Lick mat or slow feeder: which one for your dog
Share
A lick mat loaded with our freeze-dried treats and a slow feeder both slow a dog down, but they're different tools for different situations. Understanding the difference helps you pick the right one for your dog's eating style and your feeding routine.
What a lick mat does
A lick mat is a flat enrichment toy with textured grooves that hold soft food, yogurt, or crumbled treats. Your dog licks to extract the food, using her tongue in a repetitive motion that keeps her focused. Lick mats are portable, freeze-friendly, and work for any dog regardless of size or shape. They encourage natural licking behavior and extend feeding time from minutes to 20 or 30 minutes.
What a slow feeder does
A slow feeder is a bowl with raised ridges or dividers that portion out kibble or wet food into smaller sections. Your dog still eats the same amount, but the bowl forces her to work around obstacles, which slows her pace significantly. Slow feeders work best for dogs who eat kibble or who are accustomed to eating from a bowl.
Lick mats work best for
Dogs who love licking, puppies learning enrichment, dogs who need focused time, travel and outdoor events, training when you want extended focus, or crate training. Lick mats are also the choice when you want to use freeze-dried treats or yogurt spreads instead of kibble.
Slow feeders work best for
Dogs who eat kibble too quickly, mealtimes when you want to use dry food, dogs who wolf food and have issues, or dogs who eat from a bowl and you want minimal cleanup. Slow feeders are also easier for dogs who aren't interested in licking activity as a feeding method.
Can I use both?
Yes, absolutely. Rotate them based on the day or the situation. Use a slow feeder for morning kibble and a lick mat for a midday enrichment session. This variety keeps both tools interesting and gives your dog different ways to engage with her food.
In the Toys aisle
Our lick mats include the Sky eMat in light blue or yellow, 16.99 dollars, the Zombie eMat in black or orange, 15.99 dollars, and the Citrus eMat with suction cups, 15.99 dollars. Our slow feeders include the Garden Design eTray, 14.99 dollars, the Mandala eTray, 14.99 dollars, and the Waiting Dogs eTray, 14.99 dollars.
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. Load your mat with our freeze-dried treats.
Questions
Can I feed my dog kibble on a lick mat?
Not easily. Kibble doesn't stick to the mat. You'd need to wet it with broth or yogurt first, which turns it into a different meal, not a normal kibble feeding. Stick with slow feeders for dry kibble.
Can I use a slow feeder for treats?
Some dogs figure out how to lick treats out of a slow feeder, but mats work better for that purpose. Slow feeders are designed for kibble and wet food, not for treats and licking.
Which one is easier to clean?
Slow feeders wash faster if you rinse right away. Lick mats take slightly longer because the grooves hold more food residue. Both go in the dishwasher on the top rack.
Do both slow my dog down equally?
No. A slow feeder slows eating significantly, typically by more than half. A lick mat extends the activity to 20 to 30 minutes. If you want the longest time extension, the lick mat wins.
What if my dog has a sensitive appetite or eats too fast?
Both tools work. A slow feeder stops rapid eating, which helps with comfort. A lick mat with freeze-dried treats takes so long that the food is distributed throughout the stomach over time. Either way, using these tools offers benefits.
Find the right bowl or mat for your dog at explore.
