Lick Mats 101: Calm, Clean, and Happy Pets

If you've been looking for a simple, affordable way to calm your pet, slow down their eating, and keep them happily occupied — lick mats might be the most underrated tool in your pet wellness toolkit. Increasingly popular among Canadian pet owners, lick mats are backed by animal behaviour science and loved by dogs and cats alike.

What Is a Lick Mat?

A lick mat is a textured silicone or rubber mat designed to hold spreadable foods — like peanut butter, yoghurt, pumpkin puree, or wet food — in grooves and ridges that encourage your pet to lick slowly and repeatedly. The repetitive licking motion triggers a calming response in the brain, making lick mats a powerful enrichment and anxiety-relief tool.

The Science Behind Licking

Licking releases endorphins in dogs and cats. It's a self-soothing behaviour rooted in early development — and when channelled through a lick mat, it becomes a structured, beneficial activity. Studies in animal behaviour suggest that slow feeding and licking can:

• Reduce anxiety — ideal before vet visits, grooming sessions, or thunderstorms
• Slow down fast eaters — reducing bloat risk and improving digestion
• Provide mental stimulation — keeping bored pets engaged
• Support dental hygiene — the licking action helps clean the tongue and stimulate saliva production

How to Use a Lick Mat

Spread your chosen food across the mat's surface, pressing it into the grooves. For a longer-lasting challenge, freeze the mat for 1–2 hours before giving it to your pet. Start simple and increase complexity as your pet gets used to it.

Great fillings include:

• Unsweetened peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Pumpkin puree
• Mashed banana
• Wet dog or cat food

Our Lick Mat Collection

At Šapice Pet Wellness, our Enrichment & Play collection features a range of lick mats designed for both dogs and cats. The Glazed Donut™ Lick Mat and Herby Pizza™ Lick Mat are fan favourites for their fun designs and deep grooves that extend licking time. For a more minimalist option, the Buttery Avocado™ Lick Mat and Crispy Grapes™ Lick Mat offer excellent texture variety.

Prefer silicone? Our 8" Silicone Lick Mats are available in Blue, Orange, and Khaki — dishwasher safe and built to last through Canada's busiest households.

For pets that need extra calming support, pair your lick mat routine with products from our Calming & Comfort collection.

Lick Mat Safety Tips

• Always supervise your pet, especially during the first use
• Avoid fillings with xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions, or chocolate
• Clean the mat thoroughly after each use
• Replace if the mat shows signs of damage or chewing

Whether you're managing a high-energy pup, a nervous rescue, or a senior cat, a lick mat is one of the easiest wellness upgrades you can make today.

Shop our full Enrichment & Play collection →