The best lick mats for dogs: benefits, uses & easy recipes
The complete beginner's guide to lick mats, what they are, why dogs adore them, the types we reach for again and again, and six easy recipes to spread on yours today.
Everything you'll learn
Quick start guide
New to lick mats? Here’s everything you need to get going.
Soother for beginners, Wobble Bowl for meals, or Playdate for more challenge.
Try plain yoghurt, pumpkin, mashed banana or xylitol-free peanut butter.
Press the topping into the grooves with the back of a spoon.
Freeze for 1–3 hours if you want the lick mat to last longer.
Supervise your dog, count toppings toward their daily food, and let them enjoy.
If you have a dog, you've probably had one of these moments: dinner disappearing in seconds, a thunderstorm turning them restless, or a long afternoon where nothing seems to settle them. That's how lick mats started for us, not as a trend, but as a simple solution to an everyday problem.
I was looking for an easy way to keep Lana busy and help her settle. A friend suggested a lick mat, so I tried a little plain yoghurt. Instead of losing interest, she settled into one of the quietest, most focused moments she'd had all week. We've used them ever since.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only ever share things I genuinely love. Read my full affiliate disclosure.
What is a lick mat, and why dogs love them
A lick mat is a textured silicone mat, bowl or tray designed to hold soft food. Your dog licks the food from the grooves, ridges and bumps, turning a small amount of food into a slower, more focused activity.
- Food-grade, BPA-free silicone, soft on the tongue
- Freezer and dishwasher safe
- Suction or grippy base to help it stay in place
It's easy to assume that's just a tidy way to serve a treat, but the reasons dogs respond so strongly run a little deeper. Here are the four benefits we notice most with Lana.
Mental enrichment
A lick mat taps into your dog's natural instinct to work for food. The licking and problem-solving help keep their brain busy and focused.
Helps reduce boredom
A few minutes of focused licking gives your dog a simple job to do and can help take the edge off restless, bored energy.
Can promote calm behaviour
Licking can be naturally soothing. We often reach for a lick mat during storms, when visitors arrive, or when Lana needs help settling.
Makes treats last longer
Spread a small treat across the textured mat and it becomes a longer activity. Freeze it to make the experience last even longer.
Our favourite types of lick mats
The right mat really does depend on your dog. Here's our small shelf of favourites, each one suited to a different need, based on what we've actually lived with at home.
Soother Mat
Soft, shallow grooves, soothing rather than challenging. The one to start with.
Worth knowing: Empties fast for keen lickers, so freeze it.
View on Amazon
Playdate Mat
Firmer ridges and waffles, so a determined dog has to work harder.
Worth knowing: Can frustrate beginners, and holds less than a bowl.
View on Amazon
Wobble Bowl
A textured bowl on a weighted base that holds a full meal, not a snack.
Worth knowing: Bulkier to store, and it can tip with a forceful dog.
View on Amazon
Yoggie Pot
Deep pot with high sides for yoghurt and kefir. The tidy choice.
Worth knowing: Trickier to clean and harder to store flat.
View on Amazon
Keeper Tray
A weighted frame that holds a mat still, so nothing slides or flips.
Worth knowing: An extra piece to store, only for keen flippers.
View on AmazonSwipe for all five →
How to choose the right lick mat
With so many options, it helps to start from your dog rather than the product. Here's the quick-reference guide we share with friends, find the line that sounds most like your dog, and you'll have your answer in seconds.
Using lick mats for mealtime
Lick mats aren't only for treats. They can also turn everyday meals into slower, more engaging enrichment. Here are a few simple ways we use them at home, and every dog is different, so your results may vary.
Dinner that lasts longer
Press soft food into the grooves to turn fast meals into slower, more focused licking.
Minutes, not secondsLess mess at mealtime
Mashed veggies or blended fresh food stays put on the mat instead of ending up on the floor.
Tidy & containedSame kibble, more excitement
A spoon of plain yoghurt, broth or puréed food over usual kibble makes mealtime feel new again.
Easy upgradeFor the gulpers
Spread food thinly across the grooves so your dog has to lick instead of swallow, helping them slow down naturally.
Slower eatingI like to prep three mats at once and stack them in the freezer, always ready when you need them.
Lick mats for enrichment & calm
Beyond mealtimes, a lick mat is an easy thing to reach for in the small everyday moments that unsettle a dog. You probably know the feeling, your dog pacing from window to window on a rainy afternoon, certain they're missing something outside. A frozen mat is often all it takes to break that loop. Here's when we reach for one most.
Recovery days.
A gentle way to keep your dog calm and occupied after surgery or injury.
Visitors arriving.
Helps ease excitement and nervous energy when the doorbell rings.
Grooming sessions.
A simple distraction that keeps your dog still and calm during grooming.
Crate rest.
Turns the crate into a calm, positive space and gives them a quiet activity to enjoy. Shop crate lick mat →
Stick a mat to the side of the bath before grooming. By the time Lana has licked it clean, the worst of the brushing is already done, no wrestling required.
A few minutes of slow, happy licking can settle a dog more gently than almost anything else in the house.From Life With Lana ♡
Easy lick mat recipes
Simple, dog-safe spreads with a few ingredients each. Every one can be frozen to make the fun last longer.
♡ Always check peanut butter labels for xylitol, and count toppings toward your dog's daily food.
Blueberry Yoghurt Delight
Two ingredients, one mat, your freezer does the rest.
Ingredients
- Plain yoghurt (unsweetened)
- A handful of blueberries
How to make
- Spread plain yoghurt into the grooves of the mat.
- Press a few squashed blueberries over the top, or blend the berries into the yoghurt first for a pretty purple swirl.
- Freeze for 2–3 hours for a cooling treat that really lasts.
♡ Tip: Both ways work beautifully, blended looks prettier, whole berries give more texture. More like this in our lick mat recipes post.
Banana Peanut Butter Treat
Ingredients
- ½ ripe banana, mashed
- 1 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free)
How to make
- Mash the banana and peanut butter together until smooth.
- Spread across the mat, right into the grooves.
- Freeze for 1–2 hours; the banana sets beautifully.
♡ Lana’s all-time favourite, and the one I reach for when I’m in a hurry.
Pumpkin & Yoghurt Swirl
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp plain pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp plain yoghurt
How to make
- Swirl the pumpkin and yoghurt together for a marbled look.
- Spread thinly across the grooves.
- Freeze for 2 hours.
♡ Mild, simple and lovely for storm season.
Apple & Cottage Cheese Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp plain cottage cheese
- Finely grated apple (no seeds or core)
How to make
- Stir the grated apple through the cottage cheese.
- Spread on and serve fresh, light, fresh and low-fat.
- Or freeze for 1 hour if you’d like it firmer.
♡ Use plain, unsalted cottage cheese, and go easy on the first serve, some dogs are sensitive to dairy.
Frozen Berry Treat
Ingredients
- Plain yoghurt or kefir
- Blueberries, raspberries or strawberries (stems and tops removed, sliced)
How to make
- Blend the berries into the yoghurt for a colourful swirl, or keep the yoghurt plain.
- Spread across the mat and lay sliced berries over the top.
- Freeze for 3 hours or more, the longest-lasting treat here.
♡ Stick to blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, keep raspberry portions small. Never grapes or cherries, both are toxic to dogs.
Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed cooked sweet potato (cooled)
- 1 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free)
How to make
- Stir the two together until smooth.
- Spread thickly, the texture fills grooves perfectly.
- Serve at room temperature, or freeze 1–2 hours for a longer session.
♡ Always use cooked sweet potato, never raw.
Want more, including mango, watermelon and savoury chicken versions? We have a whole post of lick mat recipes for dogs and easy frozen yoghurt dog treats to try next.
01Are lick mats safe for puppies?
Yes, lick mats are a lovely calm activity for puppies, as long as you supervise. Choose a soft, food-grade silicone mat like a Soother, use puppy-safe toppings in small amounts, and take the mat away if your puppy starts chewing rather than licking it. They're a great way to settle the zoomies and build positive associations with crate or bath time.
02Can lick mats be frozen?
Absolutely, most silicone lick mats are freezer safe, and freezing is one of the best things you can do with them. Spread on a soft topping, freeze for one to three hours, and you'll turn a five-minute snack into twenty minutes or more of cooling, calming work. Frozen mats are perfect for hot days, longer enrichment and crate rest.
03How often can dogs use lick mats?
A lick mat can be used daily, either as part of mealtime or as a calming wind-down ritual. The main thing is to count any toppings toward your dog's daily food so treats stay in balance, and to keep everyday portions small. Many owners use one once or twice a day without any problem.
04What foods should be avoided on a lick mat?
Always avoid xylitol (found in some peanut butters), grapes, raisins, chocolate, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts and anything very salty or sugary, these are toxic or unhealthy for dogs. Stick to dog-safe staples like plain yoghurt, plain pumpkin, banana, cottage cheese, xylitol-free peanut butter and your dog's usual food. When in doubt, keep it simple.
05Can lick mats replace puzzle toys?
They complement each other rather than replace one another. Lick mats are best for calm, soothing enrichment and slowing down eating, while puzzle toys challenge problem-solving and encourage active thinking. Rotating between the two keeps a busy dog engaged and helps prevent boredom, many dogs love having both.
06How long should a lick mat session last?
Most sessions last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the topping and whether it's frozen. There's no strict limit, let your dog finish at their own pace, then take the mat away to wash. If you'd like sessions to last longer, freezing the topping is the easiest way to stretch the time.
Final thoughts
If there's one thing I hope you take from this guide, it's that a lick mat isn't really about the mat at all, it's about the small, quiet moments it makes possible. A meal that lasts longer. A storm that passes more gently. A rainy afternoon that ends with a contented, sleepy dog instead of a restless one. For something so simple, it changes the rhythm of a day in the loveliest way.
Start with whichever mat matches your dog's biggest need, keep your first few recipes simple, and pay attention to what settles them most. Some dogs melt over a frozen yoghurt swirl; others light up for warm pumpkin or their ordinary dinner served slowly. There's no single right answer, the joy is in discovering what your own dog enjoys.
I'm a dog lover sharing what works for us, not a vet or behaviourist, if your dog has any health, diet or behaviour concerns, please check with your own vet first. And always supervise your dog with a new mat, keep toppings xylitol-free and dog-safe, count them toward the daily food, and wash the mat after each use.
So pick a mat, spread on something delicious, and watch what happens. However you use yours, here's to slower meals, calmer days, and a little more everyday joy for you and your pup.
Share your dog's happy, messy face
I'd genuinely love to see it, tag us on Instagram.
@lana.thegoldenretrieverYou might also love
Lick mat recipes for dogs
Simple spreads and toppings that turn a lick mat into the best part of your dog's day.
Frozen yoghurt dog treats
Three easy recipes your dog will beg for, perfect for warm days and cozy afternoons.
Homemade dog treat essentials
The small kit of tools we actually reach for when we bake and spread for Lana.