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Best Lick Mats To Distract Nervous Dogs
Dog lick mat: seemingly simple on the surface but is also extremely useful and multifaceted. Dog lick mats can help to reduce canine anxiety and boredom and in turn mitigate some destructive behaviors. They can be used as a distraction when trying to bathe or groom your pet. And they can help with crate training, address some digestive issues, and even clean your pet’s teeth and improve their overall dental hygiene.
Dog lick mats are so simple to use and offer so many benefits—it is almost surprising that they are not considered a necessity! And while most dog lick mats seem similar, all are not created equal. Here are our favorites:
- Multiple surfaces for different foods
- Scrapes excess food off tongue
- Durable
- 100% dishwasher safe
- Silicone free
A great go-to lick mat that will work with many of your pet's favorite spreadable treats, the Lickimat Classic Buddy acts like a slow feeder, so your pet does not rush through their snack or meal. Perhaps what we like most is that it comes in three different patterns designed to best suit your pet's treat or food of choice. The Playdate, which features a pat...
- 100% dishwasher safe
- Silicone free
- Multiple surfaces for different foods
- Scrapes excess food off tongue
- Durable
A great go-to lick mat that will work with many of your pet's favorite spreadable treats, the Lickimat Classic Buddy act...
- Comes in pack of two
- Sticks to floor
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free
This affordable textured mat is BPA-free and comes as a two-pack, making it great for multi-pet households. It includes one square mat and one shaped like a hexagon. Like with many lick mats, it can be placed in your pet's crate to help acclimate them when training. It also easily sticks to your floor to help ease and distract your dog at stressful times—l...
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free
- Comes in pack of two
- Sticks to floor
This affordable textured mat is BPA-free and comes as a two-pack, making it great for multi-pet households. It includes ...
- Can be stuck anywhere
- Double the fun when frozen
Another great slow feeder option, the nub design also helps to slow down your pet's licking and divert their attention when stressed. These qualities make it a great take along for bathtime or when getting nails trimmed. This mat can be placed on any flat surface, like your shower wall, and is simple to remove when ready to clean and put in the dishwasher.
- Can be stuck anywhere
- Double the fun when frozen
Another great slow feeder option, the nub design also helps to slow down your pet's licking and divert their attention w...
- Sticks to almost any surface
- Big
- Dishwasher safe
- Made without toxins
- Safe to use
- Easily sticks to any surface
This is one of our best lick mats because it can easily stick to almost any flat surface—including glass—without requiring suction cups or adhesives. It is crafted from 100% food-grade silicone and made without BPA, BPS, lead, or phthalates, so you can feel at ease knowing it is safe for your pet to use.
- Made without toxins
- Safe to use
- Easily sticks to any surface
- Sticks to almost any surface
- Big
- Dishwasher safe
This is one of our best lick mats because it can easily stick to almost any flat surface—including glass—without req...
- Contains four different textures
- Ideal for small and medium-size dogs
- Durable
- Easy to stick on any smooth surface
- BPA-free
- Freezer-safe
Designed with a unique texture, this is a lick mat made with slow eating in mind. And it features 77 super suctions on the back of the mat, so it is sure to stay put wherever you stick it. Made from premium food grade silicone, it is BPA-free.
- Easy to stick on any smooth surface
- BPA-free
- Freezer-safe
- Contains four different textures
- Ideal for small and medium-size dogs
- Durable
Designed with a unique texture, this is a lick mat made with slow eating in mind. And it features 77 super suctions on t...
- Wobble is engaging
- Made from recyclable rubber
- Can replace bowl for small/medium dogs
- Comes in multiple colors
A great form of entertainment for energetic or anxious pets, the wobbling action of the Lickimat Wobble makes it extra challenging for dogs to lick. Its dimpled surface is made from safe and recyclable natural rubber and can act as a bowl replacement for small and medium-sized dogs.
- Made from recyclable rubber
- Can replace bowl for small/medium dogs
- Comes in multiple colors
- Wobble is engaging
A great form of entertainment for energetic or anxious pets, the wobbling action of the Lickimat Wobble makes it extra c...
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Recyclable
- Made of non-toxic TPE
This innovative and practical lick mat keeps things neat, thanks to a tray-style edge that prevents your pet from spreading food outside of the pad. This design also prevents chewing on the mat itself, which could be extremely harmful to your dog if ingested. It is made from food-safe and non-toxic TPE that is recyclable. And both the Neat-Lik and tray are t...
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Recyclable
- Made of non-toxic TPE
This innovative and practical lick mat keeps things neat, thanks to a tray-style edge that prevents your pet from spread...
- Won't skid
- Matching food mat available
- Fun shape
- Top-shelf dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
If you and your pet are Disney fans, then this could easily be the lick mat match for you. It features the classic Mickey Mouse silhouette and comes in two color choices: red or black. It has a smart non-skid design and is top-rack dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
- Fun shape
- Top-shelf dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Won't skid
- Matching food mat available
If you and your pet are Disney fans, then this could easily be the lick mat match for you. It features the classic Micke...
- Non-skid design
- BPA-free
- Cute
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
Can't get enough of Star Wars or The Mandalorian? Look no further! This lick mat carries all of the features you would expect from one of the best dog lick mats you can buy—but to top it off, it is designed to look like the easy-to-love Grogu. It is non-skid and BPA-free and top-rack dishwasher safe.
- BPA-free
- Cute
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Non-skid design
Can't get enough of Star Wars or The Mandalorian? Look no further! This lick mat carries all of the features you would e...
- Perfect for spreadable treats
- Good for multiple pets
- Easy to clean
- Freezer safe
- Good for all pet sizes
Great for pets of all sizes, this slow feeder lick mat comes in a pack of two, so multiple pets or hungry dogs are covered. Simply stick to your surface of choice and let your pet lick their worries away.
- Easy to clean
- Freezer safe
- Good for all pet sizes
- Perfect for spreadable treats
- Good for multiple pets
Great for pets of all sizes, this slow feeder lick mat comes in a pack of two, so multiple pets or hungry dogs are cover...
- Bigger size
- Durable
- Can stick anywhere
- Made of odor-free stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
- Hand washable
A heavy-duty lick mat for the heavy-duty dog, this extra-wide mat is made of stainless steel and features 48 strong suction cups so it can stick anywhere and stay put. If you're worried about your dogs licking stainless steel, reviewers say it's smooth to the touch and is impossible for their dogs to chew apart. That makes it ideal for nervous chewers.
- Made of odor-free stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
- Hand washable
- Bigger size
- Durable
- Can stick anywhere
A heavy-duty lick mat for the heavy-duty dog, this extra-wide mat is made of stainless steel and features 48 strong suct...
Finding the Best Dog Lick Mats
Dog lick mats are truly so versatile and useful. They can keep your pet calm so you can carry on with care tasks like grooming and administering supplements or medications, with little struggle. Once you purchase the best lick mat for you and your pet, consider:
How to Care: The dog lick mat itself can get quite messy, and while your pet will surely do their best to remove all food from its surface, there will likely be some cleanup necessary. Many dog lick mats are dishwasher safe; however, it is typically recommended to use a low-heat setting. Be sure to read the packaging and follow the specific instructions. And, if you do not have a dishwasher or prefer to hand wash, use warm, soapy water. It is also often recommended that you let the lick mat soak for a bit in warm, soapy water, whether or not you use a dishwasher.
Pet Safety: Remember, dog lick mats are not considered toys and should not be chewed on or played with outside of licking or eating. Always supervise your pet when they are using their lick mat and be sure to not leave them at home alone with the mat under any circumstances.
Yes, lick mats can serve many purposes, all of which will ultimately benefit your pet. They can help calm and soothe dogs during stressful situations, because endorphins get released when dogs lick. Plus, the textured surfaces promote pleasurable licking action, which generates saliva. The additional generation of saliva can help protect your pet's teeth and gums. And the textured design can also aid in removing food pieces off your pet's tongue, promoting dental health and fresh breath.
Lick mats can be used with wet and dry dog food, peanut butter, cream cheese, whipped cream, minced meat, canned fish like sardines and salmon, pureed vegetables, bone broth, and other soft pet-friendly treats.
Yes, licking helps secrete endorphins, the happiness hormone, which can help soothe your pet in times of stress.