top of page
Forthglade 3 for 2 offer on natural treats
years-smart-bark-desktop-banner.gif

Best Lick Mats for Dogs UK : Tested & Reviewed

Smart Bark is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more


Lick mats are a simple, cheap yet innovative idea to keep your dog entertained for hours. These so called 'boredom busters' consist of a patterned mat designed to spread with your dog’s favourite treat or meal.

Vets and animal behaviourists recommend lick mats because repetitive licking is proven to release calming hormones, making them much more than a simple distraction.



Admittedly we were extremely sceptical that these little mats could hold our dog's attention for any length of time. We were so wrong!


We put a whole variety of lick mat styles through their paces. If you're in a rush, the photos in the gallery below are selectable or read on for our lowdown on each design.


We'll tell you best we can, which styles suit which food types, which kept our dogs interest the longest, if they're designed to calm anxious dogs and importantly how easy they were to clean. You can then decide which suits your dog most.


Lastly we'll look at what food to put on lick mats and offer some tried and tested toppings which are bound to get the paw prints of approval.


Here's your go-to guide for the best lick mats on the UK market. Hand picked by us and sure to get those tails wagging

TABLE OF CONTENTS





Buying Guide for Dog Lick Mats


Lick Mats are available in a collection of styles, surface textures and shapes to suit different dogs, their needs and their diet. Bear in mind the following points :-


Size

The standard mats measure approximately 20cm x 20cm (size of a plate). If you have a very large or greedy dog consider a deeper tray or look at the XL mats offered by some brands.


Design

The raised designs differ from mat to mat. Some work better with runny topping such as peanut butter or yoghurt. Other designs have deeper holes and ridges to hold chunkier food such as fruit pieces, kibble and raw dog food.


We'll indicate which designs suit which types of food.


Cleaning

We found that the deeper groove designs were trickier to clean. We definitely recommend cleaning immediately after use before any remnants of food dry on.


Ideally they should be dishwasher proof to take the hassle out of cleaning. We'll indicate whether each design is dishwasher proof or needs to be cleaned by hand.





Our Picks of the Best Dog Lick Mats


Lickimat Playdate in orange

1. LickiMat Playdate

From the original Australian lick mat company, LickiMat Playdate design has deep, even troughs to help grip and trap chunky treats such as raw dog food, fruit pieces or kibble.


Ideal for slowing down dogs on a raw or fresh diet, they have to work hard to release every last morsel. Once filled this mat can hold your dogs attention for a really long time so it's great for distraction purposes.


We found that this mat design holds runny foods such as yoghurt and peanut butter a little bit too well so it can be tricky to spread a small amount right across the whole surface of the mat.


Constructed from a softer rubber it was less stable than the SodaPup range and we found it tricker to slide into the freezer without spilling some of the toppings.


The original playdate design needs to be hand washed, although Lickimat now offer a Tuff version of most of their designs which is chew resistant and dishwasher safe.


We think that the Lickimat Playdate is a classic, great value and well designed starter lick mat.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 20cm x 20cm | Design: square troughs | Cleaning: Hand wash | Food Type : raw and chunkier foodS


REASONS TO BUY

 + Traps food well

 + Perfect for chunky pieces

 + Great value


REASONS TO AVOID

  - If you want a lick mat for soothing only

  - Hand wash only


BUYING OPTIONS



Lickmat Soother for anxious dogs

2. LickiMat Soother

The LickiMat Soother has been uniquely designed with a slightly raised bumpy design, a bit like tiny bristles all over the surface.


It's main aim is to simply encourage a repetitive licking motion to soothe your dog immediately in stressful situations. So if you're looking for a calming tool to help with separation anxiety, fireworks or thunder we thoroughly recommend the LickiMat Soother.


As a bonus, the licking action itself generates saliva that helps protect your dog's teeth and gums, and aids digestion.


Perfect for soft foods and even liquids, our testers topped it with yoghurt, banana and peanut butter. Due to the very shallow design it traps the food less than the other deeper grooved designs, so not ideal if you're looking to pair your lick mat with dry food unless you crush it as we have.


This little gem of a lick mat comes in an extra large version for big breeds and as the picture shows, a Tuff Soother which is chew resistant and heavy duty.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: Classic 20cm x20cm, XL 30 x 25cm | Design: shallow | Cleaning: Hand wash only | Food Type : Soft & Runny


REASONS TO BUY

 + Ideal for anxious dogs

 + Works well with soft treats

 + Great value


REASONS TO AVOID

  - Easy to complete

  - Not ideal for chunky foods


BUYING OPTIONS


If you have an anxious dog you may be interested in our test of the Silentnight Donut Calming Bed


LickiMat Yoggie Pot

3. Paws in Earnest 2-in-1 Lick Mat & Bowl

Discover the 2-in-1 Lick Mat & Bowl from UK-based Paws in Earnest. 


This innovative product combines a shallow bowl with a textured lick mat, offering endless feeding possibilities for your dog.


Fill the bowl with wet or raw food, or freeze it for a refreshing treat. The lick mat is perfect for spreading soft treats like peanut butter or cream cheese. 


We love that the bowl can handle runny foods and even hydrating drinks like Furr Boost, while the outer mat’s design is ideal for chunky spreads.


To elevate your lick mat game, check out Paws in Earnest’s range of cleaning brushes, spreading spatulas, and even treat cutters. Transform mealtime into a creative and enjoyable experience!


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 20 x 20 cm | Design: deep | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe | Food Type : All


REASONS TO BUY

 + Ideal for anxious dogs

 + Works well with runny treats

 + Dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe


REASONS TO AVOID

  - Pricier than basic Lickimats



BUYING OPTIONS


For 10% OFF Paws in Earnest

use discount code SMARTBARK at checkout

LickiMat Splash with suction cup for dogs

4. LickiMat Splash

The last Lick mat to feature from the LickiMat range is the Splash. Designed to be used as a distraction whilst shampooing, the Splash has a suction cup on the reverse to stick to baths, showers, tiles and most smooth surfaces.


You could of course spread your dogs favourite treat directly on your bath or tiles, but who needs the extra cleaning ! Available in four colours.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 10 x 9 cm | Design: deep | Cleaning: Hand wash only | Food Type : Soft


REASONS TO BUY

 + Ideal for anxious dogs

 + Works well with soft treats


REASONS TO AVOID

  - Pricier than basic mats

  - Not ideal for dry foods


BUYING OPTIONS

SodaPup Whale lick mat

5. SodaPup Whale Lick Mat


Like all the beautifully designed products in the SodaPup range, the Whale Lick Mat or eMat (which stands for enrichment mat) has been created to combine functionality with a fun and interesting design.


We think that the best thing about this e-mat is the pattern. Designed with a combination of larger compartments which are perfect for trapping chunkier foods, alongside some smaller nodules which encourage a repetitive licking motion to soothe your dog in stressful situations.


The smaller, deeper 'wave' compartments make this mat harder for your dog to lick clean than some of the other designs featured in our review. Ultimately this means that the Whale eMat will keep your dog busier for longer.


This mat is dishwasher safe (top rack) although we'd recommend a quick brush immediately after use so the food doesn't get stuck in hard to reach places.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 20cm diameter | Design: deep & shallow troughs | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe | Food Type : All


REASONS TO BUY

  + Combination of compartment sizes

  + Suitable for a range of foods

  + Dishwasher & freezer safe

  + Suction cups for vertical use


REASONS TO AVOID

   - If you want a lick mat for soothing only

   - Pricier than the LickiMats featured


BUYING OPTIONS

Dog enrichment mat from SodaPup

6. SodaPup Jigsaw Lick Mat

Not convinced by the whale design ? Well SodaPup have a huge range of uniquely designed e-mats to choose from like this Jigsaw pattern.


Ideally suited to peanut butter and other soft foods such as smashed banana, wet dog food, cream cheese or yoghurt, the intricate design will keep your dog busy for a really long time.


Be aware that we wouldn't recommend this lick mat for chunky or dried foods as the compartments are simply too small.


SodaPup also offer different patterns such as honeycomb, flowers even love hearts.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 20 x 20cm | Design: deep, small compartments | Cleaning: Dishwasher safe | Food Type : Soft


REASONS TO BUY

  + Lots of small compartments

  + Range of fun designs

  + Dishwasher & freezer safe


REASONS TO AVOID

   - If you want a lick mat for soothing only

   - Pricier than the LickiMats featured


BUYING OPTIONS


SodaPup Mandala eTray in purple

7. SodaPup Mandala Enrichment Tray

With it's much deeper compartments, the Mandala eTray combines the benefits of lick mats with the benefits of slow feeder bowls.


The design offers compartments in a range of depths and sizes to encourage your dog to forage for their food.


In testing, we found that the SodaPup e-trays were deep enough to feed kibble as well as a whole range of supplements, fruit, wet foods as you can separate them in different compartments for less mess.

Dog with Mandala eTray from Sodapup

It's worth noting that this design doesn't include the softer raised bumpy design which offers extra tongue stimulation like the LickiMat soother, however it does offer tiny pockets to encourage repetitive licking.


If you have a greedy guzzler, the Mandala eTray makes an excellent slow feeding bowl, so you could opt to feed your dog complete meals from this eTray.


We adore this popular combination of lick mat and slow feeder. Whilst SodaPup have a host of eTray designs, we found the Mandala easy to fill and easy to clean.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 20cm diameter | Design: varying trough depths | Cleaning: Dishwasher Safe | Food Type : All


REASONS TO BUY

 + Slow Feeder/ Lick Mat combination

 + Large individual chambers

 + Dishwasher proof

 + Freezer safe


REASONS TO AVOID

  - More expensive option

 - Doesn't have soothing bumps


BUYING OPTIONS

Buddy & Lola dual lick mat for dogs

8. Buddy & Lola Dual Licky Mat

We love the flexibility that this dog lick mat from Buddy & lola offers (better known for their natural range of health supplements). The dual design combines both food trapping compartments and soothing nodules. This means that it works well for anxious dogs and those that need distracting whilst working equally well for greedy guzzlers that need to slow down.

We think this combination is great for smaller dogs but as it's a 2-in-1 solution, it may not provide enough surface area for larger breeds.


Oh and there's the suction caps on the reverse, so you could stick it to your bath or shower door to help keep your pup distracted during bathing.


SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 21 x 21cm | Design: shallow | Cleaning: Hand wash only | Food Type : Soft & Runny


REASONS TO BUY

+ Ideal for small to medium dogs

+ Works well with soft treats

+ Great value


REASONS TO AVOID

- Easy to complete

- Not ideal for large breeds


BUYING OPTIONS






FAQs - Your Lick Mat Questions Answered


Are lick mats safe for dogs?

Yes, lick mats are generally very safe for dogs and are recommended by vets and animal behaviourists alike. The main thing to watch is the food you put on them, so always avoid xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in some peanut butters) as it's toxic to dogs.


If your dog is a chewer rather than a licker, opt for a heavy duty or 'Tuff' version to prevent them breaking off and swallowing pieces of the mat.


Are lick mats good for puppies?

Absolutely! Lick mats are a brilliant tool for puppies, particularly during those tricky early weeks at home. They make a great distraction during nail trims, vet visits or whenever you need five minutes of peace.


They can also help soothe teething puppies, simply pop the mat in the freezer for an hour before use and the cold will help ease sore gums. Just supervise your pup until you're confident they're licking rather than chewing.


Can you freeze a lick mat?

Yes, and we'd highly recommend it! Freezing a loaded lick mat is a total game changer. It turns a five minute distraction into a twenty minute one, making it ideal for warmer days, post-exercise cool downs or when you need your dog occupied for longer.


Simply spread your chosen toppings, cover with cling film and pop it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Peanut butter, banana, yoghurt and wet food all freeze brilliantly.


How long should a dog use a lick mat?

There's no hard and fast rule, but most dogs will naturally stop when the mat is empty! As a rough guide, a well-loaded mat should keep your dog busy for anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the design, the food used and how enthusiastic your dog is.


If your dog polishes it off in under five minutes, try a more intricate design like the SodaPup range, use thicker toppings, or freeze the mat beforehand.


What's the difference between a lick mat and a slow feeder bowl?

Great question! Both are designed to slow your dog down at mealtimes and provide mental stimulation, but they work in slightly different ways.


A lick mat is flat (or fairly shallow) and works best with soft, spreadable foods, it's particularly good for soothing anxious dogs thanks to the repetitive licking motion.


A slow feeder bowl has deeper channels and ridges, making it better suited to kibble and wet food as a complete meal replacement. Some products, like the SodaPup Mandala eTray, cleverly combine both functions, ideal if you can't decide!


How do I clean a lick mat?

The golden rule is to clean it straight after use, don't leave it to dry with food stuck in the grooves as it becomes much harder to shift. Many of the mats in our guide are dishwasher safe (always check before you buy if this matters to you).


For hand wash only mats, a stiff brush and warm soapy water does the trick. The LickiMat Tuff range and SodaPup mats are particularly easy to clean thanks to their durable, non-porous material.


What's the best food to put on a lick mat?

The most popular choice is peanut butter, just make sure it's xylitol-free and ideally low in added salt and sugar. Natural, dog-friendly peanut butter is widely available and most dogs go absolutely wild for it.


Beyond that, plain Greek yoghurt, mashed banana, wet dog food, cream cheese and pureed pumpkin all work brilliantly. For a super simple combo that never fails, try spreading peanut butter as your base and pressing a few blueberries or pieces of banana into the grooves. If you scroll up, we've shared some of our favourite tried and tested topping combinations too! 🐾





Here at Smart Bark, we take product reviews seriously! We partner with various pet brands to receive products, but we only review items that meet our high standards and that we believe will be valuable to our readers.

Our canine reviewer, Freddie, lent a paw (or rather, a tongue) in researching, testing, and modeling for this article!


Thanks for stopping by! We're hope you found our guide to - Best Lick Mats for Dogs UK : Tested & Reviewed helpful.



More Articles...

Why Trust Smart Bark ?

​

Claire is the founder of Smart Bark and a lifelong dog lover.

 

With a 10 year background in retail buying for one of the UK’s major retailers, she brings a keen eye for quality and value to every dog product review.

 

Claire personally tests every item featured on Smart Bark with her own family dog and her team of dog testers—so you get honest, expert advice (not recycled marketing blurb) from someone who truly understands what works in real life (and what doesn’t).

 

No gimmicks. Just trusted recommendations backed by experience.

 

bottom of page