Lick mats are one of those simple things that quietly transformed daily life with my dogs. Smear a bit of something tasty across the grooves, hand it over, and the repetitive licking genuinely calms them down — it’s not just keeping them busy, there’s something soothing about the action itself. I now use one at bath time, during storms, and whenever I need ten minutes of peace to get something done.
They’re cheap, endlessly useful and there’s a huge choice out there, which makes picking one surprisingly tricky. So I’ve pulled together the five I rate most, covering everything from the original branded mat to a smart stainless-steel version and a couple of brilliant-value pairs.
My top pick is the LickiMat Tuff Soother. It’s the heavy-duty version of the original that started it all — a tougher build that stands up to enthusiastic dogs, with a texture that makes a smear of food last properly. It’s the one I trust most, and the one I’d buy again without hesitation.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: LickiMat Tuff Soother — the heavy-duty original, tough and long-lasting.
- Best value: OHMO 2-Pack — two solid mats for the price of a coffee.
- Best for bath & grooming: Coomazy Suction Mats — strong suction cups stick to the wall or tub.
- Best premium: Stainless Steel Lick Mat — hygienic, freezer-friendly and built to last.
- Best for long-lasting treats: LickiMat Yoggie Pot — a deep pot for a proper frozen enrichment session.
The 5 Best Lick Mats for Dogs
1. LickiMat Tuff Soother — Best Overall
LickiMat is the brand that popularised these mats, and the Tuff Soother is the version I’d steer most people towards. It’s the beefed-up “tuff” edition of their classic Soother, made from a thicker, more durable rubber that shrugs off dogs who like to chew the edges of everything. The fine, wavy texture is the clever bit — it holds a thin layer of food so your dog has to really work at it, stretching a small amount of yoghurt or paste into a proper session.
I use mine constantly. It’s dishwasher-safe, it freezes beautifully for a longer-lasting treat, and after years of daily use it’s still going strong. The soothing, repetitive licking is genuinely calming, which is why I reach for it during fireworks or when I need my dog to settle. It’s a firm favourite among UK owners and it’s earned that reputation.
My only small gripe is that it doesn’t have suction cups, so a determined dog can slide it across a smooth floor or flip it. On carpet or grass that’s a non-issue, and honestly it’s a minor niggle on an otherwise brilliant mat.
- Tough, heavy-duty version of the classic original
- Fine texture makes food last a long time
- Dishwasher-safe and freezes well
- Genuinely calming for anxious dogs
- No suction cups, so it can slide on smooth floors
2. OHMO Lick Mats 2-Pack — Best Value
If you just want to try a lick mat without spending much, or you’d like a couple on rotation, this OHMO two-pack is superb value — you get two mats for a few quid. I like having more than one anyway: one can be in the freezer loading up while the other’s in use, so there’s always a treat ready to go.
Don’t let the low price fool you into thinking they’re flimsy. They’re made from decent food-grade silicone with a varied textured surface, they’re flexible, freezer-safe and easy to rinse or pop in the dishwasher. Mine have held up well to daily use, and the two colours make it easy to keep track of whose is whose in a multi-pet house.
These are on the smaller side, which is perfect for small and medium dogs or for a quick distraction, but a big dog will get through one a little faster. For the money, though, they’re a brilliant entry point and my go-to value recommendation.
- Two mats for a bargain price
- Food-grade, flexible silicone
- Freezer-safe and dishwasher-friendly
- Handy to keep one loading while one’s in use
- Smaller size — big dogs finish them quicker
3. Coomazy Suction Lick Mats — Best for Bath & Grooming
The single best use I’ve found for a lick mat is bath and grooming time, and for that you need one that stays put — which is exactly what these Coomazy mats do. The strong suction cups on the back stick firmly to the side of the bath, the shower wall or a tiled floor, so your dog can lick away while you get on with the shampooing. It turned bath time from a wrestling match into something almost relaxed.
They come as a pair, so I keep one stuck in the bathroom and one for nail trims or vet-style handling practice. The suction really does grip on smooth surfaces, and the textured silicone holds food well. They’re also great for anxious dogs generally, giving them something positive to focus on during anything they’d normally find stressful.
The suction only works on genuinely smooth surfaces — it won’t stick to carpet or wood, which is just the nature of suction cups. But for baths, grooming and hard floors, these are exactly what you want and hugely popular for it.
- Strong suction cups grip baths and walls
- Turns bath and grooming time into a calm distraction
- Comes as a handy pair
- Great for anxious or wriggly dogs
- Suction only holds on smooth surfaces
4. Stainless Steel Lick Mat — Best Premium
If you’ve ever worried about your dog gnawing on silicone, or you just want something that will last a lifetime, a stainless-steel lick mat is a lovely upgrade. This one has a sectioned steel licking surface set into a non-slip base with suction cups, and it comes with a little scraper to spread food evenly. It’s a more grown-up bit of kit than the usual soft mats.
The big wins are hygiene and durability: stainless steel doesn’t harbour smells or stains the way silicone eventually can, it goes straight in the dishwasher, and it’s fantastic in the freezer for a long, cooling summer treat. There’s nothing for a chewer to tear off, either, which gives me real peace of mind. It feels like a buy-it-once product.
It’s naturally the priciest option here, and the steel surface is firmer than soft silicone, so a few dogs take a session or two to get used to it. But if you value hygiene and longevity, it’s a genuinely excellent choice.
- Hygienic stainless steel — no smells or stains
- Nothing for a chewer to tear off
- Dishwasher and freezer friendly
- Includes a spreading scraper
- Priciest here, and firmer than soft silicone
5. LickiMat Yoggie Pot — Best for Long-Lasting Treats
When I want to really occupy a dog — a long settle in the crate, a Zoom call I can’t be interrupted on — a flat mat sometimes isn’t enough, and that’s where the Yoggie Pot comes in. It’s a deep, pot-shaped LickiMat with textured internal walls, so it holds far more than a flat mat and takes a dog much longer to empty. Fill it, freeze it, and you’ve bought yourself a good chunk of peace.
It’s brilliant for frozen treats especially — a scoop of dog-safe yoghurt or some soaked kibble sets solid and turns into a proper project. The rubber is the same long-lasting quality you’d expect from LickiMat, and it wipes or washes clean easily. For serious, extended enrichment, this is the format I’d choose.
It’s the most expensive item on my list and, being a chunkier pot, it takes up more room in the freezer than a flat mat. But if long-lasting distraction is your goal, it earns its keep.
- Deep pot holds far more than a flat mat
- Ideal for long-lasting frozen treats
- Quality long-lasting LickiMat rubber
- Great for crate settling and extended enrichment
- Priciest option and bulkier to freeze
How to Choose a Lick Mat
Material and durability
Most lick mats are food-grade silicone, which is soft, flexible and cheap — perfect for gentle lickers. If your dog tends to chew, look at the tougher rubber “tuff” mats or a stainless-steel one, as a chewed-up soft mat is both a waste and a swallowing risk. Always supervise a keen chewer.
Suction cups or not
Suction cups keep a mat pinned to a smooth floor, wall or bath, which is brilliant for grooming and for dogs that push their mat around the kitchen. Just remember suction only works on smooth surfaces — on carpet or grass it makes no difference, so match this to where you’ll actually use it.
Size and depth
A small flat mat is fine for a quick distraction or a small dog. For bigger dogs or longer sessions, a larger mat or a deep pot holds more food and lasts longer. Think about how long you need to keep your dog occupied and size up accordingly.
Easy cleaning
You’ll use a lick mat almost daily, so dishwasher-safe is a real bonus. Whatever you choose, clean it regularly and dry it well — food gets trapped in the grooves and can turn if it’s left, so a good wash after each use keeps things safe and pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I put on a lick mat?
Dog-safe favourites include plain natural yoghurt, xylitol-free peanut butter, wet dog food, mashed banana, soaked kibble or a little cream cheese. Always double-check that any human food is safe for dogs — and never use peanut butter containing xylitol, which is toxic. Spread it thinly so it lasts.
How do lick mats calm dogs down?
The repetitive licking action is thought to release calming, feel-good chemicals in the brain and lower stress, a bit like a soothing habit. That’s why lick mats work so well during fireworks, thunderstorms, grooming or any situation your dog finds a little stressful.
Are lick mats safe to leave my dog with?
Flat silicone mats are generally fine for supervised use, but any dog that chews rather than licks should be watched, as bits of silicone shouldn’t be swallowed. For unsupervised time, a tougher rubber or stainless-steel mat is safer, but supervision is always the sensible default.
How often can I use a lick mat?
You can use one daily — many owners make it part of the routine at mealtimes or bedtime. Just count whatever you spread on it as part of your dog’s daily food so they’re not piling on extra calories, and stick to healthy, low-fat toppings for regular use.
How do I make a lick mat last longer?
Freezing is the trick. Smear the mat, pop it in the freezer for a few hours, and the frozen topping takes far longer to work through — turning a two-minute snack into a twenty-minute activity. It’s also lovely and cooling on a hot day.
Our Verdict
For most dogs and most situations, the LickiMat Tuff Soother is the one I’d buy — tough, calming and made by the brand that does this best. On a budget, the OHMO 2-pack is a steal, the Coomazy suction mats are perfect for bath time, and if you want a forever mat the stainless-steel option is superb.
Lick mats work brilliantly alongside other calming and enrichment tools. If anxiety is the main reason you’re looking, our guides to dog separation anxiety and the best dog calming treats are well worth a read. For slowing down a fast eater, see the best slow feeder dog bowls, and for more mealtime enrichment take a look at the best snuffle mats.
