Anxious Pet? Try This Gentle Trick to Help Them Feel Calm

Does your dog chew on things when you're away? Does your cat meow constantly or pace at night?

You're not alone. Pet anxiety is more common than most people realize, especially in dogs and cats who crave connection, routine, and a sense of safety.

A lick mat is a textured feeding surface that gives dogs and cats a way to lick small amounts of food. It can add variety to an everyday routine, but it is not a treatment for anxiety. Persistent chewing, pacing, or excessive grooming deserves a conversation with your veterinarian.

How Lick Mats Can Support Everyday Enrichment

Cornell’s canine enrichment guidance describes licking and chewing as activities that can be self-soothing for dogs. A mat offers one way to explore this with familiar food. Watch your own pet: some enjoy licking, while others prefer sniffing, chasing, or simply resting nearby.

Begin during an ordinary quiet moment. Avoid using food to keep a frightened pet in a situation they cannot leave. If your pet seems distressed, stop and discuss their needs with your veterinarian.

A Different Pace for Wet-Food Snacks

Spreading a thin layer of suitable food over a textured surface can make snack time last longer than offering a spoonful. It is an enrichment option, not a guarantee of better digestion or protection against digestive illness.

Use a small amount from your pet’s usual food allowance. The right amount depends on their diet and health needs.

Make Food Enrichment Easy to Enjoy

Start with a familiar, diet-appropriate wet food rather than a mix of unfamiliar toppings. Ask your veterinarian about suitable options if your pet has allergies or follows a prescribed diet.

VCA recommends choosing activities that are easy enough to avoid frustration. Keep the first attempt simple, and put the mat away if your pet loses interest or starts chewing it.

Choose and Use a Lick Mat Safely

Choose a size and material suited to your pet, and follow the product’s care instructions.
Supervise use, especially with a new mat. Remove it if your pet bites off pieces.
Inspect the surface for damage and clean it after feeding.
Offer food in a comfortable place where your pet can approach or leave freely.

Orange cat using a lilac Purrfect Lick N’ Stick mat, with lilac and blush pink options.

Can Cats Use Lick Mats Too?

Some cats enjoy licking their usual wet food from a shallow textured mat. Others may prefer a familiar dish. Let their response guide you, and avoid assuming that eating means a cat is comfortable.

Look at their posture and ears as well. Our guide to cat ear positions and body language explains what to notice.

White and orange cat resting beside a window.

Build a Routine That Follows Your Pet’s Lead

Try one small change at a time, then notice what your pet chooses. A lick mat can be one part of the day alongside play, rest, and time together.

For more variety, explore five everyday ways to support your cat or dog’s wellbeing.

Ready to Try It?

Compare textures and shapes in the Owlove lick mat collection, and choose an option that suits your pet’s feeding habits.

Choose a feeding activity around your pet’s preferences. Keep the first session short, stay nearby, and notice whether they want to return to it. Enrichment should feel like an invitation.

Blue and pink Owlove lick mats with illustrated feeding and enrichment benefits.

The product graphic above summarizes intended uses. Individual responses vary; a lick mat does not guarantee anxiety relief or improved digestion.

Sources and further reading

Educational information for pet parents. These sources inform the article; they do not imply veterinary review or endorsement of Owlove products.