Not sure what to put on a dog lick mat that’s safe and keeps your dog occupied? Lick mats have quickly become one of the most popular enrichment tools for dogs. But knowing what foods are safe, healthy and really worth using makes all the difference.
When used properly, licking mats for dogs can calm anxious pups and slow down fast eaters. It can even turn everyday feeding into a mentally stimulating activity. This blog walks you through what can I put on a lick mat, the best foods to put on a dog lick mat, what to avoid, and how to use a dog lick mat safely.
What Is a LickiMat?
A LickiMat is a type of dog lick mat made with textured grooves or patterns that hold soft food in place. So instead of gulping food from a bowl, dogs are encouraged to lick slowly, which can keep them engaged for longer and also promote calm behaviour.
There are different styles available. You can find flat mats or wobble designs and slow feeder hybrids. Each option offers a slightly different challenge for pets. But they all serve the same purpose. It's to give controlled and soothing licking for your dogs. You can try out different styles by browsing this collection of dog lick mats. It's designed for daily enrichment and stress reduction.
What Are the Benefits of Licking for Dogs?
Licking is a natural self-soothing behaviour for dogs. So when dogs lick, their brains release endorphins, which help them feel calm and relaxed. That’s why a dog lick mat is often used during stressful moments like storms, grooming, crate time, fireworks or when guests arrive.
Regular use of a dog lick mat can:
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Reduce anxiety and nervous energy
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Slow down the fast eaters
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Provide mental stimulation
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Reduce behaviours related to boredom
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Encourage calm focus during feeding
This is also where many pet parents ask are lick mats safe for dogs. When paired with foods safe for dogs and sensible supervision, lick mats are not only safe, they’re really beneficial.
Best Foods to Put on a Dog Lick Mat
The best foods to put on a dog lick mat are soft, spreadable and safe that dogs can consume slowly. These foods cling to the textured surface and encourage longer licking sessions without making your pets frustrated.
Some reliable options include plain Greek yoghurt (with no sugar or sweeteners), natural peanut butter without xylitol, mashed pumpkin, wet dog food, cottage cheese in small amounts and soaked kibble blended into a smooth paste.
These foods work well across all types of dog lick mat designs. And it suits both daily feeding plans and enrichment use for pets.
Most Popular Lick Mat Recipe Ideas
Simple combinations work best when you’re rotating flavours and wondering what to put on dog lick mat setups to keep things interesting.
These are popular combinations dogs love include:
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Yoghurt mixed with mashed banana
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Pumpkin blended with a splash of dog safe bone broth
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Wet food spread thinly and frozen
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Peanut butter swirled with cottage cheese
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Raw food blends approved by your vet
Freezing your dog’s lick mat after spreading food helps extend licking time and is greatly helpful for energetic or anxious dogs.
How Much Food Should You Use on a Lick Mat?
A dog lick mat isn’t meant to hold a full meal every time. The goal is slow and controlled licking. It’s not overfeeding.
As a guide, small dogs usually need one to two tablespoons, medium dogs two to four tablespoons and large dogs up to six tablespoons. It’s a good idea to slightly reduce regular meal portions if lick mats are used daily. This’ll help your dogs to maintain a healthy balance.
Healthy Lick Mat Ideas for Dogs
There are many healthy lick mat ideas for dogs when nutrition is a priority.
Low-fat yoghurt with blueberries, mashed pumpkin and carrot, soaked kibble blended smooth, or wet food mixed with steamed vegetables are all great choices. These options answer the common question what can I put on a lick mat while keeping calories and sugar in check.
What NOT to Put on a Dog Lick Mat
Not all foods are safe for lick mats, even if they’re in small amounts.
Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, foods containing xylitol, flavoured or sugary yoghurts, and salty or spicy human foods. When people ask are lick mats bad for dogs, issues usually come from unsafe food choices.
Safety Tips When Using a Dog Lick Mat
You’ll need to supervise your dog’s early use and more so if yours is a chewer. And buy chew resistant mats for dogs with strong jaws. You need to remove the mat once the food is finished and clean it thoroughly after each use. These simple steps will never make licking mats for dogs a risk.
Cleaning and Maintaining Dog Lick Mats Tips
Many high quality dog lick mats are dishwasher safe. And they’re very easy to maintain. You need to wash it straight after use. Use a soft brush to clean grooves, but avoid harsh detergents and regularly check for wear. Clean mats last longer and keep feeding hygienically.
FAQs
What to put on a lick mat for dogs?
When deciding what to put on a lick mat for dogs, stick to soft, spreadable, dog-safe foods. Plain yoghurt, mashed pumpkin, wet dog food, soaked kibble and xylitol-free peanut butter all work well. Deeper designs like the Lickimat Yoggie Pot Red are ideal for thicker foods such as yoghurt, raw food or soaked kibble. They hold food securely and keep dogs licking for longer.
What’s best food for a lick mat?
The best for a lick mat is something that spreads easily. It should also encourage slow and steady licking. Yoghurt, pumpkin, blended kibble and wet food would be excellent. Flat mats like the Lickimat Dog Tuff Soother Green and Lickimat Dog Slomo Red are great for thin layers of food. The wobble or pot-style mats suit thicker mixes and frozen treats.
What are dogs’ favourite lick mat foods?
Most dogs love peanut butter, yoghurt, pumpkin and wet food on their lick mats. To keep things interesting, pairing favourite foods with interactive designs helps prevent boredom. The Lickimat Dog Wobble Green, for example, adds movement while dogs lick. It’s quite popular with energetic or easily bored dogs.
Best lick mat for dogs?
The best lick mat for dogs depends mainly on 3 things: their size, chewing habits, feeding style. Dogs that chew benefit from durable ones like Lickimat Dog Tuff Buddy Turquoise. Fast eaters should go for Lickimat Dog Slomo Red. West Paw Feast Mat – Waves Tropic Red for regular enrichment and eco-friendly feeding. It works as both a slow feeder and a lick mat.
What to Put on a Lick Mat?
A dog lick mat is one of the simplest ways to support your dog’s calmer behaviour, mental stimulation and healthier eating habits. You’ll get the most out of this enrichment tool by choosing safe, healthy foods, rotating flavours and using lick mats in moderation. When used correctly, lick mats aren’t just entertaining; they actively support your dog’s well-being.
