Lick mats give dogs a focused, repetitive activity that suits quieter moments — here's how to use one safely.
Choose dog-safe foods
Spread a thin layer of dog-appropriate soft food. Avoid anything containing xylitol, chocolate, grapes, onion or excessive salt, and account for the calories in your dog's daily intake.
Supervise, especially at first
Watch the first few sessions. If your dog starts chewing the mat rather than licking it, remove it — lick mats are feeding tools, not chew toys.
Keep sessions short
Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty for most dogs. Freeze the loaded mat to extend the activity for confident lickers.
Clean after every use
Rinse with warm water and mild detergent, and dry thoroughly. Replace the mat if it becomes torn or damaged.
The Settle & Lick Activity Mat is our Level 1 starting point — see all licking and settling products and our Product Safety guide.