Lick mats are one of the cheapest, simplest pieces of dog enrichment kit you can buy, and most UK owners discover them too late. The principle is straightforward: a textured silicone mat with grooves and bumps that you spread food onto, the dog licks it off, and the licking action calms them down.
They are particularly useful for bath time, nail trims, vet visits, fireworks anxiety and crate settling. They also slow down fast eaters and provide low-effort daily enrichment that does not require teaching the dog anything new.
This guide picks the best UK options, explains what to put on them, and covers the legitimate questions about whether lick mats are actually as calming as the marketing suggests.
Quick answer:
Best overall: LickiMat Buddy — the original, durable, dishwasher-safe and the right texture for most dogs.
Best for bath time: LickiMat Splash with suction cups — sticks to the wall of the bath or shower.
Best for slow feeding: LickiMat Soother — finer ridges that hold wet food longer.
Best budget: Pecute Silicone Lick Mat — cheaper but functionally similar to LickiMat originals.
Our top pick
LickiMat LickiMat Buddy · ~£7–12
Best overall lick mat for daily use and most dogs.
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What actually matters here
Material — food-grade silicone, dishwasher-safe, no chemical smell.
Texture variety — different ridge patterns suit different toppings and dogs.
Suction or grip — mat needs to stay put when the dog licks aggressively.
Size — large enough to last 5–10 minutes, small enough to be practical.
Durability — silicone needs to resist chewing by the more determined dogs.
Who this is for
Dogs that get anxious during bath time, nail trims or vet visits.
Fast eaters who need slow feeding without a maze bowl.
Owners looking for cheap daily enrichment.
Crate-trained dogs who benefit from a settling activity.
Dogs with separation anxiety — a frozen lick mat extends comfort time when you leave.
Who should skip
Owners with very aggressive chewers — silicone mats can be torn and swallowed.
Dogs on strict calorie-restricted diets where lick-mat toppings would tip them over.
Anyone expecting a lick mat to fix serious anxiety — it is one tool, not a cure.
Do lick mats actually calm dogs?
There is genuine evidence that licking is a self-soothing behaviour for dogs. Repetitive licking releases endorphins and lowers heart rate, similar to how a baby calms while sucking a dummy. For mildly anxious dogs, lick mats are a simple, low-cost intervention that genuinely helps.
They are not a cure for serious anxiety. A dog with severe separation anxiety, fear-based reactivity or a noise phobia needs behavioural support — a lick mat is an aid, not a treatment. But for mild stressors like bath time, nail trims and short separations, they work for most dogs.
The first time you use one, your dog may not know what to do. Spread something high-value (peanut butter, wet food, plain Greek yoghurt) and let them work it out. Most dogs catch on within a session or two.
What to put on a lick mat
Safe everyday options: plain natural Greek yoghurt, wet dog food, mashed banana, peanut butter (xylitol-free, check the label), cottage cheese, sweet potato puree, or a thin smear of cream cheese.
For longer engagement, freeze the loaded lick mat for 30–60 minutes before giving it to the dog. A frozen lick mat can extend a 5-minute activity into 20–30 minutes of slow licking.
Avoid: chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (in some peanut butters), and anything high in salt or sugar. Stick to plain whole foods.
Bath-time and nail-trim use
Lick mats are most useful for situations dogs typically resist. For baths, the LickiMat Splash with suction cups sticks to the bath wall and gives the dog something to focus on while you wash. For nail trims, a frozen lick mat on the floor lets you clip while the dog is occupied.
For vet visits, smear a lick mat with high-value food and bring it to distract during examinations or vaccinations. Many UK vets now use lick mats themselves for low-stress handling.
Quick questions before you buy
Do vets recommend dog lick mats?
Yes, UK vets increasingly recommend lick mats for mild anxiety, slow feeding, low-stress handling at the vet, and as enrichment. They are not a treatment for serious anxiety, but for everyday calming and distraction they are a simple, effective tool that most dogs respond to well.
What is the best lick mat for dogs?
For most UK dogs, the LickiMat Buddy is the best all-round option — durable, dishwasher-safe, and the right texture for most toppings. For bath time, the LickiMat Splash with suction cups. For slow feeding wet food, the LickiMat Soother.
Silicone quality is not quite at LickiMat’s level. Suction cups vary slightly in strength between batches.
~£8–12
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Recommended picks
Top pick
Best for: Best overall lick mat for daily use and most dogs
LickiMat LickiMat Buddy
Approx. price: ~£7–12 (prices may vary — check Amazon for current price)
Why it made the list: The original LickiMat and still the best all-round option. Food-grade silicone with raised pyramid texture that holds soft food and works for most dog sizes. Dishwasher-safe, durable, and comes from the brand that effectively created the category. Multiple sizes available.
Main drawback: Not suction-mounted, so very aggressive lickers can push it around. Standard pyramid texture is good but not specialised for any one use.
LickiMat LickiMat Splash with Suction Cups — best lick mat for bath time and shower use
LickiMat LickiMat Soother — best lick mat for slow feeding and longer engagement
Best for: Best lick mat for bath time and shower use
LickiMat LickiMat Splash with Suction Cups
Approx. price: ~£12–18 (prices may vary — check Amazon for current price)
Why it made the list: A LickiMat with strong suction cups designed to stick to the inside of a bath, shower wall or smooth floor. Solves the problem of the mat sliding around during bath time. Same food-grade silicone, same dishwasher-safe construction, just with stay-put suction.
Main drawback: Suction works on smooth surfaces only — useless on tiled walls with grout lines or textured surfaces.
LickiMat LickiMat Soother — best lick mat for slow feeding and longer engagement
Pecute Pecute Silicone Lick Mat (2-pack) — best budget lick mat for first-time buyers
Best for: Best lick mat for slow feeding and longer engagement
LickiMat LickiMat Soother
Approx. price: ~£7–12 (prices may vary — check Amazon for current price)
Why it made the list: A LickiMat with finer, denser ridges than the Buddy, designed to hold wet food and runny toppings for longer licking sessions. Best choice for slow feeding wet meals or for dogs who finish a Buddy too quickly. Same food-grade silicone, dishwasher-safe.
Main drawback: The finer texture is harder to clean — dishwasher works but a brush may be needed for stubborn residue.
Pecute Pecute Silicone Lick Mat (2-pack) — best budget lick mat for first-time buyers
LickiMat LickiMat Buddy — best overall lick mat for daily use and most dogs
Best for: Best budget lick mat for first-time buyers
Pecute Pecute Silicone Lick Mat (2-pack)
Approx. price: ~£8–12 (prices may vary — check Amazon for current price)
Why it made the list: Two food-grade silicone lick mats with suction cups at a budget price. Functionally similar to the LickiMat Splash but cheaper. Good for owners who want to try lick mats without committing to the LickiMat brand. Dishwasher-safe.
Main drawback: Silicone quality is not quite at LickiMat’s level. Suction cups vary slightly in strength between batches.
Yes, UK vets increasingly recommend lick mats for mild anxiety, slow feeding, low-stress handling at the vet, and as enrichment. They are not a treatment for serious anxiety, but for everyday calming and distraction they are a simple, effective tool that most dogs respond to well.
What is the best lick mat for dogs?
For most UK dogs, the LickiMat Buddy is the best all-round option — durable, dishwasher-safe, and the right texture for most toppings. For bath time, the LickiMat Splash with suction cups. For slow feeding wet food, the LickiMat Soother.
Do lick mats actually help dogs?
Yes for mild stressors like bath time, nail trims and short separations. Repetitive licking releases endorphins and is genuinely calming. They are not a treatment for severe anxiety — a dog with serious separation anxiety needs behavioural support, not just a lick mat.
What is the best thing to put on a lick mat for dogs?
Safe options include plain natural Greek yoghurt, wet dog food, mashed banana, xylitol-free peanut butter, cottage cheese, sweet potato puree, or a thin smear of cream cheese. For longer engagement, freeze the loaded mat for 30–60 minutes before giving.
How often should you give dogs a lick mat?
Daily is fine for most dogs as long as the topping is calorie-controlled. Use them for specific stress events (bath, vet, fireworks) or as everyday enrichment. Wash the mat after each use — dishwasher-safe options make this easier.
