Best Lick Mat for Dogs: Benefits, Recipes & What to Put on a Lick Mat

If you haven't tried a lick mat yet, you're missing out on one of the simplest and most satisfying enrichment tools for dogs. They keep anxious dogs calm, slow down fast eaters, make mealtimes more interesting, and — depending on what you put on them — can double as a dental treatment or a nutritional boost.

We've been selling lick mats since before they were everywhere, and we still think they're one of the best things you can add to your dog's routine. Here's the full picture.

Lick Mat for Dogs: Quick Reference Guide

What is a Lick Mat?

A lick mat — often called a Lickimat, after the Australian brand that started it all — is a flat or shaped mat with a textured surface designed for your dog to lick food off. The texture creates nooks and grooves that hold soft food in place, making your dog work for every lick.

That repetitive licking action is the whole point. It stimulates saliva production, which aids digestion and helps clean the mouth. More importantly, licking releases endorphins — it's genuinely calming for dogs in the same way fidget tools help humans. A dog focused on a lick mat is a relaxed dog.

They come in flat versions (the classic Lickimat Buddy or Soother), bowl-shaped versions (the Yoggie Pot), wobble feeders, and more. The right one depends on what you're trying to do — more on that below.

Benefits of Lick Mats for Dogs

Lick Mats for Anxiety & Stress Relief

This is the benefit most people don't expect until they see it in action. The rhythmic licking motion activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the "rest and digest" mode — which genuinely reduces stress and anxiety. Dogs who struggle with separation anxiety, vet visits, grooming, thunderstorms, or the chaos of the doorbell going off repeatedly tend to settle faster with a lick mat to focus on (if high value treats are on said mat of course!).

For separation anxiety specifically, giving your dog a lick mat right before you leave gives them something to do in that critical first ten minutes when they're most likely to spiral.

Lick Mats for Slow Feeding

Dogs who eat too fast are at risk of bloat, regurgitation, and digestive discomfort. A lick mat naturally slows them right down because they physically can't gulp — they have to lick, and that takes time. For dogs who inhale their food, a lick mat is one of the most effective slow feeders you can use, particularly for wet food or any food that can be spread.

For a deeper dive on fast eating and other slow feeder options, we wrote a full guide on how to stop your dog eating too fast →

Lick Mats for Mental Stimulation & Boredom

Licking requires focus. It's a low-intensity form of mental work that tires dogs out in a different way than physical exercise — useful on rainy days, recovery periods after surgery or illness, or just as a daily enrichment activity. A bored dog is often a destructive dog, and a lick mat is a cheap and easy fix.

Lick Mats for Dental Health

This one is less well known. The texture of a lick mat — particularly the soft bristle mats like the Lickimat Soother — physically cleans the tongue and gums as your dog licks. The licking action also stimulates saliva, which neutralises mouth bacteria and helps prevent plaque build-up.

This is why we pair our Grinkles Healthy Chompers dental supplement specifically with a Lickimat Soother. Mix a small amount of coconut oil (not yet liquified) with Healthy Chompers and spread it onto the bristled surface. As your dog licks, the Ascophyllum nodosum in the blend reduces plaque and tartar, the parsley freshens breath, and the soft bristles scrape the tongue clean of odour-causing bacteria. It smells good too.

It's the closest thing to toothbrushing that most dogs will actually tolerate.

What to Put on a Lick Mat

The short answer: anything soft, dog-safe, and spreadable. Here are the fillings that work best:

Everyday fillings:

• Natural peanut butter (unsalted, xylitol-free — always check the label)
• Plain Greek or natural yoghurt
• Raw meat
• Mashed banana or pumpkin
• Bone broth — great for hydration and palatability
• Soft cooked sweet potato or carrot

Nutritional boosts:

• A spoonful of Doggy Grub casserole spread over the mat — works brilliantly on its own or mixed with yoghurt. It's soft, aromatic, and most dogs who are fussy about their bowl will go straight for it on a mat. The casserole texture spreads easily and the smell keeps them engaged longer than peanut butter alone.
• Coconut oil mixed with Grinkles Healthy Chompers for the dental treatment described above
• A drizzle of cod liver oil over any other filling for an omega-3 boost

For longer sessions — freeze it: Any filling can be frozen for a significantly longer licking session — typically 3–5x the time of an unfrozen mat. This is particularly useful on hot days, during grooming or vet visits, or when you need your dog occupied for a while. Freeze overnight and serve straight from the freezer.

Best Lick Mat Recipes for Dogs

The Doggy Grub Discovery Fill

This is our favourite and the one we recommend to anyone with a fussy eater who has been sceptical about lick mats.

What you need:

• 1–2 tablespoons of Doggy Grub casserole (any flavour)
• Optional: a small spoonful of Greek yoghurt to thin it slightly

How to do it: Spread the casserole over the mat surface, pressing it into the grooves. Add yoghurt if you want a thinner consistency. Serve immediately or freeze for 2+ hours for a longer session.

The combination of real meat, visible vegetables, and the slow-cooked smell is genuinely irresistible to most dogs — including dogs who have refused wet food, refused raw food, and refused every other novel thing you've tried. It's one of the reasons we bundle a Lickimat Buddy with our Discovery Bundle.

PB & Banana Froyo

Blend together a few tablespoons of natural yoghurt, a tablespoon of natural peanut butter, and a sliced banana until smooth. Pour into a mat or Yoggie Pot and freeze for at least 4 hours. A classic for a reason.

Yoggie Berry Crumble

Fill your Yoggie Pot or mat with plain Greek yoghurt. Top with fresh or frozen mixed berries. Crumble a dog biscuit over the top for texture and extra interest. Simple and they love it.

More recipes in our Yoggie Pot recipe guide →

How to Choose the Best Lick Mat for Your Dog

Lickimat Buddy — The Original

The flat classic with a cross-pattern texture. Works with almost anything spreadable. Good starting point if you've never used a lick mat before. Affordable and easy to clean.

Best for: everyday use, first-time users, small to medium dogs

Lickimat Soother — Best for Anxiety & Dental Health

Soft rubber bristles instead of ridges, which extends licking time significantly and provides a gentle tongue-cleaning action. The bristle texture is the one to choose if you're using the mat specifically for anxiety or dental health.

Best for: anxious dogs, the Grinkles Healthy Chompers dental routine, any dog who needs a longer session

Lickimat Slomo — Best for Fast Eaters

A divided tray with dual textures — part ridged, part smooth — designed to make dogs work harder for their food. The structure slows eating right down and works well with wet food or a mix of wet and dry.

Best for: fast eaters, feeding full meals rather than treats

Lickimat Wobble & UFO — For Extra Challenge

The Wobble is a bowl on a curved base that rocks as your dog licks, adding a puzzle element. The UFO is similar with a flying saucer shape. Both are good for dogs who've mastered the flat mat and need more stimulation.

Best for: smart dogs, boredom busting, dogs who need a bigger challenge

Lickimat Yoggie Pot — For Frozen Treats

A deep silicone bowl designed for frozen fillings. Pour in your mixture, freeze, and it comes out as a solid treat your dog can lick down to the bottom. Perfect for summer.

Best for: frozen treats, hot days, longer sessions

Browse our full Lickimat range →

Lick Mat Safety Tips

• Always supervise, especially if your dog is a chewer. Some dogs will try to eat the mat itself, particularly cheaper versions. If yours does this, look at the Lickimat Tuff series which has a harder, more chew-resistant shell.
• Clean after every use. Most Lickimats are dishwasher safe — check the packaging. Bacteria builds up in the grooves quickly if mats aren't cleaned properly.
• Don't overfill. You want a thin layer that your dog has to work for, not a pile of food they can scoop up in two licks.
• Rotate fillings to keep it interesting. A dog who always gets peanut butter on their mat will eventually stop being excited about it.

How to Care for Your Lick Mat

Cleaning after every use is non-negotiable — the grooves and texture that make lick mats so effective at holding food are the same reason bacteria builds up quickly if you leave them. Don't let a used mat sit on the counter.

Most Lickimats are dishwasher safe — top rack, and check the packaging for your specific mat. For hand washing, warm soapy water and a soft brush (an old toothbrush works well) to get into the grooves is the most effective approach. Avoid anything abrasive that could damage the texture.

Let them dry fully before storing or using again — moisture trapped in the grooves isn't ideal.

Inspect regularly if your dog is a chewer. Look for bite marks, tears, or pieces coming away from the surface. A mat that's starting to break down should be replaced — you don't want your dog accidentally ingesting rubber.

Store flat rather than rolled or folded to keep the texture in good shape over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lick Mats for Dogs

What do you put on a lick mat for dogs? Anything soft and spreadable — peanut butter, yoghurt, mashed banana, pumpkin puree, bone broth, soft cooked vegetables, or fresh dog food like Doggy Grub casserole. The key is that it needs to sit in the grooves and require actual licking to get out, so avoid anything too runny.

Can you put fresh dog food on a lick mat? Yes — and it works really well. A spoonful of fresh food casserole spread over a lick mat is one of the most effective ways to introduce a new food to a sceptical dog, or to get a fussy eater engaged with their meal. Some Lickimat are designed for dry food also like the Slodog.

How long should a dog use a lick mat? As long as the food lasts, basically. A typical session is 5–20 minutes unfrozen, longer if frozen. There's no upper time limit — extended licking is calming and beneficial, not harmful.

Can puppies use lick mats? Yes — lick mats are great for puppies from weaning age onwards. They're useful for keeping puppies calm during grooming and nail trims, and for mental stimulation during the early weeks at home. We recommend the Tuff series, or using a Lickimat Outdoor Keeper , as puppies tend to chew everything.

Are lick mats good for dogs with anxiety? Yes — the repetitive licking action releases endorphins and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress. Many owners use lick mats specifically during thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits, or when leaving the house.

How do you clean a lick mat? Most Lickimats are dishwasher safe. For hand washing, use warm soapy water and a soft brush to get into the grooves. Don't let them sit unwashed — the texture traps food and bacteria builds up quickly.

Can I freeze a lick mat? Yes — freezing is one of the best ways to use a lick mat. It significantly extends the session time, makes it more stimulating, and is perfect for hot days. Most fillings freeze well; avoid anything with a very high water content that might become icy and hard.

We hope this guide helps you! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments below!

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The Doggy Grub blog is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve happier, healthier lives, changing the way we feed our dogs one bowl at a time! If you would like to know more about our fresh food head to Doggy Grub