Quick answer

A LickiMat is a textured rubber mat you smear with soft food so your dog licks it slowly instead of gulping. Start with a thin layer of something soft like plain yogurt or dog-safe peanut butter, press it into the grooves, and hand it over on a non-slip surface. Use the cross-maze Tuff Buddy for thick, sticky treats and the Dogit Go Slow dish when you want a full meal eaten at a calmer pace.

Match the mat texture to the food you're using

Texture decides whether a lick mat works or frustrates your dog. The LickiMat Tuff Buddy uses a cross-maze design, which is built for thick, sticky treats like doggy peanut butter, wet food, or soggy biscuits. If you only have thin liquids, they will run off a maze-style mat, so start with a thicker base and thin it gradually as your dog learns the routine.

How to load, freeze, and serve without overdoing it

Spread the food in a thin, even layer and press it into the grooves rather than piling it on top. A thin layer takes longer to lick and is less likely to be gulped in one pass. For a longer-lasting dog enrichment lick mat session, freeze the loaded mat for an hour or two; this is especially useful for dogs who finish a room-temperature mat in under a minute. Always count the food you put on the mat as part of your dog's daily calories, not as a free extra.

Cleaning and storage that keeps the mat usable

Rinse the mat under warm water immediately after use, before residue dries in the grooves. A soft brush or sponge gets into the maze without scratching the surface. If your dog is a heavy chewer, inspect the mat before each use and store it flat or loosely rolled rather than folded, which can crack the rubber over time.

Step-by-step: using a LickiMat slow feeder

  1. 1. Choose the right mat for the job: Use the LickiMat Tuff Buddy for thick, sticky foods like peanut butter, wet food, or soggy biscuits. For a full meal or water, use the Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Dish instead, which is made for wet or dry food and comes in three sizes. Checkpoint: if your food is thin and runny, it will slide off a maze mat, so thicken it or switch to a dish.
  2. 2. Prep the surface and the food: Put the mat on a non-slip surface or a towel so it does not skate across the floor. Choose a soft food your dog already tolerates, such as plain yogurt, wet food, or dog-safe peanut butter, and have a spatula or spoon ready. Checkpoint: introduce one new food at a time so you can tell what agrees with your dog.
  3. 3. Load a thin, even layer: Smear the food into the cross maze with the back of a spoon, pressing it into the grooves. Keep the layer thin rather than mounded on top, because a thick pile gets gulped while a thin layer has to be licked out. Checkpoint: if food is left in the grooves after five minutes, you used too much.
  4. 4. Freeze for a longer session: For dogs who finish a room-temperature mat too fast, freeze the loaded mat for one to two hours before serving. This stretches the activity and is useful when you need your dog occupied during a meeting or a meal. Checkpoint: freeze in a flat position so the food stays in the maze instead of pooling on one side.
  5. 5. Supervise the first few uses: Watch your dog for the first several sessions. Some dogs try to chew the mat once the food is gone, and a mat that is being chewed is no longer a licking activity. Checkpoint: if your dog starts chewing, remove the mat and offer a chew toy instead.
  6. 6. Clean and store it right: Rinse the mat under warm water right after use, then wash with a soft brush or sponge. Store it flat or loosely rolled, not folded, and inspect it for cracks before each use. Checkpoint: a mat with cracks or torn edges should be replaced, not reused.

Products that fit this routine

  • LickiMat Dog Lick Mats Slow Feeders Tuff Buddy 4 Colours: LickiMat Tuff Buddy is 20 x 20cm / 8" x 8" with a cross maze design, described as perfect for thick sticky treats like doggy peanut butter, wet food, or soggy biscuits. The maze holds thick spreads in place, so a small amount of food lasts longer and the mat stays useful for dogs who would otherwise lick a flat surface clean in seconds.
  • Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Dish Blue 3 Sizes: Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Dish is designed to encourage slower eating or drinking, can be used for wet or dry food, and comes in three sizes. If your goal is a full meal eaten more slowly rather than a treat session, this dish handles wet or dry food and gives you a size choice for different dogs.