Best Lick Mat for Dogs: How to Choose One That Is Safe and Lasts

What a lick mat is for

A lick mat is a flat mat with grooves, ridges and bumps that you spread with soft food. Your dog licks it clean slowly. The AKC describes lick mats as tools to soothe, entertain and enrich dogs, and notes licking is a calming activity for many.

Owners use them during baths, nail trims, thunderstorms and fireworks, in a crate, or simply to slow down a fast eater. Some mats double as slow feeders, which the AKC says can help reduce the likelihood of bloat by stopping dogs gobbling food in seconds.

What matters most: material and safety

Choose food-grade silicone or natural rubber. The AKC advises checking a mat is food-grade, since non-food-grade mats can leach dyes and chemicals. Silicone is flexible and often dishwasher-safe; natural rubber is firmer and tougher but should be hand-washed with soap and warm water.

Size and thickness matter for safety: a larger, thicker mat is harder to chew into pieces. Avoid thin mats with small, tearable edges for dogs that like to chew.

Types compared

Flat floor mats are the classic design, sometimes divided into quarters with different textures, which the AKC notes lets you use a different treat in each section. Suction-cup mats stick to a tub or tile wall, ideal for bath time and grooming. Lick bowls have raised sides and suit messier foods.

Combination slow feeder and lick mats have deeper grooves for kibble and wet food. Heavy rubber designs and those that sit inside a protective holder suit dogs that try to chew the edges.

What to put on it

Spread wet dog food, plain unsweetened yogurt, mashed banana or pumpkin, or soaked kibble thinly into the grooves. The AKC suggests freezing low-sodium broth on the mat for a few hours, which makes it last longer and helps on hot days.

Count what you spread as part of your dog's daily food; our lick mat recipes have more ideas. Never use anything containing xylitol, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic or chocolate, all of which are toxic to dogs; check peanut butter labels for xylitol.

Best type for each dog

For bath time and grooming, a suction-cup mat on the tub wall. For a teething puppy, the AKC suggests a lick mat with wet food as a calmer alternative to shredding toys; supervise closely. For an anxious dog, a frozen mat during storms or fireworks gives a long, calming activity.

For a chewer, a thick natural rubber mat or one in a holder, used only while you watch. For a small dog, a small mat with fine textures; for a large dog, a larger, heavier mat that cannot be picked up easily.

Cleaning, safety and lifespan

Clean your lick mat after every use, even if it looks clean, as the AKC recommends, to prevent mold and bacteria. Check the product description before boiling, since heat can warp some materials.

The AKC says there is no leave-it-and-forget-it dog toy: watch your dog and step in if it tries to eat or destroy the mat, and replace mats that show eroding material, punctures or jagged ridges. If a piece is swallowed and your dog vomits, strains or stops eating, call your vet.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.