After testing over 30+ lick mats, we have reviewed the 7 Best Dog Lick Pads to keep your fido anxiety-free and distracted for long hours.
Love your fido but got no ways to calm him down? Dogs can be adorable and great friends. At the same time, they can get very anxious and unstable. What helps calm them down is a dog lick pad.
Dog lick pads are flat mats, small or large, that are usually made of silicone or rubber that help soothe your fido or keep them distracted.
Read below to find out how lick mats help and how to buy the best dog lick pad for your hound.
A Glance of Our Favorites in 2023
- Best Overall: Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Lick Pad at Amazon
- Premium Choice: Aquapaw Slow Treater Lick Pad for Dogs at Amazon
- Best Affordable: Weliu Lick Pad for Dogs at Amazon
The 7 Best Dog Lick Pads Reviews of 2023
1. Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Lick Pad — Best Overall
This Lick Pad By Hyper Pet is the best way to keep your pet distracted. It calms your pet off boredom and anxiety while they also get to enjoy their favorite meals slowly.
The maze-like design on its surface keeps them engaged in deeper licking. It comes in a range of attractive colors which is sure to keep your pet busy for a long-long time.
The lickimat is non-slippery. Your fido can remain healthy without overeating. It is made of food-grade TPR Rubber, meaning it is perfectly safe for your pet. It is also microwave safe and freezer friendly.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best dog lick pads. This product recieved a 4.4 out of 5 star rating from 2,589 customers.
Features
- Material: Food grade TPR-Rubber
- Design: Flat lick pad with grooves and ridges and maze-like design
- Pack of 2 Lick Pads
- Orange and Green Color (variants available)
- Freezer and Microwave safe
- Helps in slow feeding
- Non-slip surface
The unique maze-like design is quite an amazing feature as it keeps your pup engaged in licking for hours. The range of attractive colors it offers is good.
It is microwave safe which allows you to serve fresh food to your pooch. It is non-slippery and can be conveniently kept on any surface.
Users complain of the bristles in the design being very weak. If licked harder, the bristles might break in your pet’s mouth and affect their health.
Overall, the features offered and two lick pads available at a steal-deal price definitely makes it worth the try and buy.
2. Weliu Lick Pad for Dogs — Best Affordable
This Lick Pad by Weliu looks cute with a paw-shaped design. There are multiple suction cups at the back to easily attach it to any surface, be it glass, bathroom tiles, etc. You can use it while giving your pet a shower, or during its groom time, or for slow feeding.
The lick pad is made of 100% Specialized Silicone which is safe for your pet. The lick mat comes in a very attractive color and design.
The material is quite durable. It can be easily adsorbed on any surface for you and your pet’s convenience. There are variable nubs with grooves and ridges to give your dog a good licking experience.
Features
- Material: 100% specialized Silicone
- Design: Paw shaped design with, nubs, grooves and ridges
- Eco-friendly pet-safe material
- 7 powerful suckers attached at the back
- Good thickness of 0.28 inch
The lick pad comes with a good 7 suckers at the back to attach it as per your convenience. Your fido can stay occupied and distracted for hours together.
The nubs, grooves, and ridges promote deeper, better licking which helps in soothing your pet. The specialized silicone material is safe for your dog.
The problem is that large-sized hounds may end up chewing the lick mat. Users complain of the overall quality not being great. But it is a great and cute product for small pets to keep them engaged.
3. Aquapaw Slow Treater Lick Pad for Dogs — Premium Choice
Aquapaw Slow Treater Dog Lick Pad is the perfect distraction device for your pet. While they keep licking on to their favorite treat, you can finish all their bathing and grooming activities. Your pet chooses to remain stable with this lick pad around.
The lick pad comes with suction cups to attach to the walls or any flat surface. The dog lick mat is made of 100% FDA-Grade Silicon. The lick pad has nubs over its surface with wings for easy placement and tabs for easy removal.
Features
- Material: 100% FDA-Grade Silicone
- Design: Large and Small Nubs on surface
- Suction Cups for Attachment
- Dishwasher and freezer safe
The lick mat for dogs offers ease of cleaning being dishwasher safe. You can offer frozen treats to your fur friend as the lick pad is freezer safe. The attachment is also very easy with suction cups at the back for attachment.
The tabs at the front help you to easily remove the lick pad from any flat surface. The nubs encourage slow eating and licking, keeping your pet occupied for a longer time.
Although the attachment with suction cups is easy, the suction is not strong enough to keep the lick mat in place. Secondly, the size of the lick pad is very small, so your pooch may not remain distracted for a very long time.
The lick mat is recommended for small-sized dogs or pups if you want to keep them distracted for a short span. Overall, the lick mat is safe and quite pet-friendly.
4. Perfect Curve Original Lick Pad
Perfect Curve Original Lick Pad claims to be a good distraction device for your pet. It sticks almost anywhere, be it any tiled wall or ceramic bathtub, near the sink, or on the window pane.
Keep your dog occupied anywhere, while you can easily finish all your pet grooming and feeding tasks.
The lick pad is made of FDA approved food-grade silicone and does not contain any toxic PBA, BPS, lead, or phthalates. The lick pad is also dishwasher safe.
Features
- Material: 100% FDA-Grade Silicone
- Design: Bone shaped lick mat with variable height nubs and center main licking area with an over lick area. Angled edge for zero ”lip”
- Directly attaches to any flat surface, glass, porcelain, granite, etc.
- Use peanut butter or any spreadable food
- Dishwasher Safe
The lick pad looks attractive and compact and can stick to almost any surface making it suitable to use anywhere, anytime.
It is made of good quality FDA-approved Silicone which is safe for your pet. The lick mat is easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe. There are multiple sizes and color variants also available.
Users claim that the lick pad is only good for one-time use. After which it does not stick to walls or tiles anymore. They also complain about the cleaning being a hassle.
The nubs on the surface encourage slow licking and it is good to keep your pet distracted but only for a limited time as the lickimat may eventually lose its stickiness and becomes slightly difficult to clean.
5. Helpcook Dog Lick Pad
Helpcook Dog Lick Pad helps your pet in several ways while keeping your fido happily distracted. The lick mat reduces anxiety in your pet during bath or groom time.
There are several suction cups on the back of the lick mat that holds it firmly onto any flat surface or glass or bathroom walls or tiles.
The licking surface has raised edges to prevent falling and spreading of food anywhere in your bathroom or floor. The design of the surface is unique and cute with bone-like patterns.
The lick mat is made of 100% FDA Grade Silicone, which is safe, non-toxic, and BPA-free. The area for licking is also appropriate for small to medium dogs.
Features
- Material: Food-safe, Non-toxic, High-quality, Silicone FDA approved, 100% BPA
- Design: Unique bone-shaped groove design with raised edges
- 37 powerful suction cups
- 5.9 inches diameter
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean with water
This lick pad is a good device to keep your pet distracted for hours. Just spread some peanut butter or their favorite food treat and stick it anywhere in the bathroom tub, tile, grooming counter or any glass or flat surface.
The unique bone design with raised edges is an eye-catcher. It prevents the spreading of food anywhere on the tiles or ground, making it a not so messy lickimat.
Moreover, the silicone material it is made of is safe for pets and the ease of cleaning it offers makes it easy to use for both pets and pet owners.
The lick mat may be small in size. The surface for licking is not too large. Overall, the product sticks firmly and works great as a slow feeder and for pet distraction.
6. Hyper Pet Lickimat Slomo Dog Lick Pad
Hyper Pet Lickimat Slomo Dog Lick Pad is the best distraction device that helps reduce boredom, anxiety and destructive behavior. This lickimat also serves as a great alternative to anxiety vests.
The lickimat gives you an option to serve wet as well as dry food in one lick pad. The mat is made of non-toxic silicone and keeps your dog engaged with their favorite food for hours.
The lick pad encourages slower eating which improves digestion. It has a non-slip design and is dishwasher and freezer friendly.
Features
- Material: Non-Toxic, FDA-Approved Silicone
- Design: Textured Design for serving wet and dry food
- Anti-slip lick mat
- Good for serving wet and dry food
- Freezer friendly and Dishwasher Safe
The good part about this lick mat is the 2 in 1 textured design allowing you to feed wet as well as dry food to your pooch at the same time. They can enjoy dry kibble as well as their favorite wet treat food.
The lick pad also promotes slow eating, meaning improved digestion and improved dental and oral health. Licking also improves your dog’s mental state and keeps them calm.
But then again, if your pet is a super-chewer, he will end up chewing and destroying the entire lick mat in minutes which again serves no purpose.
The dog lickimat by Hyper Pet sure is quite good with the textured design and the convenience of offering types of food, and the assurance of being safe for your pet.
7. BonFook Bath Buddy Dog Lick Pad
Your hound is sure to have an enjoyable bathing time with the BonFook Bath Buddy Dog Lick Pad.
Made of 100% food-grade silicone, the lick pad is safe for your pet and the environment. Just apply your dog’s favorite food spread on the mat and watch him remain distracted for hours.
The lick pad easily sticks to your bathtub or walls or tiles and also comes with an aircraft hole design. The hole design helps you hang it anywhere for storage.
The serrated design on the surface of the lick mat allows smooth licking with no mess or spillage of food. The lick pad is easy to wash under tap water and is dishwasher safe.
Features
- Material: Food Grade Silicone Material
- Design: Unique flower-shaped design with serrated surface
- Freezer safe and Dishwasher Safe
- Suction cups at the back
- Available in two color variants
BonFook Bath Buddy Dog Lick Pad has an attractive and cute design with a serrated design, which makes it a good and slow licking experience for your pet.
By applying their favorite treat on the lick pad, you can keep them busy for hours. It is easy to clean under running water and in the dishwasher. The material it is made of is safe for pet use.
Users complain of the suction cups not holding up well. The size being too small, the lick mat is not suitable for large dogs as they may easily chew up the lick pad. Overall, the lick pad serves the purpose but does not guarantee its durability.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Lick Pads?
Since few know about dog lick pads, it is certain we may not know about the features to look out for in a lick mat for pets. We help you understand the features that an ideal lick mat should have.
Size
The surface area for licking matters. It should not be so that your canine gets very little area to lick on the mat. That way the licking activity would finish within minutes without serving the purpose of keeping them engaged for a longer time.
Always go for a large-sized mat so your hound can spend more time with the mat. Bigger the size, the greater the licking area, and the greater the amount of time taken for licking.
Although, this works only in the case of small to medium-sized dogs. Large Dogs lick and suck better and hence a small lick mat would not make much of a difference to them.
Material
Dog Lick Pads are ideally made of food-grade silicone, which is safe for your pet to lick onto. This material is usually FDA-approved and provides a soft surface for licking.
Make sure that the material does not contain PBA, BPS, lead, or phthalates which can be toxic to your pet. Food Grade Silicone is usually easy to clean and is soft and gentle to your pet’s tongue.
Attachment
The dog lick mats should be non-slippery. If you keep it on a flat surface, the mat should remain sturdy and stuck in one place. Your pet may randomly want to keep licking the mat in any direction.
If they get rough with the mat, the mat should be sturdy enough to withstand your dog’s licking activities.
Some lick mats come with suction cups to attach to walls or bathtubs. That way, while you are giving your fido a bath, they will not have to come in contact with soap or water while having to lick the mat on the bathroom or bathtub floor.
Your pet can easily remain distracted in a standing position while you finish your activities with him. It should also be easily removable and the suction capacity should not wear away with time.
Design
Dog Lick Pads come in varied designs and patterns. These lick mats usually have nobs on their surface. These nobs may be of an irregular height to enhance deeper licking.
Certain lick pads have grooves and ridges so your pooch can explore for food over the mat for a longer time.
Dog lick mats are not only available for spreading wet food but also to serve dry food. Certain lick mats have spaces for serving wet food and dry food.
Your pooch gets to eat and lick onto more variety when he is bored with any particular food type. Textured patterns enhance deeper licking for a longer time.
Ease of Cleaning
Most lick pads are dishwasher safe or can simply be placed under running tap water. Grooves and ridges may suit your dog’s licking but can get difficult to clean at the crevices.
Wet food, especially, can get very messy and sticky. It is not easy to clean such sticky food.
If the material of the dog lick pad is dishwasher friendly, then there is no simpler way to clean a lick pad. Else food grade silicone material is soft and slippery on the top and can be easily cleaned under running water.
What are Dog Lick Pads?
Dog Lick Pads are flat pads or mats, usually made of rubber for your pet to lick over them. Dog Lick Pads enhance continuous licking activity which is known to soothe and relax them.
Just Spread their favorite food spread on the lick pad and keep them occupied for hours.
The best part about these lick pads is the time it takes for your pooch to remove all the food from the mat.
If you place your dog’s favorite food on the mat, your canine can remain occupied for a good 25-30 mins or maybe hours with the mat while you finish all your chores.
Why Should You Get Dog Lick Pads?
Dog Lick Pads serve the purpose of keeping your fido stable and occupied in one place. There are certain tasks that are very difficult to manage with your pet single-handedly. Here are certain reasons why you should get a lick pad for your pooch.
Grooming
While you are trying to groom your dog or giving him a bath, your pet may keep running around the bathtub or behave anxiously.
If you attach a dog lick pad near their bathing area or bathtub, your pet remains busy licking the food off his mat while you finish all of his bathing and grooming activities.
Some lick mats even come with suction cups so you can easily attach them to the walls of the bathroom or bathtub. The lick mat remains devoid of water, and your fido doesn’t have to lick onto the soap.
Distraction
There are certain times when you need your private space, away from your pooch. Not that you do not love your pet, but pets can be a distraction if you plan on doing something important.
That is when these lick mats for dogs can keep them busy licking for an hour or two. Meanwhile, you can finish all your important work and get back to spending time with your pet.
Relieve Anxiety
At times, dogs can have anxiety bouts. If it rains heavily or if there is a thunderstorm, they might get scared and anxious and seclude themselves in some corner of the house.
For your pet to not feel the same, you can distract by them using licky mats. Licking relieves them from anxiety, soothes their mind and enhances their mood.
Boredom
While you may have chew toys and play toys for your dog, there are high chances your pooch may get bored with them. Lick mats help them cure boredom and are very easy to get through.
Your dog can remain occupied by cleaning every nook and corner of the lick mat. These lick mats usually provide variable height nubs or grooves and ridges to your dogs while licking which generally consumes more time than licking flat surfaces.
Slow-Eating
For dogs who are speed-eaters and gulp down their meals too fast, lick mats promote slow eating. Although, lick mats can be used only for wet food.
If wet food is spread across the irregular mat surface well, your pooch can lick from it to glory taking all his time. In comparison, dogs would’ve easily gulped down on dry food kibbles which would’ve taken less time.
FAQs
Lick Pads help cure anxiety in dogs and are a great device to keep them occupied. But since lick pads are not very commonly used by many, there are certain questions to arise about these lick mats and how to use them. We help you solve a few with our list of FAQs.
The best dog lick pad which is worth the price and offers all features is the Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Lick Pad. It is made of good quality rubber, is non-slippery and encourages slow-feeding.
There are two lick pads available in just around $13-$14 which is totally worth the price. Other brands like BonFook Bath Buddy Dog Lick Pad, Aquapaw Slow Treater Lick Pad for Dogs are worth considering for small-sized dogs.
A dog lick pad can cost anywhere between $7-$17 depending on the quality, size and material used in making the lick pad. Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Lick Pad, which is one of the best known in the market costs around $13-$14.
Dog Lick Pads are not very heavy on the pocket. If you are looking for a budget choice and trying a lick mat for the first time, choose the Weliu Lick Pad for Dog which costs around $7-$8.
Spreadable food items are best for a dog lick pad. Foods like Canned Dog Food or Gravy, Yoghurt, Chicken Broth, Peanut Butter, Squashed Banana, Pumpkin, etc. can be applied on lick mats.
These are easy to spread and are preferred by many dogs as tasty treats, keeping them occupied for a long time.
This depends on the food item spread on the lick pad. The most easily available and commonly used food spread is peanut butter. On spreading peanut butter, dogs are known to spend a typical 20-25 mins with the lick pad.
Tastier the treat, the longer the time they spend licking it. If the licking mat has more grooves and ridges, dogs will engage in deeper licking to clean the mat off the food.
Dog lick mats are suitable for large dogs. Larger the dog, the lesser the time they take to lick food from the mat. Hence, make sure to get a large-sized mat for larger pets.
Small lick mats will not keep them occupied for a long time as they will lick off all the food in a jiffy.
Conclusion
Dog Lick Pads keep your pooch happily distracted. It also encourages slow feeding, especially for pets who are speed-eaters. This helps prevent choking and vomiting in dogs and promotes healthy digestion.
Use it while your dog bathes, during its groom time, or while prepping his meal. Licking is also known to soothe your dog’s mind and improve their oral health.
With so little known about dog lick pads but so many benefits it has, getting the best lick pad should definitely be on every dog owner’s shopping list.
Keep your pooch licking happily ever after with the best dog lick pads that we have reviewed for you.
References:
- Manucy, T. D. (2020, November 11). Why Do Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws? PetMD. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/10-common-paw-problems-dogs#slide-1
Karen Valenzuela is a dog behaviorist & trainer from Brooklyn, New York, and a freelancer for DogLovesBest. Karen is so much into dogs that she decided to become a dog behaviorist since she was in Middle School, and she did it too! She pursued her career as a dog behaviorist and now she’s certified through ACAAB. She has trained more than 10,000 dogs to correct their behavior and helped them develop a strong bond with their owners. In her free time, she loves to explore new ways of making the pet canine’s life more interesting and also has the ability to give those ideas the form of insightful posts.