It is a small extra with a calm payoff: a few quiet minutes of licking, which many dogs find soothing.
How it works
You spread a soft food over the textured surface, and the dog has to work the tongue across it to get everything. Licking slows a dog down and is widely used as a calming activity. Common fillings are peanut butter, plain yogurt, pumpkin purée and wet food. Check labels, because some peanut butters contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Freezing a filled mat makes it last longer.
The Happy Lick Mat at the kennel
On the 2026 rate sheet the Happy Lick Mat is $4.99, with a choice of peanut butter or cheese. It sits with the other extras: the Happy Pup Cup at $4.99, the Happy Pupsicle at $7.99 and additional picture play sessions. You can ask for one at drop-off or call 707-678-6600 in advance. Tell the staff about allergies, and about any dog on a restricted diet.
Enrichment, not just a treat
California law requires boarding facilities to give each pet daily enrichment, defined as objects or activities suited to the species that stimulate the pet and support well-being. A lick mat is one simple example. Walks, time in a fenced yard and chewing also count. Happy Paws has large fenced play areas and a grass field, and walks are included in the nightly rate.
Using one at home
Wash the mat after each use, by hand or in the dishwasher if the maker allows it. Offer it on a mat or the floor and watch the first few uses. Lick mats suit anxious dogs before a vet visit, after a bath or during storms. Read lick mats and frozen treats and see the Happy Lick Mat page.
Choosing a filling
Peanut butter and cheese are the two choices at the kennel. For home, dog-safe fillings include plain yogurt, mashed banana in small amounts, canned dog food, and cooked pumpkin. Spread it thin for a quick treat and thick for a long one. Freezing a filled mat for a few hours turns a five-minute snack into a half-hour project. Keep fillings low in fat for dogs prone to stomach upset.
Always supervise a new mat, and take it away if your dog starts chewing the silicone.