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Best Dog Lick Mats for 2022

Lick mats are a perfect enrichment tool for dogs that can keep them occupied through baths, grooms and nail cutting.

Dogs will be determined to get every last bit of food up, which can keep them still and busy. It is also a great way to calm down hyperactive dogs or try to tire them out.

When trying to choose a lick mat, it can be hard to find one which is perfect for your dog, and which is sturdy and reliable enough for them to use. We have picked out the best ones, which are safe and all offer something different for your pooch.

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Lickimat Buddy Treat Mat
    • Easy to use
    • Bright vivid colours
    Check Price
    Buddy Treat Mat
    • Really good strong suction
    • Deep grooves
    Check Price
    Lickimat Wobble
    • Extends the time it takes
    • Makes keeping busy fun!
    Check Price

    The Top 4 Dog Lick Mats Reviewed

    1.
    Lickimat Buddy Treat Mat

    Seen as one of the best lick mats around thanks to the big brand and slightly more difficult shapes, this colourful pick is easy to set up.

    Just spread the goods over with a spoon, and your dog can take their time getting every last bit up from the corners and grooves. Some reviews state that it has taken their pooch around an hour until they’re done.

    You can pop it onto a laminate floor and it won’t move or buy some suction cups to stick it on the bath or wall. It’s tough enough to put up with playful pups too.

    Features

    • Easy to use
    • Bright vivid colours

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 20.32 x 20.32 x 0.64 cm

    2.
    Buddy Treat Mat

    Need to stick it onto the side of the bath or tiled walls? The Buddy Treat Mat is perfect, thanks to the 37 regular arrangement suction cups on the back.

    The bone shape causes deep grooves, so your dog has to really stick their tongue into the grooves to get the goods out.

    Features

    • Really good strong suction
    • Deep grooves

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 14.9cm

    3.
    Lickimat Wobble

    This is a mat which makes keeping your dog occupied fun.

    It is in the shape of a bowl, so can roll around the floor which extends the time in which they take to finish. They also have to reach further into the bowl, which can cause a bit of a challenge.

    As for cleaning, the silicone is soft so you can also turn it inside out (which could also be good if your dog has to get the last little bits off the centre).

    Features

    • Extends the time it takes
    • Makes keeping busy fun!

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 16.5 x 8 x 16.5 cm

    4.
    Lickimat Soother Treat Mat

    If you’re after a mat which doesn’t pose a challenge as such and instead gives your dog easy access in times of fireworks or other scary moments, the Soother is ideal.

    The food is easy to access, but you still have the rougher surface which will help clean their tongue and stimulate saliva.

    Features

    • Really easy for them to access
    • Great for soothing pups

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 20.3 x 20.3 x 0.6 cm

    Buying Guide

    What can I put on a dog lick mat?

    You need to put something ‘wet’ on the mat, such as:

    It needs to be something the dog likes and will be determined to get the most of, so you should pick what your dog will be drawn to.

    Shape and size

    Check reviews for a guide on how long it takes dogs to finish the lick mat.

    You want to occupy them, but not take too long that they give up and don’t bother again. Deeper, closer together patterns will provide trickier but if it is a distracting tool rather than enrichment, a flatter mat with small grooves may be best.

    Other Buyers Ask...

    Does my dog need a lick mat?

    If your dog gets bored, fidgety or scared when they are being groomed or cleaned, a lick mat could come in handy. They can stick to flat surfaces such as bathroom walls or baths so your dog can easily access them, and they won’t move.

    Have you tried cutting your dogs claws and realised it is a two-person job as someone has to also hold the dog? A lick mat could cut out the need for your partner or child joining in, which will cut down on stress for your dog.

    It can also be good to distract them while you do other things. Really need to vacuum or sort the laundry but Barney wants 100% of your attention? Keep him occupied while you sort out everything else by sticking it on an internal door.

    They’re also a good tool for soothing anxiety. Say there are fireworks, or you’re having work done to the house and they don’t like strangers – if the pull of food is stronger, that is the issue solved. It can also eliminate boredom if they are fed up with their other toys.

    It also helps promote fresh breath by scraping off bacteria and undigested food particles from the tongue, as well as stimulating saliva production which aids digestion.

    Can I use lick mats with dry food?

    No, they’re just for liquid or sauce based wet foods. But if you want to slow your dogs eating down or they’re on a dry food-only diet, a slow feeder bowl or snuffle mat could work.