Best Lick Mats

Lick mats are a fantastic way to slow down fast eaters, alleviate stress, and keep a pooch busy, and this particular design excels at all of those aspects. The secret is in the 4 uniquely textured quadrants that offer varying levels of engagement and difficulty: the Easy quadrant is great for quick training rewards, the Fun quadrant acts as a slow feeder and provides enrichment, the Anxiety Relief quadrant can provide stress relief, and the Distraction quadrant is meant to keep your dog occupied for a good little while. This lick mat is made from BPA-free silicone that’s completely dog safe, has suction cups on the back for a firm grip on any flat surface, and it’s also dishwasher safe for effortless cleanup. All you’d want from a lick mat for dogs and more!

If you’re worried about the lick mat’s ability to stay stuck to a flat surface, consider this design which features 77 suction cups on its back to ensure it will firmly stick to tiles, floors, meta – or any flat surface, really. Made with food-grade, BPA-free silicone, this lick mat has four separate textures to increase mental stimulation and make the experience more fun for your pooch, and can be frozen for cool treats in the summer. Perfect for engaging a bored dog, help redirect their attention and alleviate stress, and of course, slow down their eating – simply smear their favorite treat all over the mat and watch them work for the reward.

Whether it’s a generous serving of peanut butter, a dollop of refreshing yogurt, or some of your dog’s favorite wet food smeared over this mat will be the perfect way to serve delicious treats for your four-legged bestie. The determination and the focus needed to lick the yumminess out of the textured surface of the mat are bound to keep your pet engaged, so this type of activity is perfect for restless dogs, dogs with anxiety, or simply pooches that gobble up their treats too fast to really enjoy them. The lick mat is well-made and durable, BPA and PVC-free, and fully dishwasher-safe. It is also made locally in the United States and comes with a 90-day limited warranty for pet chewing.

The majority of lick mats are designed to be somewhat of a “universal size”, as in they are meant to be suitable for small and big dogs alike. However, that’s not always a realistic description, especially when you have an extra large breed dog – who could easily flip over or pick up a mat that’s too small for them. This is why this XL lick mat is such a great option for those big doggos – it’s so large that it can even be used as a group feeder. It is made from food-grade rubber and is microwave and freezer safe.

Sure, you can smear some yummies on a portion of a regular lick mat for your petite pooch to enjoy, but if you want a smaller one that is more appropriate for your pet’s size, this is the one to go for. Not too tiny to be messy but just big enough for your pet’s treats to be evenly distributed, this paw-shaped lick mat is a perfect choice if you need something to distract your pet – e.g. during a bath, while you clip their nails, or if you want them engaged and occupied with their food. Made from BPA-free silicone, this lick mat has strong suction cups that will keep it firmly in place.

Does your dog get squirmy when it’s time to take a bath? Nothing works better than bribing them with a treat – stick this lick mat to the bathroom wall or shower glass, smear some PB on it (or your pet’s favorite soft treat), and watch them be laser-focused on licking out the yummies while you’re free to bathe them without any interruptions. Clever and effective! This lick mat will stay firmly in place thanks to 3 large suction cups on the back, and the deep ridges are perfect for a variety of foods. It is BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and can be used in the freezer.

Sure, the idea of lick mats sounds great – unless you have a messy eater, and you already know that, somehow, that soft spreadable treat is bound to end up all over your kitchen floor or god knows where. Don’t worry, you can still treat your pet without having to deal with the mess, thanks to this clever design that combines a classic lick mat with a raised tray to keep their food contained and your floors clean. The mat is easy to remove from the tray (for humans), but will not slide or shift while your pet is using it – and it also happens to be made from food-safe and non-toxic TPE that is recyclable.

Whether you want to keep your pet occupied during travel because they are anxious in a new environment or simply want them engaged while you’re focused on driving, this portable lick bowl is the way to go. It can be placed on the car window to make those long road trips more bearable for your dog, and since the sides are raised unlike with a regular mat, you don’t have to worry about your pet making a mess in the car. The strong suction cup on the back will make it easy to stick this lick bowl on any hard flat surface and it can even be used as a water bowl on the go. It is made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone and is freezer and dishwasher-safe.

The eagerness of puppies is hard to beat – when they are offered peanut butter or any soft treat, they’ll try to snarf it up in seconds and end up with a messy face. That’s why lick mats for puppies are a great idea, as they’ll force them to slow down, keep them engaged, and contain the messiness (as much as possible with puppies). This particular set of two round lick mats is small enough to suit puppies of all size breeds, and features strong suction cups so it can be stuck to floors, walls, bathroom tiles, and even a fridge – any flat surface will do. Once your puppy is done with the licking, simply pull off the lick mat and put it in the dishwasher for effortless cleanup.

Benefits of Lick Mats

Are lick mats for dogs just another pet industry gimmick or can they really benefit your pet? Like many innovative pet gadgets, for some, lick mats can be a tremendous help and for others, they simply won’t do any wonders. The key is knowing your pet’s needs and personality so you could make the right decision! Here are the main benefits lick mats provide to dogs – if your pet struggles with any of the issues described below, a lick mat might be just what they need.

• Eases anxiety

Licking releases pleasure-causing endorphins in a dog’s brain, which makes them feel relaxed, at ease, and creates a feeling of comfort. If you have a dog that’s dealing with stress or anxiety, introducing a lick mat as a way to serve their treats can help alleviate their symptoms and induce a sense of calmness when they are agitated.

• Helps distract dogs from bath time, nail clipping, grooming, etc.

Nothing keeps a dog’s attention like some tasty food! If your pet dislikes being groomed, having their nails trimmed, or taking a bath, smearing some peanut butter or pate-like meaty food on a lick mat is a great way to redirect their focus from the task at hand and keep them relaxed throughout the process. They’ll be engaged with treat licking while you’re free to brush, bathe, and groom them!

• Improves digestion through slow feeding

Greedy eaters don’t just make a mess – they have issues with digestion due to fast eating. This is often very true for treats or special foods, as dogs get more eager about something that’s considered a delicacy and can try to snarf it down in seconds. By offering them those special treats on a lick mat, you are forcing them to slow down and savor the flavors – the food is “trapped” between ridges and grooves and they will have to lick for a good while before they get all of the food out.

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