You smear some peanut butter on a textured mat and hand it to your dog. What happens next in their brain is anything but simple.
What looks like a cheap distraction tool is actually triggering one of the most powerful calming responses in canine neurology, and veterinarians who understand the science behind it have been quietly recommending lick mats for anxiety, destructive behavior, and stress for years. Most pet parents stumble onto them by accident and are stunned by the results. Dogs who bark relentlessly go quiet. Dogs who shake during baths stand still. Fast eaters who inhale food and pay for it later suddenly slow down without any training required. The mechanism behind all of it comes down to biology that your dog has zero control over, and once you understand it, you’ll never look at this humble little mat the same way again.
In this article, you’ll discover the exact science that makes lick mats so surprisingly effective, which behavioral and health problems they address better than most expensive alternatives, and how to use them correctly to get maximum results. You’ll also learn which textures and foods work best for different situations and why veterinarians and canine behaviorists consider them one of the most underrated tools in pet care today. Sometimes the simplest solutions turn out to be the most powerful ones.
Budget tip:
While the cost of a lick mat is often under $10, the rewards are infinitely more. It's a cheap product tht helps increase mental stimulation, reduce anxiety, and improve dental and oral health to name only a few of the benefits. A lick mat is a huge win-win for you and your dog!
What is a dog lick mat?
Simply put, a lick pad is a rubbery mat with different rough surfaces that you can smother with various dog-friendly foods.
Additionally, these mats usually come with suction cups on the back, which makes them great for walls, or to keep them in one place for your pup’s enjoyment. Moreover, the suction cups solve the “lickimat wobble” issue.
Go here to get the lick mats that Henry loves!
What are the dog lick mat Benefits for my pup?
There are several dog lick mat benefits. These include, but are necessarily limited to:
1. Aids in mental stimulation
As my vet told me a few months ago, metal stimulation is critical for a dog’s health. A lick mat is a simple way to increase brain stimulation.
2. Reduces anxiety
If your dog is having separation anxiety or some other anxiety-driven issue, try a lick mat. For example, Henry hates the wind. He will generally take refuge in his crate when it’s windy. But if I give him a lick mat, he settles down more easily and will actually nap in his crate even though it’s windy. That’s truly amazing!
3. Distraction from a stressful situation
For example, if your dog hates getting his nails trimmed or even a bath, then give your pup a licking mat. It can be a great distraction and allow you to care for your dog more easily.
4. Slows down eating
If your dog tends to be a quick eater, then a lick mat will reduce this problem. Licking takes much longer to get all the food from the crevices. Thus, eating is easily slowed.
5. Aids in digestion
Do you know that slowing down your dog’s eating and encouraging him/her to lick it creates more saliva? It does. In turn increases salvia production, helps break down the food, and consequently boosts digestion. Cool, huh?
6. Promotes better dental health and even overall oral health
Again, as noted above, licking increases salvia production. This increased saliva production in turn aids with teeth enamel health and, in general, oral tissue health.
7. Engaging and fun activity
If your dog is anything like Henry, then fun is definitely part of their MO. Henry loves anything he deems is fun. However, if he’s having fun in an engaging activity, then his brain is more active. Thus, a lick mat is a great way enrichment activity for your dog.
8. Crate training
As I mentioned earlier, Henry enjoys his lick mat when his anxiety is higher and he’s hunkered down in his crate. However, if you are just beginning crate training, it can give your dog reassurance that the crate is not a bad place and is even fun.
9. Reduces bad behavior
If your dog likes to bark at every noise, a lick mat might be the solution. At least for a bit. Adding a yummy and challenging treat is a great distraction.
10. Decreases boredom
Some dogs are more prone to being bored. These are typically more high-energy dogs. Thus, giving your pup a licking mat or even a more challenging frozen lick mat can reduce boredom.
Additionally, if your dog isn’t bored, then other behavior issues such as chewing, barking, and destroying things will be reduced.
Do you have a bored dog? In this article, I share great ideas for reducing boredom.
What should I put on my dog’s licking mat?
Honestly, you will know what your dog likes and doesn’t like. However, it should be a tasty treat for your pup. Additionally, it needs to be wet food or something that is spreadable.
For instance, I tried peanut butter for Henry, which wasn’t a huge hit. However, Henry loves pumpkin on his mat.
Here’s more ideas for your pup’s lick mat:
- Applesauce (no sugar or spices)
- Puree pumpkin or sweet potato (again no sugar or spices)
- Peanut butter (no xylitol)
- Greek yogurt
- Mashed bananas
- Scrambled or hard-boiled egg
- Spinach puree (either homemade or baby food with no spices added)
- Cottage cheese
- Carrot puree (you can make this at home by cooking carrots and pureeing smooth)
- Blueberry puree (again either homemade or baby food with no additives)
- Oatmeal (cooked plain oatmeal, not instant or with additives)
- Dog food – if you give your pup wet dog food, a lick mat can be a great way to serve it!
How do I get my dog’s lick mat to last longer?
As I hinted at above, this is an easy fix. Simply put the mat with the yummy treat already spread on it into the freezer for 30 minutes or longer. This will challenge your dog more and give your pup a fun activity in hotter months.
Admittedly, Henry’s lick mat lasts several minutes. However, a frozen lick mat can last 20 minutes or so.
Don’t forget you can get the lick mats that Henry loves by going here!
What are dog lick mat benefits regarding cost savings?
This is always the fun part. It helps to put everything into perspective. Now that we know the benefits of a lick mat, consider the following possible expenses:
| Dental cleaning | $250 – 900 |
| Destruction of furniture or other items from anxiety | $5 – 40,000 |
| Lack of good digestion | $2,500 – 5,000 |
| Able to perform DIY dog care at home | $23 – 300 |
| Behavior animal specialist | $1,500 – 3,000 |
| Healthier dog | Beyond $$$ |
Related articles:
- What Does My Dog’s Bark Mean?
- How To Wash A Dog And Not Kill Your Back
- How Can I Turn a Bored Dog Into a Happy Dog for Pennies?
- Affordable Creative Tricks to Entertain Your Dog
- Vet Extends A Dog’s Lifespan For Free!
- Mind Games for Dogs Every Dog Loves!
- Improve Gut Health in Dogs: Amazingly Easy!
- How A Dog Who Doesn’t Like Toys Plays!
- Is There a Cheap Easy Way to Train Your Dog?
- Chew, Pee, Love: Hidden Dog Expenses
- Do You Know The Easy Way Pumpkin Can Cut Dog Costs?
- Oatmeal for Dogs: Great Affordable Benefits!
Pawsitively Perfect: Dog Lick Mat Benefits
You may have thought a lick mat for your dog was just a toy. But truly, it provides health benefits for your pup. It can reduce anxiety, improve mental stimulation, help with stressful situations, slow eating, improve digestion, aid with dental health, help with training, reduce undesirable behaviors, and decrease boredom.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if Henry would like a lick mat. While I discovered he doesn’t like peanut butter on his lick mat, he loves pumpkin. Moreover, I learned it helps calm him when he’s stressed, and it engages his mind. Those are all wonderful benefits for a very small investment. I’m thrilled with Henry’s lick mat, and he is truly enjoying it as well.
