If your dog is a dedicated licker (you know the type: the one who licks the yogurt lid, the empty bowl, and possibly your ankle), a Lick Mat might just become their favorite thing in the house. It's one of the simplest enrichment tools out there, and one of the most fun to set up. Here's everything you need to get started.
What is a Lick Mat?
A Lick Mat is a flat mat or plate covered in textures: little ridges, bumps, swirls, and grooves. You spread a soft food over the surface, and your dog licks their way through the pattern to find every last bit. It turns a quick snack into a longer, more engaging moment, and it's wonderfully easy to prep.
Meet our Lick Mat lineup
Each of our designs has its own personality:
- Signature Lick Mat. Our everyday go-to with a mix of textures. A great first Lick Mat.
- Ocean Friends Lick Plate. A playful sea-themed design that adds a splash of color to snack time.
- Maze Lick Mat. Winding paths that make your dog follow the trail to the good stuff.
- Bloom Lick Mat. A flower-inspired pattern that's as pretty on the counter as it is on the floor.
You'll find all four in our Lick Mats collection.
Step 1: Choose a spread
Use soft foods your dog already enjoys as part of their usual diet: wet food, a portion of their regular meal mashed with a little water, or a soft spread you already give as a treat. If you're ever unsure whether a particular food suits your dog, check with your own veterinarian. We'll stick to the fun part: the spreading.
Step 2: Spread it thin (at first)
For first-timers, spread a thin, even layer across the whole surface. A thin layer means quick wins, and quick wins build excitement. As your dog gets the hang of it, press the food deeper into the grooves so it takes a little more work to reach.
Pattern tip: Deeper textures and twistier paths like the Maze Lick Mat usually take a bit longer to clear than open textures. Start simple, then level up.
Step 3 (optional): Try the freezer trick
Lots of dog parents like to prep a Lick Mat ahead and pop it in the freezer for a while before serving. A chilled spread takes longer to lick through, which stretches snack time into a longer little adventure. It's also a handy habit: prep two or three mats on Sunday and you've got ready-to-go snack moments for busy days.
Not every dog loves a frozen snack right away. If yours seems unsure, go back to a fresh, unfrozen spread and try again another day.
Step 4: Supervise and enjoy
Set the mat down on a flat, easy-to-wipe spot, like the kitchen floor or a washable towel. Stay nearby for the first few uses so you can see how your dog plays with it. Once the licking is done, pick the mat up. Lick Mats are snack-time tools, not chew toys, so they're best put away between sessions.
Step 5: Rinse and wipe clean
Cleanup is part of what makes Lick Mats so easy to love:
- Rinse the mat under warm water soon after use, before anything dries.
- Use a small brush or sponge to get into the grooves.
- Wipe clean and let it air dry fully before the next use.
Please follow the care notes on your specific product page for the best way to keep it looking bright.
Five spread ideas for variety
- The Swirl: a spiral of soft food from the center outward.
- Polka Dots: little dabs scattered across the mat for a mini treasure hunt.
- Half & Half: one food on each side so your dog discovers a surprise halfway.
- Topping Sprinkle: a thin spread with a few pieces of regular kibble pressed in.
- Layer Cake: a thin layer, a quick freeze, then a second thin layer.
Pair it with other tools
A Lick Mat is a lovely start to an enrichment routine. Many dog parents rotate it with a sniff-and-find game on a Snuffle Mat or a little problem-solving session with a Puzzle Feeder. Different tools, different kinds of fun.
Ready to spread the joy?
Whether you go classic with the Signature, splashy with Ocean Friends, twisty with the Maze, or flowery with the Bloom, a Lick Mat is a cheerful little upgrade to snack time. Explore the full Lick Mats collection, or browse everything on our Shop all enrichment picks page.
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