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.
Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl With Mat
A silicone slow-feeder bowl set into a spill-catching tray mat. The ridged centre slows fast eaters and aids digestion, while the raised mat keeps food and water mess off the floor. Soft, non-slip and easy to wipe clean.
From£13.99
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
Chase Buddy Boredom Busting Dog Toy
A sturdy chase toy for dogs left alone for short spells, redirecting the energy that turns into barking, pacing and chewed skirting boards into active play.
£23.99
Plush Snuffle Foraging Mat
A roll-up plush snuffle mat with cute animal designs. Hide treats in the folds and let your pet sniff and forage to find them - a rewarding enrichment game that beats boredom and slows feeding.
£13.99
Recordable Dog Talking Buttons with Mat
A set of recordable sound buttons on interlocking non-slip mat tiles that lets your dog 'talk' by pressing for words like food, walks or play. A fun way to build communication and mental enrichment at home.
£28.99
Catit Treat Ball
A rolling cat treat ball that dispenses rewards or closes for ordinary ball play
£7.49
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Carrot Tumbler Treat-Dispensing Toy
A wobbling carrot-shaped tumbler that dispenses treats as pets nudge it, rewarding play and slowing eating.
£17.99
Sunflower Snuffle Mat Slow Feeder
A felt sunflower snuffle mat, roughly 37.5cm across, with yellow petals and a fluffy brown centre that hides kibble and treats. Encourages natural foraging to slow fast eaters and ease boredom. Ties on to fix it in place; machine washable.
£12.99
Duck Treat-Dispensing Puzzle Toy
A duck-shaped puzzle toy that dispenses treats when your pet presses the paddle.
£36.99
Wooden Cat Foraging Maze Puzzle Box
A natural bamboo foraging puzzle box with cut-out channels and recesses that hold treats, kibble or a bell ball. Encourages cats to paw, hunt and problem-solve, slowing greedy eaters and easing boredom. Approx 28 x 28 x 6cm.
£19.99
Spherical Slow Feeder Licking Bowl
A spherical non-slip slow feeder that paces fast eaters and turns mealtimes into a calming licking ritual. The ridged surface slows gulping, aiding digestion and easing boredom for dogs and cats alike.
From£13.99
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.