A lick mat gives your dog a quiet, tasty task that they can carry out themselves. This is useful when brushing, clipping nails, or during a quiet moment at home. Whether a lick mat does more than just keep your dog occupied has not yet been well researched. We have not found any studies on lick mats themselves, but we have found some on similar food-dispensing toys. You can read what is known from those below, so you can determine for yourself whether a lick mat is right for you and your dog.
What is a lick mat and how does it work?
A lick mat is a silicone mat with a textured surface on which you spread soft food so that your dog licks it slowly.
The pattern holds the treat, which keeps your dog busy longer than with a regular food bowl. Our 21 x 21 cm lick mat has a geometric pattern and suction cups on the bottom, so the mat stays in place while your dog licks. Your dog works at their own pace, and you have your hands free.
Dogs naturally look for food and work for it. A food bowl requires little effort. A lick mat requires something: licking, sniffing, and persevering until the last bits are gone.
What do owners think of food-dispensing toys?
Owners primarily see mental stimulation as a benefit of food-dispensing toys.
This is shown by a survey of 1,750 owners (Heys et al., 2024). Stuffed rubber toys, chews, and activity toys were used most often, mainly to keep the dog occupied and to give treats. A commonly mentioned obstacle was lack of time. Most owners thought that food toys help with behavior they find difficult and with foraging for food.
This concerns what owners report themselves, not a controlled experiment. The survey also showed that dogs that eat from food toys were more interested in food, showed more fear of other dogs, and presented more training challenges. An survey cannot show whether the toy is the cause or if owners use it precisely for those reasons. The researchers themselves state that experimental research is needed. The study was funded by the Animal Welfare Foundation, a welfare organization.
Does a lick mat make your dog calmer?
This has not been researched for lick mats themselves, and research into similar food toys paints a mixed picture.
In a small pilot study with 17 laboratory dogs (Schipper et al., 2008), eight dogs were given a rubber toy filled with treats. Nine dogs were given nothing. The dogs with the toy showed more foraging behavior, were more active, and barked less. This involved dogs in kennels and short-term effects.
Another pilot study, with ten young assistance dogs in training (Hunt et al., 2022), found a different picture. Stuffed food toys caused the least change in behavior of all activities tested. Playing with a conspecific and a playhouse did more for relaxation and reduced stress behavior. No funding was reported for this study.
Both studies are small, and neither investigated a lick mat. We therefore see a lick mat as a fun activity, not as a replacement for walking, playing, and rest.
When is a lick mat useful?
A lick mat is useful at times when your dog could use a quiet activity.
Think of brushing, clipping nails, or a moment at home when you need your hands for a while. The mat distracts your dog with something tasty while you do your task. My golden retriever Sep licks the mat completely clean; I find it ideal when I need to clip his nails or mop at home.
This is also how you build a pleasant association with actions that not every dog finds enjoyable. If your dog doesn't want anything to do with the mat, that's okay too. Every dog has its own preference, and not every dog enjoys licking.
Which dogs is a lick mat suitable for?
A lick mat is suitable for most dogs that enjoy licking and eating, as long as the mat fits the size of the dog and you supervise them.
In the survey by Heys et al. (2024), older owners and owners of older dogs and working dogs used food toys less often. That says something about habit, not about suitability. An older dog can perfectly well enjoy a lick mat, and an energetic dog needs exercise and play in addition to a lick mat.
If your dog has dental problems, eats with difficulty, or you have a health question, ask your veterinarian first what is wise. This also applies if your dog eats very quickly or has a poor appetite.
How does a lick mat fit into your dog's daily routine?
A lick mat fits best as a supplement to walking, playing, and rest, not as a replacement.
The study by Hunt et al. (2022) shows why. In that pilot study, playing with a conspecific provided more relaxation and less stress behavior than stuffed food toys. A lick mat is therefore no replacement for social contact, exercise, and your attention.
You can, however, link the mat to moments that occur every day, such as brushing after a walk. A fixed moment makes it predictable for your dog and easier for you to keep up. Keep it varied: a lick mat is one of the ways you can make eating more fun, in addition to, for example, a rope toy for play.
What should you look out for when using a lick mat?
Stay nearby while your dog licks, and only use the mat for licking.
A lick mat is not a chew toy. If your dog tries to chew the silicone, remove the mat. Count what you spread into the daily amount of food so that your dog does not unintentionally consume too much. Wash the mat after use so that no residue remains. If you are unsure which spread is suitable for your dog, ask your veterinarian.
Do you have any questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a lick mat instead of a food bowl?
Yes, for part of the meal you can, as long as your dog gets their full daily amount of food. Dry kibble will not stick to the mat. Therefore, try a paste of soaked kibble or another soft spread that suits your dog. Keep track of how much your dog consumes this way, so you can adjust the rest of their meal.
How do you choose a lick mat that suits your dog?
Choose a mat that is large enough for your dog's muzzle and stays firmly in place. Look for silicone as the material, a texture in which the treat stays, and suction cups on the bottom. For a small dog, a smaller surface is often sufficient; a large dog needs more room to lick comfortably. Our lick mat is 21 x 21 cm and is actually suitable for all dogs.
How do you get your dog used to a lick mat?
Start with a thin layer of something your dog loves and let them discover the mat calmly. Place the mat on a flat surface where the suction cups are well attached. Never force your dog to lick. If they show interest, build up the use slowly, for example, first during a calm moment and only then during brushing.
What can you spread on a lick mat?
Anything that is soft and suitable for dogs, but always check the ingredient list. Peanut butter is often mentioned, including in the description of our lick mat. Choose a variety without added sweeteners and pay attention to the amount of salt. If you have doubts about a spread, ask your veterinarian before using it.
David is the founder of VerdaDog. He grew up with a dog that struggled with allergies, and that set him thinking about how he could prevent that for his own dog. He has been eating a plant-based diet for over ten years himself, and that interest in nutrition, for himself and his dog, forms the basis of VerdaDog. This article was written based on peer-reviewed research. David does not claim veterinary or scientific expertise and always refers to a veterinarian for medical advice.
Sources
Heys, M., Lloyd, I., & Westgarth, C. (2024). 'Bowls are boring': Investigating enrichment feeding for pet dogs and the perceived benefits and challenges. Veterinary Record, 194(4), e3169. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3169
Hunt, R. L., Whiteside, H., & Prankel, S. (2022). Effects of environmental enrichment on dog behaviour: Pilot study. Animals, 12(2), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020141
Schipper, L. L., Vinke, C. M., Schilder, M. B. H., & Spruijt, B. M. (2008). The effect of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(1–2), 182–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2008.01.001
