Top 10 Lick Mats + 15 Recipe Ideas
Lick mats have exploded in popularity — and for good reason. These simple silicone or rubber mats turn snack time into a calming, enriching experience that can occupy your dog for 20+ minutes. The repetitive licking action releases endorphins, reduces anxiety, and slows down fast eaters. Plus, frozen lick mat recipes can keep dogs busy for even longer.
We tested the top lick mats on the market to find the best options for different needs — from classic flat mats to bowl-style feeders to suction-cup mountable options. Here are our top four picks, plus 15 recipe ideas to spread on them.
🏆Our #1 Pick: LickiMat Classic Soother
The original lick mat that started it all — cross-shaped pattern holds spreads perfectly and promotes calming, repetitive licking for up to 20 minutes.
Why Lick Mats Work So Well
The science behind lick mats is surprisingly compelling:
- Repetitive licking triggers endorphin release — the same calming chemicals as exercise
- Slows eating by 5-10x compared to a regular bowl — great for dogs who inhale food
- Redirects anxious energy into a focused, rewarding task
- Promotes dental health — the licking action helps scrape plaque from the tongue
- Can be used as a distraction during baths, nail trims, and vet visits
Our Top Lick Mat Picks
1. Best Overall: LickiMat Classic Soother
LickiMat Classic Soother
Check price on AmazonWhy we love it: The original lick mat that started it all — cross-shaped pattern holds spreads perfectly and promotes calming, repetitive licking for up to 20 minutes.
What makes it stand out:
- Cross-shaped surface texture holds peanut butter, yogurt, and wet food securely
- Promotes slow, repetitive licking that releases calming endorphins
- Food-grade, non-toxic materials safe for daily use
- Dishwasher safe and freezer safe for easy prep and cleanup
- Comes in a multi-pack option for variety and rotation
Pros:
- The gold standard in lick mats
- Excellent calming effect
- Freezer + dishwasher safe
- Multiple texture options available
Cons:
- Flat design can slide on smooth floors
- Aggressive chewers may damage edges
Best for: Anxiety relief during storms, vet visits, or grooming, Slowing down fast eaters
Price: $20.90
2. Best Bowl-Style: LickiMat Wobble Bowl
LickiMat Wobble Bowl
Check price on AmazonWhy we love it: The lick mat evolved into a bowl — deeper capacity holds more food while the wobbling motion adds an extra layer of engagement.
What makes it stand out:
- Bowl design holds significantly more food than flat mats — great for full meals
- Weighted base wobbles but doesn't tip — keeps dogs engaged and entertained
- Textured interior surface works just like a flat lick mat for calming
- Suction-cup base option for stability on smooth surfaces
- Perfect for freezing larger portions of enrichment recipes
Pros:
- Holds more food than flat mats
- Fun wobbling action
- Great for frozen meals
- Amazing value under $10
Cons:
- Slightly harder to clean than flat mats
- Wobble can frustrate some dogs initially
Best for: Mealtime enrichment and slow feeding, Freezing larger treat portions
Price: $9.99
🏆🏆 Still Our Top Pick
LickiMat Classic Soother — the original and still the best
3. Best for Bath Time: Aquapaw Slow Treater
Aquapaw Slow Treater
Check price on AmazonWhy we love it: The lick mat that sticks anywhere — powerful suction cup mounts to walls, tubs, and tiles for hands-free distraction during baths and grooming.
What makes it stand out:
- Industrial-strength suction cup sticks to any smooth surface — walls, tubs, glass, tiles
- Specifically designed for bath time distraction — keeps dogs calm during grooming
- Textured surface holds peanut butter and soft treats perfectly
- Made from food-grade silicone that's BPA-free and dishwasher safe
- Also works great on floors, fridge doors, and crate walls
Pros:
- Sticks to walls for hands-free use
- Perfect for bath time
- Food-grade silicone
- Versatile mounting options
Cons:
- Smaller surface area than full-sized mats
- Won't stick to textured surfaces
Best for: Bath time and grooming distractions, Mounting on walls and crate doors
Price: $14.12
4. Best Budget: Hyper Pet IQ Treat Mat
Hyper Pet IQ Treat Mat
Check price on AmazonWhy we love it: The budget-friendly lick mat with a unique pattern that holds spreads extra well — perfect for trying lick mats without the commitment.
What makes it stand out:
- Lowest price entry point for lick mat enrichment — under $8
- Unique raised pattern creates deep grooves that hold food longer
- Made from food-safe, non-toxic rubber material
- Dishwasher safe for easy daily cleaning
- Large enough for generous portions of any spread or recipe
Pros:
- Best budget option
- Deep grooves hold food well
- Dishwasher safe
- Good size for all dogs
Cons:
- Less premium feel than LickiMat
- Can slide without being held down
Best for: First-time lick mat buyers, Budget-conscious pet owners
Price: $7.99
15 Lick Mat Recipe Ideas
The best part about lick mats is the endless recipe possibilities. Here are 15 vet-approved ideas:
Quick & Easy (No Freezing Needed)
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free) — the classic crowd-pleaser
- Plain Greek yogurt — probiotic-rich and dogs love it
- Mashed banana — naturally sweet and easy to spread
- Canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling) — great for digestion
- Wet dog food — turn regular meals into enrichment
Frozen Recipes (20-45 Minutes of Engagement)
- Peanut butter + banana + yogurt — freeze 4 hours for the ultimate combo
- Pumpkin + a drizzle of honey + kibble bits — freeze overnight
- Bone broth frozen as a base + peanut butter on top — two-layer challenge
- Blueberries + yogurt blended smooth — antioxidant-rich frozen treat
- Sweet potato puree + a sprinkle of cinnamon — warming and delicious
Special Occasion Recipes
- Watermelon puree (seedless) — perfect summer refresher
- Cottage cheese + diced apple — protein-packed and crunchy
- Sardines mashed with a fork — omega-3 powerhouse (smelly but dogs LOVE it)
- Baby food (meat-based, no onion/garlic) — ultra-smooth and easy for senior dogs
- Goat milk kefir — probiotic-dense fermented option
Lick Mat Tips & Best Practices
- Always use xylitol-free peanut butter — xylitol is toxic to dogs
- Freeze lick mats for at least 4 hours for maximum engagement time
- Place a silicone mat or damp towel underneath to prevent sliding
- Start with easy-to-lick foods before graduating to frozen or chunky recipes
- Clean mats immediately after use — dried food is harder to remove
- Rotate between 2-3 mats so you always have one frozen and ready to go
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lick mats good for dogs?
Absolutely! Lick mats provide mental enrichment, reduce anxiety through endorphin release, slow down fast eaters, and can even support dental health. They're recommended by veterinarians and behaviorists as one of the simplest, most effective enrichment tools available.
How long should dogs use lick mats?
Most dogs will use a lick mat for 10-20 minutes with unfrozen spreads and up to 45 minutes with frozen recipes. There's no time limit — let your dog lick until they lose interest or the food is gone. Lick mats are designed for extended use and the calming benefits increase with duration.
Can you freeze lick mats?
Yes! All four of our picks are freezer safe. Freezing is actually the best way to use them — it dramatically increases engagement time and makes the experience more challenging and rewarding. Prep several mats at once and store them in the freezer for grab-and-go enrichment.
🏆🏆 Ready to Try Lick Mats?
LickiMat Classic Soother — the original lick mat trusted by millions of dog owners.
Our Verdict
The LickiMat Classic Soother at $20.90 is our top pick — it's the original, the most trusted, and the one that consistently delivers the best calming experience. The cross-pattern texture holds food perfectly.
For a bowl-style option, the LickiMat Wobble Bowl ($9.99) holds more food and adds a fun wobbling element. The Aquapaw Slow Treater ($14.12) is unmatched for bath time with its suction cup mount. And at just $7.99, the Hyper Pet IQ Treat Mat is the easiest way to try lick mat enrichment on a budget.
