The best dog lick mat ideas are soft, dog-safe foods spread thinly into the grooves: plain pumpkin, plain unsweetened yogurt, xylitol-free peanut butter, mashed banana, wet dog food or soaked kibble. Freeze the mat for a longer session, count the filling as part of daily calories, and always check labels for xylitol.
Below are 20 fillings grouped by goal, a guide to matching fillings to your mat's texture, freezing times, bath-time setup and a cleaning routine that keeps mats hygienic.
Are lick mats good for dogs?
For most dogs, yes, when used with supervision. The American Kennel Club's guide to lick mats says the grooves and ridges help scrape residue from teeth, that a mat can help soothe an anxious dog during fireworks or thunderstorms, and that it can offer a welcome distraction at bath time. AKC also stresses there is no such thing as a "leave-it-and-forget-it" dog toy: lick mats are best used while you are nearby.
Licking is repetitive and calming, so lick mats are ideal for quiet moments: your work calls, grooming sessions, nail trims and evenings when your dog can't settle. They are one tool in a broader routine; our dog enrichment guide shows how lick mats fit alongside sniffing, chewing and puzzle games.
Safety first: what never goes on a lick mat
Before any recipe, check these three things.
1. Xylitol
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that xylitol, a sugar substitute, is dangerous for dogs and is found in some peanut and nut butters, sugar-free desserts, baked goods and more. The FDA says low blood sugar can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of a dog eating xylitol. Read every label, including peanut butter, yogurt and applesauce. If you think your dog ate xylitol, call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control center right away.
2. Toxic ingredients hiding in "people food"
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control list of foods to avoid includes onions and garlic (which can damage red blood cells), grapes and raisins (linked to kidney damage), chocolate, macadamia nuts and excess salt. Watch for onion and garlic powder in broths, stocks and seasoned meats. ASPCA also notes that pets do not have much lactase, so dairy can cause diarrhea; keep yogurt to a thin layer.
3. Portion size
Lick mat fillings are calories. AKC advises that treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories.
Worked example: if your vet says your dog needs about 700 calories a day, the whole day's treat budget is about 70 calories. Check the calorie count per tablespoon on the label of whatever you spread, measure with a spoon instead of guessing, and remember that a lick mat is often only one of several treats that day. The easiest fix is to use part of your dog's regular wet food or soaked kibble so the mat is part of a meal, not an extra.
20 dog lick mat ideas
Use a thin layer (a tablespoon or two for most mats) and press it into the grooves with the back of a spoon. Introduce one new food at a time so you can spot anything that upsets your dog's stomach.
Pantry fillings (no prep)
- Plain canned pumpkin. 100% pumpkin, not pie filling, which has added sugar and spices.
- Plain unsweetened yogurt. AKC calls plain, unsweetened yogurt great in moderation. Skip flavored and "light" versions that may contain sweeteners.
- Xylitol-free peanut butter, thinned. Mix with a little warm water so a small amount covers more surface.
- Mashed ripe banana. Spreads easily and freezes well.
- Unsweetened applesauce. Check the label for added sugar and sweeteners.
Frozen fillings (summer cooling, longer sessions)
- Frozen low-sodium broth. AKC suggests pouring low-sodium chicken, beef or vegetable broth on the mat and freezing it. Choose one with no onion or garlic.
- Yogurt and blueberries. Spread yogurt, press blueberries into the grooves, freeze.
- Watermelon puree. Seedless, rind removed, blended and poured into deep wells.
- Pumpkin and banana swirl. Two textures in one; freezes firm.
- Wet food "ice layer." Your dog's wet food thinned with water, then frozen.
Meal-based fillings (slow down a fast eater)
- Your dog's regular wet food. The simplest option and calorie-neutral when taken from the day's meal.
- Soaked kibble mash. Soak kibble in warm water until soft, mash and spread.
- Plain cooked sweet potato. Mashed, unseasoned, cooled.
- Shredded plain chicken in wet food. Cooked, unseasoned, boneless, finely shredded.
- Plain cooked egg. Scrambled without butter, salt or oil, or a mashed hard-boiled egg.
Puppy-friendly and gentle fillings
- Your puppy's own wet food. No new ingredients for a sensitive young stomach.
- Puppy kibble porridge. Puppy food soaked into a soft paste.
- A thin film of plain pumpkin. Small amounts only.
- Mashed cooked carrot. Soft, mild and easy to spread.
- Plain cooked green beans, mashed. Unsalted, blended with a little water.
Match the filling to your mat's texture
A filling that works on one mat can be too easy or too frustrating on another. Thin spreads suit fine grooves; chunkier mixes need deep wells.
| Mat texture | Best fillings | Difficulty | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine grooves and ridges | Thin spreads: yogurt, pumpkin, thinned peanut butter, smooth wet food | Medium; licks pull food out slowly | Dog Lick Mat with Suction Cups (raised ridges and grooves) |
| Raised bumps | Medium-thick spreads, banana, soaked kibble mash | Easy to medium; good for beginners | Bump-patterned lick mats |
| Deep honeycomb wells | Broth, purees, berries, shredded chicken in wet food; anything you freeze | Medium to hard, especially frozen | Deep-well or honeycomb lick mats |
| Patterned silicone (freezer-safe) | Any spread; frozen layers | Easy fresh, harder frozen | Paw-Shaped Silicone Lick Mat |
| Lick bowl (for cats and very small pets) | Wet food, purees | Easy | Anti-Tip Cat Slow Feeder Lick Bowl |
Rule of thumb: if your dog finishes in under a minute, use a deeper or finer texture or freeze it. If your dog gives up, switch to a smoother filling or a bumpier surface. Compare textures across our lick mats and slow feeders.
Freezing lick mats: times and tips
Freezing turns a short snack into a longer activity and makes a cooling summer treat. Approximate freezer times:
| Filling | Approximate freeze time | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Thin spread (yogurt, pumpkin) | 1–2 hours | Firm surface, softens quickly |
| Filled wells (purees, wet food) | 3–4 hours | Solid; noticeably slower |
| Broth in deep wells | Overnight | Ice; longest-lasting |
- Freeze mats flat on a tray so the filling stays even.
- Check that your mat's material is freezer-safe. Our paw-shaped silicone mat is rated from -40°F (-40°C) to 464°F (240°C).
- Prep two or three mats at once and keep them in the freezer, ready for baths, storms or a busy morning.
- For dogs new to frozen mats, let the mat sit for a few minutes first so the surface softens.
Using a lick mat for baths, grooming and nail trims
A suction-cup mat on the tub wall keeps your dog's head forward and focused while you work. Step by step:
- Wipe a smooth tile or tub surface clean and dry so the suction cups grip.
- Spread a sticky filling such as pumpkin or yogurt; runny fillings wash away under the shower.
- Press the mat firmly at your dog's nose height.
- Let your dog start licking before you add water, then wash from the neck back, keeping spray away from the face.
- For nail trims, stick the mat to a cabinet or floor tile and trim one paw while your dog licks.
- Remove the mat as soon as you finish so it stays a special bath-time reward.
How to clean a lick mat (and when to replace it)
AKC recommends cleaning a lick mat after each use, even if it looks clean. Food left in grooves can grow bacteria and mold quickly, especially in warm kitchens.
- Rinse right away under warm water before food dries in the grooves.
- Soak for 5–10 minutes in hot, soapy water if anything has dried on.
- Scrub the grooves with a bottle brush or a dedicated old toothbrush.
- Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue remains.
- Air dry completely before storing, especially honeycomb wells and the backs of suction cups.
Dishwasher? AKC notes that some lick mats, particularly those made of food-grade silicone, are dishwasher-safe. Follow the care instructions for your specific mat. Ours are designed for rinsing by hand or wiping clean, which is the gentlest option for plastic mats and suction cups.
Replace the mat if you see: bite marks or torn edges, pieces missing, cracks, suction cups that no longer hold, or dark spots and smells that remain after scrubbing.
How often to use lick mats
Daily use is fine for most dogs if the filling comes out of their daily food or treat budget and you supervise. Many owners use one at a predictable time, such as during morning work calls, plus one for grooming. Rotate fillings and textures to keep it interesting, and pick the mat up when it's licked clean so it doesn't become a chew toy. If your dog is short on things to do on cold or wet days, our guide to how cold is too cold to walk a dog explains when indoor games should take over.
Our favorite dog lick mat ideas, summed up
Start simple with pumpkin or wet food, use a thin layer, and freeze for longer sessions. Match the filling to the texture, keep within your dog's treat budget, never use anything with xylitol, onion or garlic, and wash the mat after every use. With those rules, these dog lick mat ideas give you a calm, five-minute tool for baths, storms and busy days.
For a nose-work alternative to licking, see our guide to snuffle mats and how to use them.
If your dog inhales every meal, learn why some dogs eat so fast and how lick mats and slow feeders help.
Frequently asked questions
What can I put in a lick mat for my dog?
Good options include plain canned pumpkin, plain unsweetened yogurt in small amounts, xylitol-free peanut butter thinned with water, mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, your dog's wet food or soaked kibble, and low-sodium broth with no onion or garlic. Spread a thin layer, freeze for a longer session, and count it as part of your dog's daily calories.
Do vets recommend lick mats?
Many vets and trainers suggest lick mats as a calming, low-impact enrichment tool, especially for bath time, nail trims and noisy events like fireworks. They are not a medical treatment. Use them with supervision, choose dog-safe fillings, and ask your vet first if your dog is on a special diet, has food allergies or is recovering from surgery.
How often should you give a dog a lick mat?
Once or twice a day is fine for most dogs if the filling is taken from their regular food or stays within the treat budget of about 10% of daily calories. Supervise each session, pick the mat up when it is licked clean, and wash it after every use. Rotating fillings and textures keeps it interesting.
What age can a puppy use a lick mat?
Once a puppy is eating soft or solid food, a lick mat can be used with close supervision. Spread a thin layer of your puppy's own wet food or softened kibble rather than new ingredients, keep sessions short, and remove the mat when it is empty so a teething puppy doesn't chew it. Ask your vet about new foods.
Can I wash my dog's lick mat in the dishwasher?
Only if the manufacturer says it is dishwasher-safe. Some food-grade silicone mats are, while many plastic mats and suction cups last longer when washed by hand. Rinse right after use, soak in hot soapy water, scrub the grooves with a bottle brush, rinse well and let it air dry completely before storing.
Ready to try these ideas? Shop the Muttfield lick mats and slow feeders to find the right texture for your dog. Orders over $79 ship free, and every order ships with tracking.