If you've looked into calming enrichment for your dog, you've probably seen both lick mats and lick bowls. Both use licking, a naturally soothing behavior, to keep pets calm and busy. But they work differently, and one may suit your dog better than the other. Here's an honest comparison.
What is a lick mat?
A lick mat is a flat silicone or rubber mat covered in grooves and textures. You spread a soft food like yogurt or peanut butter into the grooves, and your dog licks it out. Many stick to a wall or tub with suction cups, which makes them popular for bath time.
What is a lick bowl?
A lick bowl holds the filling inside a well. Some, like the Slowpaw Lick Ball Bowl, use a rolling ball on top: each lick turns the ball and brings up a thin coat of filling, so the food comes out slowly instead of all at once.
Side-by-side comparison
Mess
Lick mat: Food sits on an open surface, so it can smear onto floors, paws and faces. Lick bowl: The filling stays inside, so there's less mess, especially with runny foods like broth.
Session length
Lick mat: Depends on how thick the filling is and how fast your dog licks; eager lickers can clean one quickly. Lick bowl: A rolling ball meters out a little at a time, so a small serving can last around 10 minutes, longer if frozen.
Types of filling
Lick mat: Best with thick, spreadable foods. Runny foods slide off. Lick bowl: Best with smooth, runny foods. Thin thick fillings with water so the ball rolls freely. See our list of 15 dog-safe lick bowl fillings.
Cleaning
Lick mat: Deep grooves can trap food and may need scrubbing. Lick bowl: Varies by design. The Slowpaw bowl pops apart into 3 pieces and goes on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Chewing
Lick mat: Thin silicone can be torn up by dogs who chew. Lick bowl: Sturdier, but still made for lickers, not power chewers. Always supervise with either one.
Freezing
Both can be frozen for longer sessions. Frozen lick mats can get floppy as they thaw; a frozen lick bowl cup keeps its shape.
Which should you choose?
Choose a lick mat if you mostly use thick spreads, want something to stick on the tub wall during baths, or want the lowest-cost option.
Choose a lick bowl if you want less mess, longer sessions from smaller servings, an easier clean-up, or a slow feeder for wet food. It also works well for cats.
Plenty of pet parents keep both: a mat stuck to the tub for baths and a bowl for everyday calm time, grooming, vet nerves and storms.
Try the Slowpaw Lick Ball Bowl
The Slowpaw Lick Ball Bowl turns a 10-second slurp into 10 calm minutes. It's freezer-friendly, dishwasher-safe, sized for small and medium dogs and cats, and ships free in the US. Bundle 2 for $50 so you always have one in the freezer.