Lickimat for puppies: what actually helps
Lickimat does not make a dedicated puppy-specific range, so if you have landed here looking for one, the honest answer is that it does not exist as a separate line. What does exist is a set of mats within the general range that genuinely suit a puppy's needs, particularly around slowing down fast eating and giving a teething mouth something safe to work on.
Why the mats suit puppies specifically
A licking mat spreads a small amount of food or a puppy-safe wet food or paste across a textured silicone surface, which naturally slows eating down. Puppies in particular tend to gulp food quickly, and a mat turns a thirty-second meal into several minutes of slower, more deliberate licking, which can help with both digestion and mealtime excitement.
Frozen briefly, a mat also gives real relief during teething, since the cold surface soothes sore gums in the same way a frozen chew would, but without the harder texture that can be uncomfortable for a young mouth still losing baby teeth.
Which shapes work best for a young dog
Smaller, flatter mats generally suit a puppy better than the larger bowl-style options built with a full adult dog's mealtime in mind. A smaller surface area means less mess for a puppy still learning table manners, and is easier to secure in place with the mat's own suction feet on a puppy-height surface.
Introduce the mat with something your puppy already likes rather than a new food at the same time, so the puppy associates the mat itself with something positive from the first use, rather than confusing a new texture with a new taste at once.
What to spread on it
Plain, puppy-safe options work best: a little plain natural yoghurt, mashed puppy-appropriate wet food, or a thin smear of peanut butter without xylitol, checked carefully on the label since xylitol is genuinely dangerous for dogs of any age. Avoid rich or fatty spreads, which can upset a young stomach more easily than an adult one.
Keep the amount small. A licking mat is meant to slow down and enrich a meal or a moment of calm, not to add significant extra calories on top of a puppy's normal complete diet.
For this need
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
LickiMat Classics Food Enrichment Lick Mat for Cats & Dogs
Rubber lick mats that slow feeding, encourage calm, and keep cats and dogs happily entertained — freezer and microwave safe.
£10.99
LickiMat Classic Buddy, Mint Dog Lick Mat
Criss-cross lick mat for spreadable food, 20 x 20cm, for bored or fast eaters
£6.99
LickiMat Classic Buddy, Coffee Dog Lick Mat
Criss-cross lick mat for spreadable food, 20 x 20cm, freezer and microwave safe
£6.99
LickiMat Slomo Slow Feeder Mat for Dogs
A textured rubber feeding mat that lets you serve wet and dry food together, slowing mealtimes and promoting calmer behaviour through licking.
£17.99
LickiMat Tuff Boredom Buster Feeding Mat — Buddy or Soother
An extra-durable lick mat for dogs and cats that can be frozen, microwaved, or run through the dishwasher — built to last longer than standard LickiMats.
From£14.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Lickimat Tuff Soother Orange
LickiMat Tuff Soother textured feeding mat for spreading soft foods
£11.95
LickiMat Classic Soother, Lavender Dog Lick Mat
Brush-tip lick mat for wet and liquid food, slows fast eating, 20 x 20cm
£6.99
Common questions
- Does Lickimat make a puppy-specific product?
- No, there is no separate puppy line, but several of the smaller, flatter mats in the general range suit a young dog well, particularly for slowing down fast eating and soothing teething discomfort when frozen.
- Can I freeze a Lickimat for a teething puppy?
- Yes, freezing a mat with a puppy-safe spread is a common way to soothe sore gums during teething, offering the cold relief of a frozen chew with a softer texture that is gentler on a young mouth.
- What can I put on a Lickimat for a puppy?
- Plain natural yoghurt, mashed puppy-appropriate wet food, or a thin layer of xylitol-free peanut butter all work well. Always check any peanut butter label carefully, since xylitol is genuinely toxic to dogs and appears in some brands.
- Is a Lickimat safe for an unsupervised puppy?
- Supervise the first several uses regardless of age, since any new item in a puppy's mouth carries some risk of chewing off a piece. Once you are confident your puppy uses it appropriately, most owners are comfortable leaving it during short periods.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.