Lick Mat Safety & What to Put on a Lick Mat: The Complete Owner's Guide
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Lick Mat Safety & What to Put on a Lick Mat: The Complete Owner's Guide
Covering material safety, supervision, freezing, cleaning, and 20 topping ideas grouped by goal — with recommended eMat models for every use case.
Lick mats have become one of the most widely recommended enrichment tools in veterinary behavioral medicine — used in Fear Free protocols, cooperative care training, and daily anxiety management routines. But "lick mat" has also become a broad category that includes everything from food-grade USA-made rubber to cheap imported silicone of unknown composition.
This guide covers everything you need to use a lick mat safely and effectively: what to look for in a mat, how to use it, what to put on it (organized by your dog's specific needs), and which SodaPup eMat models to choose for different situations.
Lick Mat Safety: Materials, Supervision, and When to Stop
Material Safety — The Most Important Factor
The lick mat your dog uses contacts food and their mouth every day. Material quality matters more than design, price, or brand recognition. The standard to require:
- Food-grade rubber: The same material standard used for human food preparation surfaces. Dense, non-porous, resistant to bacterial growth, and stable under repeated dishwasher cycles. FDA-compliant food-grade rubber is free from BPA, PVC, and phthalates by definition.
- What to avoid: Mats described only as "silicone" or "TPE" without food-grade certification. Many inexpensive lick mats are made from thermoplastic elastomers that have not been tested to food-contact standards. These may leach plasticizers over time, especially as the surface degrades from repeated washing and use.
- USA-made matters here: Domestic manufacturing means FDA oversight, traceable supply chains, and enforceable material standards. For a product your dog uses daily with food, this is worth verifying.
All SodaPup eMats are made in the USA from FDA-compliant, food-grade rubber — BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free. They are manufactured in Boulder, Colorado.
Supervision Guidelines
Most dogs interact with lick mats exactly as intended: calm, focused licking until the food is gone. A small number of dogs — particularly puppies, high-drive food-motivated dogs, and resource-guarders — may attempt to chew, flip, or carry the mat. Supervise the first 3–5 sessions with any new dog to confirm how they interact with it.
- Your dog chews, bites, or attempts to tear the mat rather than lick it
- The mat shows any cracking, gouging, or surface separation — replace immediately
- The mat is too small for your dog and can be easily picked up and mouthed from the edges
- Your dog guards the mat aggressively
The Freezing Technique
Freezing a loaded lick mat is the single most effective way to extend enrichment sessions. Here's the method:
- Spread your chosen food firmly into the grooves — press it in so it fills the texture
- Place the mat flat on a small plate or tray (suction-cup side down)
- Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight
- Serve directly from the freezer — do not thaw first
What freezing does: A room-temperature mat is typically cleared in 5–10 minutes. A frozen mat extends this to 20–30+ minutes, which is long enough to cover departure windows (separation anxiety), full grooming sessions, or veterinary examinations. Prepare 3–5 mats at once on a Sunday and keep a supply ready in the freezer.
Best foods for freezing: Anything soft and spreadable freezes well — Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, wet dog food, mashed sweet potato, and peanut butter all perform excellently. Liquids like broth freeze into the grooves nicely if you want a more subtle option.
Cleaning
Clean after every single use. Lick mat grooves trap food residue, and dairy, meat, and egg-based foods can harbor bacteria within hours at room temperature.
- Dishwasher: SodaPup eMats are dishwasher-safe. Top rack, any temperature cycle.
- Hand-wash: Soak for 2–3 minutes in warm soapy water, then scrub grooves with a soft bottle brush or old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and air-dry.
- Never use: Bleach, abrasive scrubbers, or harsh chemical cleaners. These degrade food-grade rubber over time.
- Inspect during cleaning: Check for cracks, deep gouges, or surface separation every time you wash. Replace the mat at the first sign of damage.
What to Put on a Lick Mat: 20 Ideas Grouped by Goal
The right topping depends on what you're trying to achieve — calming your dog down, keeping calories low, managing a sensitive stomach, or motivating a dog who doesn't naturally love the mat. Here are 20 options organized by goal.
🧘 Calming & Anxiety Relief
Best for: pre-departure, thunderstorms, separation anxiety, post-exercise wind-down
| Food | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Greek yogurt | Thick texture extends licking; probiotic benefit | Unsweetened, no xylitol — freeze for best results |
| 100% pumpkin puree | Low calorie, high fiber, very easy to spread | Plain canned pumpkin only — not pie filling |
| Low-sodium chicken broth (frozen) | Very low calorie; subtle flavor keeps dog engaged | No onion or garlic in broth; freeze in grooves |
| Mashed banana | Naturally sweet, spreadable, well-tolerated | High natural sugar — use in moderation |
| Plain wet dog food | Familiar smell; high motivation without new ingredients | Count toward daily calorie total |
🥗 Low-Calorie Options
Best for: weight-management dogs, frequent daily use, dogs on restricted diets
| Food | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seedless watermelon puree | ~30 cal/cup; very high hydration; most dogs love it | Remove all seeds and rind; blend smooth |
| Mashed cucumber | Nearly zero calories; high water content | Blend with a little water if too chunky |
| Pumpkin + water mix | Stretches pumpkin further; even lower calorie | 50/50 ratio; freeze flat |
| Blueberry puree | Low cal, antioxidants, dogs enjoy the sweet-tart flavor | Mash or blend; freeze well |
🩺 Sensitive Stomach
Best for: dogs with food allergies, GI issues, post-illness recovery, dogs on hydrolyzed or limited-ingredient diets
| Food | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boiled chicken + broth | Bland diet staple; easy to digest, high motivation | Plain boneless, no seasoning; mash with low-sodium broth |
| Mashed sweet potato | Gentle on GI tract; high fiber supports digestion | Cook and cool fully; no butter, salt, or spices |
| Pumpkin puree | Veterinarian-recommended for GI support | One of the safest options for any stomach issue |
| Prescription/hydrolyzed wet food | Safe for allergen-restricted dogs; known ingredient list | Use the same food as your dog's regular diet |
🐾 High-Value / Grooming & Vet Visits
Best for: nail trims, baths, ear cleaning, veterinary procedures — moments that need maximum motivation
| Food | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xylitol-free peanut butter | Extremely high motivation for most dogs; thick and sticky | Always verify no xylitol on the label; use sparingly (calorie-dense) |
| Cream cheese | Rich, sticky, very appealing; works well frozen | Plain only; use a thin layer — high fat |
| Canned sardines in water | Intensely motivating for many dogs; omega-3 benefit | Water-packed only, no salt added; mash smooth |
| Cottage cheese | High protein, creamy texture, strong smell | Low-fat preferred; freeze well for extended sessions |
🐶 Puppy-Safe Options
Best for: puppies under 6 months, small breeds, dogs new to lick mats
| Food | Why It Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Greek yogurt | Gentle, easy to lick, familiar milk-adjacent smell | Unsweetened; introduce in small amounts first |
| Mashed banana | Sweet, soft, very easy for small mouths | Small amounts; avoid daily due to natural sugar |
| Puppy wet food (moistened) | Age-appropriate nutrition; no new ingredients | Use same food as regular meals; count calories |
Which SodaPup eMat Should You Use?
All SodaPup eMats are made from the same FDA-compliant, food-grade rubber — USA-made in Boulder, Colorado, BPA/PVC/phthalate-free, and dishwasher-safe. The differences are texture pattern, size, and whether the model includes suction cups. Here are the five models best suited to specific use cases:
For Everyday Enrichment — Honeycomb eMat
The deep hexagonal pattern holds soft foods and spreadables securely and extends licking sessions naturally. Available in multiple sizes. The go-to for daily mealtime enrichment, calming routines, and introducing the mat to new dogs.
For Grooming, Baths & Nail Trims — Rubber Duckies eMat (with Suction Cups)
Suction cups mount directly to tile floors, tub walls, or grooming tables and hold firm during handling. The bath-themed design makes it visually intuitive for the cooperative care context. Load with peanut butter or cream cheese — the suction cups keep the mat in place while you work.
Shop the Rubber Duckies eMat →
For Grooming & Vet Visits — Whale eMat (with Suction Cups)
Same suction-cup construction as the Duckies mat in a different pattern. Mounts on any smooth surface for hands-free grooming sessions. The larger format works well for medium and large breeds during extended handling procedures.
For Cooperative Care Training — Tree of Life eMat (with Suction Cups)
Deep-groove texture maximizes session duration — ideal for longer cooperative care sessions like full baths, extensive brushing, or veterinary examinations. The suction cups provide confident wall or floor mounting. A favorite among Fear Free practitioners and professional groomers.
For Small Dogs & Puppies — Flower Power & Honeycomb Bundle (2-Pack)
Two small-format eMats sized for puppies, small breeds, and cats. Rotating between two textures keeps enrichment sessions novel. Ideal for introducing puppies to lick mat use and building the positive associations that make cooperative care easier later in life.
Browse the full lick mat collection: SodaPup eMat Lick Mats →
Related Guides
Once you have your lick mat routine established, these applications are where the impact becomes most noticeable:
- Lick Mats for Dogs: Safety, Supervision, and What to Put on Them — our comprehensive deep-dive on lick mat safety: material standards, supervision protocols, freezing technique, cleaning, and full topping guidance organized by goal.
- How to Use a Lick Mat for Dog Grooming, Nail Trims, and Vet Visits — step-by-step cooperative care protocol, what to load the mat with for maximum compliance, and how to introduce it to a handling-averse dog.
- Enrichment for Dogs with Separation Anxiety — how to use a frozen lick mat as part of a pre-departure routine to shift your dog’s emotional state before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lick mats safe for dogs?
Yes, when made from food-grade materials and used with appropriate supervision. The key factors are material quality (FDA-compliant food-grade rubber, BPA/PVC-free), correct sizing, and supervising your dog during early sessions to confirm they are licking rather than chewing. Replace any mat that shows cracks, gouges, or surface damage immediately.
What is the best food to put on a lick mat?
It depends on your goal. For calming, plain Greek yogurt or pumpkin puree. For high-value motivation during grooming or vet visits, xylitol-free peanut butter or cream cheese. For sensitive stomachs, boiled chicken mashed with low-sodium broth or mashed sweet potato. For weight management, watermelon puree or diluted pumpkin. See the full topping guide above for 20 options grouped by goal.
How do I freeze a lick mat?
Spread food firmly into the grooves, place flat on a small tray, and freeze for 2–4 hours or overnight. Serve directly from the freezer. A frozen mat extends sessions from 5–10 minutes to 20–30+ minutes and is especially effective for departure windows, grooming, and vet visits. Prepare several at once and keep a supply ready.
How do I clean a lick mat?
SodaPup eMats are dishwasher-safe. For hand-washing, soak in warm soapy water, scrub grooves with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly. Clean after every use. Never use bleach or abrasive cleaners. Inspect for damage at every wash and replace at the first sign of cracking or gouging.
Can I use a lick mat for nail trims and grooming?
Yes — one of the most effective applications. Suction-cup eMats mount on tile floors, tub walls, or grooming tables. Load with a high-value food before the session starts. Over time, the mat becomes a reliable positive predictor of handling, which is the foundation of cooperative care. See our full guide: How to Use a Lick Mat for Grooming and Nail Trims.
Can puppies use lick mats?
Yes, with supervision. Choose a mat sized for your puppy (the Small Dog Bundle works well) and use soft, age-appropriate foods. Supervise early sessions to confirm licking behavior. Start with 5–10 minute sessions.
Shop SodaPup eMat Lick Mats:
- Honeycomb eMat — best for everyday enrichment
- Rubber Duckies eMat (suction cups) — best for baths and grooming
- Whale eMat (suction cups) — best for vet visits and handling
- Tree of Life eMat (suction cups) — best for extended cooperative care sessions
- Small Dog & Puppy Bundle (2-Pack) — best for small breeds and puppies
All SodaPup eMats are USA-made from FDA-compliant, food-grade rubber. BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, dishwasher-safe.