Ready to learn more about Lick Mats for your dog? Click now to read about the benefits, recipe ideas, and how to clean your mat! Click now!

We’ve been hearing a lot of questions lately about lick mats -- their benefits, what to put on them, how to clean them, things like that.

Today we’re going to give you the ultimate lick mat guide, answering all of those questions and more.

If you haven’t heard of a lick mat yet, it’s exactly what it sounds like! It’s a textured mat design to engage your pup by challenging them to lick every last bit of goodies off their mat.

Need a visual? Check out the Pure Focus Lick Mat.

Here’s everything we’re going to cover:

So let’s get those pup tongues ready to dive into all things lick mats.

Lick mats are a great mental exercise tool that pup parents can utilize in a number of ways.

Here’s why dogs, and their humans, love lick mats:

They reduce stress and anxiety -- if your dog gets overwhelmed during bathing, grooming, or other activities, the lick mat provides a welcomed (and delicious) distraction.

They keep your dog busy -- boredom is often the cause of destructive behaviors, so keeping your dog occupied with the lick mat can help redirect their energy.

They are engaging -- mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Your dog’s brain will be working hard to figure out how to lick that mat clean.

Lick Mats (and any brain work for that matter) are a powerful way to help reduce problem behaviors like unwanted chewing, barking, and more!

If you’ve noticed any other benefits of Lick Mats, we’d love to hear them in the comments section!

Lick Mat Recipes: Things to Put on a Lick Mat

One of the most common questions we’ve gotten is what to put on a lick mat.

Before we share our favorite things to put on a lick mat, we want to make a quick note about giving your dogs extra treats. Always be sure to keep daily caloric intake in mind -- if you are putting a lot of calories onto the lick mat, be sure to adjust other meals accordingly.

When in doubt, opt for lower-calorie treat options so your dog can still enjoy their full meals!

Here’s a calorie calculator for dogs, so you can better plan out their meals and treats!

Now onto the yummy stuff! Here are some of our favorite things to put on a lick mat:

You’ll want to spread something dense over the lick mat to help other ingredients stick and provide more of a challenge.

Peanut butter: Be sure to go with a natural variety without xylitol. Its sticky texture is a great way to bind other goodies to your lick mat too! Just be mindful of the added ingredients and caloric density.
Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is also great for mixing in other ingredients and freezing. Some dogs can be sensitive to dairy though, so start by giving a small amount and watching for digestive issues.
Canned pumpkin: This is a great low-calorie option, and perfect for pups that have been experiencing constipation or diarrhea. Be sure to limit pumpkin consumption though, as too much can also cause an upset tummy. The same applies to most squash varieties.
Cottage cheese: Avoid varieties with added fruit mix-ins.

Adding a sweet ingredient to the lick mat is an enjoyable surprise.

Fruit: There are many fruits that your dog can eat. While some fruit like apples or bananas won’t make too much of a mess, it’s best to freeze other fruits like strawberries or watermelon ahead of time so they don’t get too messy.
Applesauce: Natural, sugar-free applesauce with no xylitol is best.
Oatmeal: Pre-cooked, with no sugar!
Carrots: They’re one of the best foods your dog can eat, and they usually enjoy the refreshing crunch.
Honey: This will take a lot of work for your dog to get off the mat! Just be sure to not give them too much because of the high sugar content, and look for a variety with minimal processing.

Balance out all that sweet with something savory and nutrient-dense.

Vegetables: There are a ton of dog-friendly veggies. Pick one, chop into chunks, and watch your pup enjoy!
Mashed potatoes: Have leftovers from dinner last night? Stick ‘em on the mat! Keep in mind that sweet potatoes have more added health benefits than white potatoes, and to not give dogs mashed potatoes that are prepared with sugar or butter.
Ground meat: Chicken, salmon, and beef (with no seasonings!) are best.
Dog treats: Stick to a low-calorie variety, like training treats.
Eggs: Make sure they’re fully cooked and use sparingly.
Quinoa: Another great use of family leftovers, but again be mindful of what other ingredients it was prepared with.

For the ultimate lick mat recipe, select a choice from each category!

The variety of flavors and textures will engage your dog even more. Just be sure to only use a small amount of each ingredient to keep the calorie count appropriate for your dog.

Have any lick mat recipe combos that your dog goes nuts for? Tell us in the comments!

Worried your pup will wipe their mat clean too quickly? Pop the mat (with your desired toppings) into the freezer for a half-hour before giving it to your dog.

It will make the activity last longer, challenge them further, and add some extra refreshment for a hot day.

With all those recipes to try, you’re going to want to use the lick mat often. That’s probably why we’ve gotten so many questions about the best way to clean your lick mat quickly and effectively.

The easiest route is to soak your lick mat in warm water with dish soap until residue loosens, then gently scrub to make sure it’s clean.

While you’re at it, do the same with your dog’s food and water bowls to make sure they’re clean and sanitized too!

If you’d rather not hand wash your lick mat, don’t worry. They are usually just fine in the dishwasher on a low setting.

If so, we’d love to hear about your experience.

Either tell us all about it in the comments below or snap a pic or video of your pup in action with their lick mat and tag us on Instagram (@pupford).

Check out this 3-minute video for a video recap of how to prepare your dog's lick mat, how to give it to them, and how to clean their lick mat!

Lick Mats are a powerful way to give your dog some mental exercise and to keep them occupied.

Now you know all the benefits, how to clean it, and of course, what to put on it!

Lick Mat Guide: Recipes, Benefits & How to Clean [2020] | Pupford