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LickiMat Buddy review: the lick mat for calm and slow eating
The LickiMat Buddy is a textured rubber mat you spread soft food on, turning a snack into several minutes of calming licking. The repetitive licking soothes anxious dogs and slows down fast eaters, and it is great for crate time or nail trims. It is for soft food, not a chew toy, so supervise aggressive chewers.
Quick answer
The LickiMat Buddy is a textured rubber mat you spread soft food on, turning a snack into several minutes of calming licking. The repetitive licking soothes anxious dogs and slows down fast eaters, and it is great for crate time or nail trims. It is for soft food, not a chew toy, so supervise aggressive chewers.
LickiMat Buddy
Best for
- Calming an anxious dog
- Slowing down a treat or meal
- Distraction during grooming or crate time
Think twice if
- Your dog chews rubber to pieces
- You want a hard-food puzzle
- You expect it to survive unsupervised chewing
The simple act of licking is calming for dogs, it releases soothing signals and settles an anxious animal. The LickiMat Buddy harnesses that: you smear something soft and tasty across its textured surface and the dog works at it with its tongue for several minutes, calming down and slowing down at once.
How it actually works
The mat is covered in small rubber bumps and channels. Spread wet food, a dog-safe spread, yogurt or a frozen topping into the texture and the dog has to lick it out, which stretches a few seconds of food into several minutes of soothing activity. Frozen, it lasts even longer.
What reviewers and owners agree on
It genuinely calms anxious dogs and is a go-to for distraction during nail trims, baths, crate time and vet-prep. It is cheap, effective, and dishwasher-safe. The Tuff version suits stronger chewers.
Where it frustrates people
It is a lick mat, not a chew toy, a determined chewer can bite chunks off, so supervise and consider the heavier Tuff version. It is for soft food only, and getting food out of the texture needs a brush to clean.
How it compares
| Product | Job | Type | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Smart Feed | Scheduled feeding | WiFi app feeder | Mid | App control + 2-pet splitter |
| Outward Hound Fun Feeder | Slow feeding | Ridged slow bowl | Very low | Fast eaters & bloat risk |
| PETLIBRO Dockstream Fountain | Hydration | Cordless fountain | Mid | Encouraging drinking |
| LickiMat Buddy | Calm + slow eating | Textured lick mat | Very low | Anxiety & slow licking |
| Nina Ottosson Dog Casino | Enrichment | Advanced puzzle | Low | Mental challenge |
| PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Mat | Foraging | Fabric sniff mat | Low | Slow eating & scent work |
| Vittles Vault | Food storage | Airtight container | Low | Keeping kibble fresh |
| Product | Does the job | Durability | Ease of use | Cleanability | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Smart Feed | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Outward Hound Fun Feeder | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| PETLIBRO Dockstream Fountain | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| LickiMat Buddy | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Nina Ottosson Dog Casino | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Mat | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Vittles Vault | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Scoring reflects synthesized consensus from independent 2026 testing roundups and verified-owner feedback.
The short version
What works
- Calms anxious dogs
- Slows down fast lickers
- Great distraction for grooming and crates
- Cheap and dishwasher-safe
- Freeze it to last longer
What to weigh
- Not chew-proof, supervise chewers
- Soft food only
- Needs a brush to clean
- Strong chewers need the Tuff version
Who should buy it
Anyone with an anxious dog, or who wants a calming distraction during nail trims, baths or crate time.
Who should skip it
If your dog destroys rubber, use the heavier Tuff version and supervise, or choose a hard-food puzzle instead.
Bottom line
A cheap, genuinely calming tool. Freeze a smear of something tasty on it and it buys real quiet time.
Check price on AmazonFAQ
What do you put on a LickiMat?
Soft foods: wet food, plain yogurt, a dog-safe spread, or a frozen topping. Avoid anything toxic to dogs, and never use products containing xylitol.
Does a lick mat calm dogs down?
For many dogs, yes. Repetitive licking is self-soothing, which is why lick mats are popular for anxiety, grooming, crate time and vet visits.
Is the LickiMat safe to leave with my dog?
It is a lick mat, not a chew toy. Supervise chewers, since a determined dog can bite off pieces; the Tuff version is sturdier.
How we assessed this. A research-based review drawing on independent 2026 testing roundups and verified-owner feedback. Not a paid placement and not a hands-on lab test. We do not copy customer reviews or display Amazon ratings; the score is our own editorial judgment.
Affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, MyNubs earns from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you buy, at no additional cost to you.
Specifications and availability current as of September 8, 2026. Confirm price, model, and current rating on the live Amazon listing before buying.