Lick Mats for Dogs

There’s no right or wrong time to use a lick mat, and they provide the mental stimulation your canine companion needs, whatever the time of day or night.

Whether you’re heading to the office for the morning or popping out to do the weekly food shop on an afternoon, a lick mat is the perfect pastime for your pooch, to distract them and relieve any anxieties until you return home.

However, it’s important to note that if you intend to leave your dog unsupervised, they must be fully trained.

Also, interactive mats should only be used once a day, and you should ensure that you’re using appropriate foods for your specific lick mat.

There are plenty of things you can put on lick mats for dogs – from dog-safe peanut butter to their usual wet food. Some other popular ingredients include:

• Mashed banana
• Mashed sweet potato
• Greek yoghurt
• Fruit and vegetable purees
• Canned fish

You can even use their regular wet food or raw food to encourage slow feeding, improve digestion, and reduce bloating! Whatever ingredients you choose to spread over your puppy lick mat, you should ensure it’s safe for your pooch to consume.

If you find your pup licks the mat clean too quickly, and want to provide them with a little extra mental stimulation, pop their lick mat in the freezer for a little while! Not only will a frozen lick mat keep them busier for longer, but it’s also the perfect treat to keep them cool on scorching summer days!

Regular cleaning is important if you want to keep your interactive dog mat free from build-ups of bacteria and mould.

However, some lick mats can be difficult to keep clean.

Some dog lick mats are dishwasher safe, and can be popped on the top rack with all your other dishes for ultimate convenience. However, hand-washing is always best if you want to keep your dog’s lick mat looking like new and free from bacteria and mould.

To do this, start bysoaking your lick mat in warm, soapy water for at least 15 minutes before taking a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub away any of the remaining food debris.

Once you’ve done this, give your lick mat a thorough rinse to remove all soap residue, and leave it to air dry before giving it back to your pup.

It's important to note that the range we supply from LickiMat isn't dishwasher safe, as they are made from natural rubber, and the drying cycle heat may warp the mat, so we recommend sticking to your soapy water and trustysponge.

There are many ways your four-legged friend can benefit from using a lick mat, including:

• Stress reduction

The extended licking motion encouraged by lick mats releases endorphins, a calming hormone which can help dogs feel relaxed during stressful situations.

• Improved behaviour

Lick mats can become the perfect companion to ease the training process. Successfully training your dog to sleep or spend extended periods in a crate, for example, requires you to create a positive association with this space. This could look like using a lick mat covered in their favourite treats.

• Better oral health

By stimulating saliva production, a lick mat can help keep your dog's teeth, tongue, and gums healthy, eliminating plaque and harmful bacteria.

• Encourages slow feeding

Lick mats with different textures make the ideal slow feeder for your pooch. It effectively reduces the speed of your pet's eating, extending their mealtime, which contributes to improved digestion and reduced bloating!