Our Favorite Dog Lick Mat Features Four Different Texture Quadrants (2024)

Our Top Picks

There are so many different patterns on dog lick mats that aim to target a dog’s specific needs. For example, different patterns are intended to help with anxiety, provide a distraction, help with play, or even provide easy feeding. This lick pad from Mighty Paw is our top pick because it has four separate quadrants that all target different needs.

One area is made of a large waffle pattern that allows for easy licking, while another features densely packed nubs which means your dog will have to work harder and longer to lick up their food, which provides a great distraction.

The mat is made out of food-safe quality silicone that measures nine by six inches. It also features dozens of suction cups on the back to help keep it in place.You can try out each section, one at a time, or cover the whole mat in food and let your dog enjoy the challenge that each quadrant brings to their mealtime. If you have a puppy that's teething keep them under supervision while using this mat, as they might chew on it.

_{Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 9 x 6 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

An important part of picking out a lick mat is to make sure that your dog likes the pattern of the mat, so this two-pack comes in handy. It comes with two separate patterns so you can test which pattern your dog likes better and helps to reduce their anxiety, or if you have two dogs, then both dogs can get in on the fun.

The two-pack comes with two mats that each measure eight by eight inches. Suppose you have a larger dog at home. In that case, you may want to consider the bigger version which measures eleven by eleven inches but is sold individually instead of as a duo, as they might finish licking up food too quickly on these smaller mats.These lick mats are made out of FDA-grade TPE, a type of plastic that acts like rubber but there are no suction cups on the bottom to hold it securely in place. This type of plastic is safe to freeze, microwave, and clean in a dishwasher.

_{Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 8 x 8 inches (small/medium), 11 x 11 inches (large) | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

Bath time can be particularly stressful for some dogs, and finding ways to keep them happily distracted during a bath can go a long way to getting you both through it. Equipped with suction cups, this mat lets you stick it on almost any smooth surface, including the tiles around your bathtub.

Not only will it keep your pooch occupied while they are licking off their favorite treat, but it also means you are more likely to keep them facing the right way during their bath.

This lick pad comes in two formations, a triangular mat that’s almost four inches across and a larger square-shaped mat measuring nine inches on all sides. These lick mats come off easily and can be moved almost anywhere. If you have a very large dog, be forewarned that their powerful licking might loosen the suction cups from the floor.

The depth of the pad means that you can pack in more of their favorite treat and extend the time it takes them to finish licking. These lick pads are made of silicone and are dishwasher-safe. You can even fill the lick pad and pop it in the freezer, so it takes your dog even longer to lick the mat clean.

_{Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 3.6 x 3.6 x 0.35 inches (triangle), 9 x 9 x 0.75 inches (square) | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

If you have a smaller dog that doesn’t need as much food spread on their mat as larger dogs, then this may be the better choice for you and your small pal. It is made of silicone and sticks to most smooth, solid surfaces without using suction cups.

The rectangular-shaped mat offers less surface space than larger square-shaped mats, and the nubs are more spread out and not as tall, meaning that they can be cleaned quickly and don’t take as much time to finish. That also means this pad is not ideal for larger dogs who are likely to finish quickly and return to whatever activity you were trying to distract them from.

_{Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 9.5 x 4.5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

Maybe you’ve tried other lick mats that didn’t quite hold up when your dog was really in the mood for food. Or perhaps you left an old mat uncleaned on the floor and found it ripped to shreds the next morning. Well, this might be the best mat for you and your more powerful pup.

The mat is made out of tough human-grade rubber and is secured in a tough polypropylene casing. While you should always let your dog use this product with supervision, it is built to last longer and stand up better to teething puppies and heavy chewers.However, some very aggressive lickers were still able to snap off some of the rubber nubs. While non-toxic, it’s essential to check the mat after use to see if any tears or strain on the rubber are visible.

The mat measures a perfect square at almost eightinches on all sides and has four non-slip rubber feet to help hold it in place. This model comes with three different colors to choose from green, orange, and turquoise. Pop this in the dishwasher to get it cleaned for the next go round.

_{Material: Rubber | Dimensions: 7.9x 7.9inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

The Lukito Lick Mat gives you two lick mats and an extra spatula to help you spread food into each cranny and crevice. This moderately priced duo comes in two sizes and a variety of color combinations.

The convenience of two mats will allow you to keep one in the freezer while your dog starts licking the other, try out different foods, and see which surface your dog prefers. Plus, each mat has suction cups on the back to stick on a wall or floor, but the suction may fade with repeated use. The mats can be cleaned on the top shelf in a dishwasher, but handwashing is recommended to preserve the stickiness.

_{Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 0.24 inches (small), 7.87 x 7.87 x 0.31 inches (large) | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but handwashing recommended}

Give your dog a bit of a challenge with this dog lick bowl by Mighty Paws. This bright green bowl has four different textures: easy, fun, anxiety relief, and distraction, and two different modes: put it flat on the floor for the stable mode, or turn it over for the wobbly mode.

The bowl is made from BPA-free, food-safe silicone, and the unique shape is designed to keep a dog occupied and distracted. To prolong their dual-play-and-eat session even more, this lick bowl can be covered (we recommend plain yogurt) and placed in the freezer. But with its multiple textures, the lick bowl is more difficult to clean than a classic lick mat. It is dishwasher-safe, but you might find the need to hand-wash as well depending on the stickiness of the dog-safe food you put on top.

^{Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 6.75 x 3.25 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes}

Spread your dog's favorite snack on this adorable lick mat and the design of a whale swimming in the ocean will come to life. SodaPup's Whale Dog Lick Mat is one of the brands most popular enrichment style lick mats, but they also offer Yellow Duckies, Red Hearts, a Camper In the Woods, and more. The suction cups on the bottom of the mat keep it securely in place on tile floors, or you can put it on a refrigerator or other smooth surface, such as a bathtub, to keep your dog focused on the food and calm.

The blue-colored mat is made of thermoplastic rubber that is food-safe and BPA-free. It has an eight inch diameter, so it works for puppies and dogs of any size. While it's hard to get into the grooves and crevices to clean by hand, it is dishwasher-safe. This product is made in the United States and is compliant with California's Proposition 65.

_{Material: Thermoplastic rubber | Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.25 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, top rack only}

Final Verdict

The Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad is our top choice because you can try out four different challenging mat patterns to see which one your dog prefers. It has an advantageous rectangular shape and numerous suction cups on the back to help it stay in place while your dog works that treat out of every little corner. If you are looking for a lower price point option, we recommend the Lukito Lick Mat. This package gives you two mats with two textures and even a dedicated spatula for spreading food into each nook.

FAQ

• What are the best foods to use with a lick mat?

  The best foods to use on a lick mat are anything that can spread easily with a knife and doesn’t upset your dog’s tummy. Don’t use anything too solid, like dry dog food, or anything too runny that will drip out if you hang it on a wall.

  “You want moist, wet types of food. Peanut butter is great; just make sure it does not contain xylitol,” explains Robinson. Xylitol is a sweetener that is used to replace sugar is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. So make sure to check the ingredients before offering it to your dog.

  “You can also put canned dog food on it or non-fat yogurt,” says Robinson. “Pumpkin puree, non-fat cottage cheese, or mashed bananas also work.”

• Are lick mats bad for some breeds?

  If you are considering a lick mat, it will come down to your dog’s age, eating style, and size. Overall, the breed isn’t as big of a factor for lick mats unless your dog’s breed is known for being really big. Big dogs or aggressive chewers can apply too much force, making the mat move across the floor (defeating its purpose if you were hoping to keep your pup still for grooming) or causing some of the nubs to come loose.

  Puppies are notorious for chewing everything during their teething stage, which means they will likely tear chunks off the mat and potentially swallow them. So wait until your puppy grows up a little more and can better control themselves while eating.

• Are lick mats a good alternative to treats?

  Lick mats are popular because they serve a very specific purpose that just giving your dog a treat can’t do. If you want to help your dog feel less anxious or stay still during grooming or nail trimming, a lick mat works better than a treat can.

  However, lick mats can be used as a treat and reward incentive. Every time your dog repeats a trick or action that you want them to do, you can absolutely bring out the lick mat as a reward. As they learn to associate the mat with yummy treats, it can become a significant motivator to learn something new or correct bad behavior.

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