What to Put on a Lick Mat: Easy Lick Mat Recipes for Dogs

What a lick mat is

The AKC describes a lick mat as a flat, textured toy with grooves and ridges that you spread or pour food onto. Some, like this square silicone suction lick mat, have suction cups to stick to a wall or tub, non-slip grips, lids or spreaders. Most are made of natural rubber or food-grade silicone, and the AKC advises looking for a food-grade label so dyes or chemicals do not leach into food.

Unlike a bowl, a lick mat makes your dog work slowly for each bit of food. A thin layer can keep a dog busy for several minutes, and a frozen one for much longer. It is a different kind of enrichment from a chew, a puzzle or a snuffle mat, and it suits dogs who cannot or should not chew hard things.

Are lick mats good for dogs?

For most dogs, yes. The AKC notes that lick mats can help calm anxious dogs during fireworks or thunderstorms, give owners a break from a mouthy puppy, help build positive feelings about a crate, and slow down fast eaters. Licking repeatedly is a soothing behavior, which is why a mat stuck to the side of the tub can transform bath time.

The AKC adds that the grooves can help scrape residue from teeth, though they do not replace tooth brushing. Lick mats are not for unsupervised use with dogs who chew everything, because a determined chewer can bite off pieces.

Lick mat recipes to try

Recipe 1: Spread your dog's wet food thinly into the grooves of a silicone lick mat, the easiest option and part of their normal meal. Recipe 2: Mix plain canned pumpkin, not pie filling, with a spoonful of plain unsweetened yogurt and spread it on. Recipe 3: Smear a very thin layer of xylitol-free peanut butter, then press a few kibble pieces into it.

Recipe 4: For a cooling treat, the AKC suggests pouring low-sodium chicken, beef or vegetable broth onto the mat and freezing it, which is ideal on hot days. Recipe 5: Spread plain yogurt, scatter a few blueberries, and freeze. Freeze any recipe for a longer-lasting, slower lick.

How much to use

A thin layer is all you need. The point is slow licking, not a big portion. Count everything on the mat as part of your dog's daily food, and use extras such as peanut butter and yogurt in moderation, as the AKC advises, because they are high in calories and fat.

For dogs on a weight-loss plan, use their normal wet food or soaked kibble mashed into a paste. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, food allergies or a prescription diet, ask your vet which fillings are safe before adding anything new.

Ingredients to avoid

Always check labels for xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs and turns up in some peanut butters and yogurts, as the AKC warns. Never use anything with chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts or alcohol. Skip sugary, salty or heavily spiced foods. If your dog eats something toxic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

The AKC lists honey as an option, but it is sugary, so keep it to a rare treat and avoid it entirely for puppies, diabetic dogs and dogs watching their weight.

Cleaning, supervision and when to ask your vet

Wash the mat after every use with warm soapy water, as the AKC recommends, or in the dishwasher if it is a dishwasher-safe silicone mat. Replace it when the surface erodes, gets punctured or develops jagged ridges. Supervise every session and step in if your dog starts chewing the mat. If you are choosing one, our lick mat buying guide explains materials and shapes, and you can browse every lick mat we list.

If your dog licks constantly at objects, floors or their own paws even without a lick mat, mention it to your vet, because excessive licking can have medical causes.

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