Dog lick mat guide: choose the right one for your dog
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A lick mat loaded with crumbled freeze-dried treats gives your dog something engaging to work on while you cook, groom or just need a moment. The right mat depends on your dog's size and how hard they push with their tongue.
Start with size
SodaPup makes two sizes. Large mats measure about 8 by 8 inches and work for most dogs. Small mats, around 4 by 4 inches, suit puppies, toy breeds or dogs who prefer a contained challenge. The Turtle eMat Mini is 4 inches square with suction cups, rated easy to medium for texture difficulty.
Texture matters
SodaPup rates each mat by difficulty. Light textures are easier for puppies or gentle lickers. Deep grooves challenge determined dogs. The Sky eMat has a cloud pattern with medium texture. The Zombie eMat uses a skull design, also medium difficulty.
Suction cups or flat
Mats with suction cups stick to tile, glass or tub walls for bath time and grooming. The Citrus Design eMat comes in lime green, orange or pink with cups that hold it during a session. Flat mats like the Vino Dog eMat work on the floor or a nose level surface.
Modern Dog offers silicone
The Modern Dog Company makes silicone mats from Nashville. All their designs come in one size (about 8 by 8 inches) with suction cups. They include a spatula and brush in the box. All go in the dishwasher and microwave. They describe mats as made for spreading something soft across the pattern, pressing the cups to a surface, then stepping away while your dog works.
Holiday and seasonal designs
SodaPup's Love eMat comes in Large (8 by 8) and Small (4 by 4) with a heart pattern. The Peace Christmas Tree eMat features a holiday tree design in the standard 8-inch size.
In the Toys aisle
Sky eMat, light blue, cloud and celestial pattern, $16.99. Zombie eMat, black or orange, skull design, $15.99 each. Citrus Design eMat, lime green, orange or pink, with suction cups, $15.99 each. Vino Dog eMat, red, wine and vineyard pattern, $15.99. Turtle eMat Mini, blue, small with suction cups, $15.99.
How it ships
SodaPup products are sold through Shopify Collective and shipped to you directly by SodaPup in Longmont, Colorado, usually within one business day, with their own tracking. Not made or shipped by Sniff and Shift. Our freeze-dried treats are made in Malvern, Pennsylvania and ship separately from us.
Questions
Can I freeze a lick mat?
Yes. All SodaPup mats go in the freezer for extra grip during a session. Fill or spread, freeze, then thaw and serve. Freezing also makes cleanup easier.
How do I clean it?
SodaPup mats go on the top rack of the dishwasher. Rinse by hand first if there's dried-on food. All of them are TPE and take a quick wash well.
My dog is a strong chewer. Which mat survives that?
SodaPup suggests sizing up if your dog chews the mat rather than licking it. Deeper grooves and thicker silicone resist punctures. The Zombie, Sky, and Citrus mats are all solid choices for persistent dogs. Supervise play regardless of the mat you pick.
Do I need suction cups?
Suction cups help if you plan to use the mat on tile, glass or a tub wall during grooming or bath time. If your dog works on the mat on the kitchen floor, a flat mat is fine. The cups hold the mat still so your dog can focus on the spread rather than chasing the mat around.
What spreads work best?
Start with what you have: peanut butter, yogurt, wet food or kibble softened with broth. Crumble our freeze-dried treats into the pattern for a long-lasting, high-value option that delivers real meat with no filler.
Load your mat with crumbled freeze-dried treats for a longer session. Find more options on our Explore page, where you can filter by size, format and what you feed.
