Mealtimes over in ten seconds flat? A lick mat slows things right down. You spread soft food across its textured surface and your dog has to lick away to reach every last bit, turning a quick bowl of food into several minutes of calm, focused activity. It is one of the simplest enrichment tools you can buy, and it doubles as a handy distraction during bath time, grooming or nail trims.
Here we round up the best lick mats you can buy in the UK in 2026, from the category-defining LickiMat range to budget silicone options and rugged mats for keener chewers. We cover what each one suits, the key features to weigh up, and how to choose the right mat for your dog.
Quick Comparison: Best Lick Mats UK 2026
| Product | Best For | Price Range | Rating |
| LickiMat Classic Buddy | All-round best lick mat | £6-£10 | ★★★★★ |
| LickiMat Soother | Slowest, gentlest licking | £6-£9 | ★★★★★ |
| LickiMat Splash | Bath and grooming distraction | £8-£12 | ★★★★ |
| LickiMat Tuff (Soother Tuff) | Keener lickers and chewers | £9-£13 | ★★★★ |
| LickiMat UFO | Bigger or messier dogs | £10-£14 | ★★★★ |
Individual Product Reviews
LickiMat Classic Buddy
Best for: a versatile everyday lick mat that suits most dogs
The Buddy is the all-rounder of the LickiMat range and the mat most people should start with. Its surface mixes raised nubs and shallow channels, so soft food gets pushed into every gap and your dog has to work steadily to clear it. It is the right balance of challenge and reward for the average dog.
Made from food-grade rubber, it is flexible, easy to load with peanut butter, wet food or yoghurt, and quick to rinse or pop in the dishwasher. The medium texture works for fast eaters without frustrating gentler dogs.
What we like: a well-judged medium texture, dishwasher-safe rubber, and a sensible price.
Worth knowing: no suction base, so very determined dogs can nudge it around a smooth floor.
Specifications:
- Size: roughly 20 x 20 cm
- Suitable for: small to large dogs, supervised
- Material: food-grade rubber
- Care: dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Available on Amazon UK and at Pets at Home
LickiMat Soother
Best for: the slowest, calmest licking experience
The Soother has a finer, more uniform pattern of small pyramids than the Buddy, which holds food in countless tiny grooves and makes for the longest, gentlest lick of the standard range. It is the pick for dogs that need winding down rather than winding up.
It is ideal for nervous or restless dogs at settling times, and the soft texture is kind on tongues and gums. Spread a thin layer of something runny and it will keep most dogs occupied for a good while.
What we like: an extra-fine texture for long, soothing sessions and a gentle feel.
Worth knowing: the shallow grooves clean best with a brush after thicker foods.
Specifications:
- Size: roughly 20 x 20 cm
- Suitable for: all sizes, supervised
- Material: food-grade rubber
- Care: dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Available on Amazon UK and at Pets at Home
LickiMat Splash
Best for: sticking to the wall for bath time and grooming
The Splash adds strong suction cups to the back of a Soother-style mat, letting you press it onto the side of the bath, a tiled wall or a window. With your dog happily licking, washing, drying and nail trims become far less of a battle.
It is a genuinely useful problem-solver for dogs that dread grooming. The suction holds well on clean, smooth surfaces, though it needs a firm press and a wipe-down first to grip properly.
What we like: firm suction cups, a calming fine texture, and a real fix for bath-time wriggling.
Worth knowing: suction only works on smooth, clean surfaces, not tiles with deep grout lines.
Specifications:
- Size: roughly 20 x 20 cm
- Suitable for: all sizes, supervised
- Material: food-grade rubber with suction base
- Care: dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Available on Amazon UK
LickiMat Tuff (Soother Tuff)
Best for: keener lickers and light chewers
The Tuff range uses a thicker, more durable rubber than the standard mats while keeping the same lick patterns. The Soother Tuff pairs the gentle fine texture with a sturdier build, so it stands up better to dogs that get a bit nibbly with the edges.
It is not chew-proof, and no lick mat should be left with a dedicated chewer, but for most enthusiastic dogs the extra thickness buys real peace of mind and a longer life.
What we like: noticeably tougher rubber and the same proven lick textures.
Worth knowing: still not a chew toy, so supervision is essential with persistent chewers.
Specifications:
- Size: roughly 20 x 20 cm
- Suitable for: all sizes, supervised
- Material: heavy-duty food-grade rubber
- Care: dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Available on Amazon UK
LickiMat UFO
Best for: bigger or messier dogs that push mats around
The UFO sits on a raised, bowl-like base with a soft outer ring that helps contain mess and stops the mat sliding across the floor as easily as a flat one. The licking surface in the centre works just like a Buddy.
It suits larger dogs, food that tends to escape the edges, and homes where a flat mat ends up halfway across the kitchen. The deeper shape also makes it handy for slightly runnier toppings.
What we like: a non-slip raised base, tidier feeding, and a good fit for bigger dogs.
Worth knowing: bulkier to store and a little pricier than the flat mats.
Specifications:
- Size: roughly 23 cm diameter
- Suitable for: medium to large dogs, supervised
- Material: food-grade rubber
- Care: dishwasher safe (top rack)
- Available on Amazon UK
Generic Silicone Lick Mat with Suction (budget pick)
Best for: a low-cost mat or a cheap spare
Plenty of unbranded silicone lick mats sell for a few pounds on Amazon UK, usually a large square with a textured surface and suction cups on the back. They are a fine, low-risk way to try the idea before committing to a branded mat.
Quality varies, so check reviews for texture depth and suction strength. The silicone is generally softer and thinner than LickiMat rubber, but for occasional use or a second mat to rotate, the value is hard to argue with.
What we like: a very low price, often larger than branded mats, and usually includes suction cups.
Worth knowing: variable quality and a softer, shallower texture that empties faster.
Specifications:
- Size: typically 20 x 20 cm or larger
- Suitable for: all sizes, supervised
- Material: silicone with suction base
- Care: dishwasher safe (most)
- Available on Amazon UK
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Lick Mat
What to Look For
The texture is everything. A finer pattern of small grooves holds food longer and produces a slower, calmer lick, while a coarser pattern with bigger channels empties faster and suits a quick snack. Material matters too: dense food-grade rubber lasts longer and feels more substantial than thin silicone, though good silicone mats are perfectly serviceable. If your dog shoves the mat around, look for suction cups or a non-slip base.
Types of Lick Mat
There are three broad styles. Flat mats are the classic format, simple and easy to store. Suction mats add cups on the back so you can fix them to the bath, wall or floor, which is ideal for grooming. Raised or bowl-style mats sit in a base that contains mess and resists sliding, suiting bigger dogs and runnier foods.
Which Dogs Benefit Most
Lick mats suit almost any dog, but are especially handy in certain situations:
- Fast eaters: spreading food thin makes a meal last far longer
- Restless or under-stimulated dogs: licking is a focused, settling activity
- Grooming-averse dogs: a suction mat distracts during baths, drying and nail trims
- Crate-rested or recovering dogs: gentle occupation that tires the mind, not the body
Always supervise your dog with a lick mat, particularly enthusiastic chewers who might try to bite chunks from the edges rather than lick.
How Much Should You Spend?
- Budget (under £6): a basic silicone mat for occasional use
- Mid-range (£6-£12): a branded rubber mat for daily feeding and enrichment
- Premium (£12+): a tougher or raised-base mat built for bigger dogs and frequent washing
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you put on a lick mat?
Soft, spreadable foods work best: wet dog food, plain natural yoghurt, mashed banana, dog-safe peanut butter (xylitol-free), or pâté. Spread a thin layer so your dog has to lick rather than scoop. Freezing a loaded mat makes the session last much longer on a warm day.
Are lick mats good for fast eaters?
Yes. Smearing a meal thinly across the textured surface forces a dog to lick out each groove rather than gulp from a bowl, which naturally slows eating right down and stretches a meal over several minutes.
How do I clean a lick mat?
Most rubber and silicone mats are dishwasher safe on the top rack. For thicker foods, a quick scrub with a brush gets into the fine grooves. Let it dry fully before storing, as the grooves can hold moisture.
Are lick mats safe to leave with my dog?
Use a lick mat under supervision. They are designed for licking, not chewing, so a determined chewer could bite off and swallow pieces. Choose a tougher mat for keen dogs and take it away once the food is gone.
Final Verdict
For most dogs the LickiMat Classic Buddy is the best all-round choice: a well-judged texture, durable rubber and an easy price. If you want the calmest, slowest lick, step up to the Soother, and for taming bath time or grooming the suction-backed Splash is the one to reach for.
