and healthy digestion. |
| Mashed banana | Adds natural sweetness plus potassium and magnesium. Mix with peanut butter for the ultimate treat. |
| Unsweetened applesauce | A low-calorie vitamin boost. |
| Cottage cheese | Soft texture, high in protein and calcium. |
| Puréed baby carrots | Carrots are a low-calorie veggie that’s also high in beta-carotene and gentle on the tummy. |
| Sweet-potato purée | Complex carbs for slow-release energy. |
| Steamed green beans | Low-calorie filler that keeps pups satisfied. |
| Mashed blueberries | Antioxidant fruit supports immune health. |
You could even use a dog-safe baby food like pureed turkey or carrots. Just make sure the baby food contains no onion or garlic. Most lick mats hold about two tablespoons of total mixture, which is perfect for a controlled snack or distraction tool.
Scroll #DogTok and you’ll see blissed out pups licking their mats. There’s a reason trainers, vets, and millions of pet parents are offering their furry friends these lickable treats. Lick mats are easy to use and soothing for your pup. You can even spread a can of dog-safe wet food, or a few spoonfuls of your dog’s favorite Just Food for Dogs meal on your mat for an enrichment-meets-nutrition moment.
4 Easy Dog Lick Mat Recipes Your Dog Will Love
Each of these lick mat recipes for dogs uses whole foods you probably already have at home. They’re balanced, easy to make, and can be frozen if you want to give your dog a homemade pupsicle treat.
1. Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Calm
You’ll need:
- 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp pumpkin purée
How to make it:
Blend together and spread thinly over the mat. Freeze for 20 minutes for a pupsicle experience. This tasty combo is rich in healthy fats and fiber.
2. Yogurt & Banana Swirl
You’ll need:
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- ½ ripe banana, mashed
How to make it:
Stir and swirl into the mat’s grooves. Freeze or chill. The probiotics aid your dog’s digestion, while the banana keeps energy steady.
3. Sweet-Potato & Cottage-Cheese Delight
You’ll need:
- 2 tbsp cooked sweet-potato purée (You can airfry sweet potatoes and then mash them up)
- 1 tbsp low-fat cottage cheese
How to make it:
Layer the sweet potato first, then dot cottage cheese across the top. Dogs love the texture contrast, and it adds muscle-supporting protein.
4. Apple & Blueberry Antioxidant Treat
You’ll need:
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tbsp mashed blueberries
How to make it:
Mix the applesauce with mashed blueberries, then spread it on the mat. This fruity combo is light, hydrating, and brightens any afternoon snack break.
Safety tip: Always introduce new foods slowly and in small portions, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs. When in doubt, check with your vet.
Complement Your Pet’s Nutrition with JustFoodForDogs
Lick mats make great enrichment activities or a distraction. They can complement your dog’s meals but not replace them. To meet all your dog’s daily nutrient requirements, pair these fun treats with vet-formulated whole-food meals.
At Just Food For Dogs, our mission is simple: provide real, balanced nutrition that supports every wag and woof. Our vet-approved wet dog food makes it easy for pet parents to offer their pups healthy, well-balanced, fresh food.
When you use our specially formulated dog-safe recipes, you can spread that wet dog food onto the lick mat and feel confident your dog is getting the best.
Ready to make your kitchen the happiest room in the house?
Explore our homemade dog food and treats to nourish your dog from bowl to mat. From chicken and rice to fish and sweet potato, we have delicious and healthy options.
FAQs
Rinse immediately after use in warm, soapy water. A soft-bristled brush helps reach into grooves. Many silicone mats are top-rack dishwasher safe—just double-check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Supervise the first few times to make sure your dog licks rather than chews. Take the lick mat away once the food is gone. You don’t want your pup to nibble on the mat.
Absolutely. Enrichment studies show that interactive feeding reduces stress in group environments. Lick mats help calm anxious dogs during downtime and can reduce noise levels in multi-dog facilities.
Final Thoughts on Lick Mats for Dogs
A lick mat might look simple, but to your dog, it’s an entire experience. It satisfies your dog’s natural instincts, reduces stress, and keeps your dog busy for several minutes.
Whether you load yours with yogurt and blueberries for a quick treat or spread your dog’s favorite fresh meal, your dog will love it.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
Sources
“Why Do Dogs Lick Humans?” 2025. Vca. 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/shop/articles/why-do-dogs-lick-humans.
Spaulding, Kristina. 2020. “I Challenge You – the Relationship between Enrichment, Challenge, and Wellbeing – Science Matters.” Science Matters. August 4, 2020. https://sciencemattersllc.com/i-challenge-you-the-relationship-between-enrichment-challenge-and-wellbeing.
Heys, Madeline, Imogen Lloyd, and Carri Westgarth. 2023. “‘Bowls Are Boring’: Investigating Enrichment Feeding for Pet Dogs and the Perceived Benefits and Challenges.” Veterinary Record 194 (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3169.
