Why Dogs Love LickiMats and How They Help With Calm, Focus and Anxiety Relief
If your pup lights up at the sight of their LickiMat, you’re not alone. These simple mats have become a household favourite among Kiwi dog parents — and for good reason. The calming power of licking taps into your dog’s natural behaviours, offering both mental enrichment and comfort. In this blog, we’ll dig into why dogs love their LickiMats, the science behind soothing through licking, and how adding one to your routine can support anxiety relief, focus, and a happier four-legged friend.
Why Dogs Lick For Comfort
For dogs, licking is more than a sign of affection. It’s an instinctive self-soothing behaviour. Puppies lick their mum for reassurance and milk, and adult dogs often lick as a way to relax or cope with stress. Licking releases feel-good endorphins, helping pups feel calm and secure — like a warm snuggle for their brain!
That’s where LickiMats come in. These textured feeding mats are designed to encourage repetitive licking, turning snack time into a calming ritual. Whether used for distraction during stressful moments, or to slow down speedy eaters, a LickiMat can be a real game-changer for dogs dealing with anxiety, boredom or overexcitement.
The Science Of LickiMats: How They Work
LickiMats aren’t just clever in design — they’re backed by behaviour science. The textured surface stimulates your dog’s tongue and encourages focused licking, which lowers cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone) and boosts serotonin, promoting calmness and contentment.
Using a LickiMat can benefit your dog in everyday situations, such as:
- During thunderstorms, fireworks or noisy gatherings
- At bath time or grooming sessions
- While home alone to prevent separation stress
- Crate training or calm bedtime routines
For extra zen, you can pair LickiMats with calming supplements for anxious dogs or tasty spreadables like peanut butter, yoghurt or wet food. You can even freeze them for a longer-lasting treat!
Supporting Anxiety And Behaviour Health
Many pet parents use LickiMats to help their dogs manage separation anxiety or hyperactivity. By giving your dog a job — in this case, licking — you’re encouraging focus and a more peaceful mindset. They’re especially handy for pups that struggle with overstimulation or need help winding down after playtime or walks.
If your pup experiences ongoing anxiety, it may be worth exploring dog anxiety care products in combination with your LickiMat routine. Think pheromone sprays, gentle training techniques, or even calming wraps like ThunderShirt to double down on de-stressing.
More Than Just A Treat Tool
LickiMats are enrichment heroes. They provide stimulation, mental engagement, and slow feeding benefits. For food-motivated dogs who gobble their meals too quickly, switching from a regular bowl to a LickiMat aids digestion and helps prevent bloating.
You can use LickiMats with:
- Wet food or gently warmed leftovers
- Dog wet food like K9 Natural and ZIWI
- Spreadable dog treats or natural treats
- Frozen toppings for long-lasting distractions
Looking for ideas? Give plain mashed pumpkin, a thin smear of plain Greek yoghurt, or even some softened soft training treats a go!
When To Use A LickiMat
Here at Petdirect, we get pet — and we know every dog is different. Some thrive with a LickiMat during certain times of day, while others benefit from it during more eventful moments. Try using one:
- During vet visits or nail trims as a positive association tool
- Before bedtime to signal wind-down time
- On rainy days or when your dog needs more inside enrichment
- To distract during brief absences or while crate training
Just remember to supervise the first few uses, especially for chewers. While most dogs gently lick their mats, some may be tempted to chew — so always go for a LickiMat suited to their age and chew strength.
LickiMats For A Happier, Calmer Dog
If your dog needs help calming down, managing their energy or enjoying mealtime more mindfully, a LickiMat could be the pawfect solution. This simple tool taps into your dog’s natural instincts to provide peace, purpose, and a tasty reward. When paired with calming essentials and love from their favourite human (that’s you), you’ll be supporting their wellbeing from nose to tail.
Ready to introduce some lickable zen into your dog’s life? Explore our range of LickiMats and irresistible treats online at Petdirect. Plus, don’t forget to join our Pet Perks loyalty programme for exclusive member rewards and fetch-worthy deals. Because when it comes to pet care, we’re here to make every tail wag with happiness.