How to Clean Lick Mats, Slow Feeders and Puzzle Feeders

Lick mats, slow feeder bowls and puzzle feeders are great for keeping pets busy, but all those grooves, ridges and little pockets are exactly where old food hides. Wet food, yogurt and peanut butter dry into the gaps, and a mat that only gets a quick rinse can turn smelly or grow mold within days. This guide covers how to clean them properly by hand or in the dishwasher, the right brushes for the job, and when to replace one.

The hand washing steps follow LickiMat’s own cleaning instructions, in our own words, and the hygiene basics come from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s pet food handling tips, which are public domain. Both are linked under further reading. Always check the care label for your own mat or feeder, since materials differ.

How often to clean them

The FDA advises washing pet food bowls and scoops with soap and hot water after each use. Lick mats and slow feeders hold food in the same way, so treat them the same: wash after every use, especially after wet food, raw food, yogurt or anything that spoils. Do not top up a used mat with fresh food.

Lick mats: washing by hand

Scrape off what is left into the trash as soon as your pet is done, before it dries.
Soak in warm, soapy water. LickiMat suggests laying the mat in the sink under warm water with a few drops of dish soap and leaving it about 15 minutes. Soaking softens dried food in the grooves.
Brush in every direction. Use a medium or soft bristle dish brush, not a hard scrubber that can damage the surface. Brush up and down, side to side and in circles, for a couple of minutes per mat, so the bristles reach into each groove.
Rinse well under running water until no soap or food is left.
Shake off the water and dry it flat, face up. Store mats flat when you are not using them so they keep their shape.

A silicone bottle brush or an old soft toothbrush kept just for pet things is handy for small holes and suction cup mats.

Lick mats: the dishwasher

Whether a mat can go in the dishwasher depends on what it is made of. LickiMat says its classic natural rubber mats may warp with dishwasher heat and are best washed by hand, while its rigid Tuff range is dishwasher safe; if your dishwasher has a hot drying cycle, use the top rack. For any mat:

Check the label or maker’s website first.
Scrape and rinse it before it goes in.
Lay it as flat as you can on the top rack.
Skip heated drying if the maker says so, and let it air dry.

Slow feeder bowls and puzzle feeders

Empty and rinse straight after the meal.
Soak in hot, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes if food has dried in the maze.
Scrub every channel with a bottle brush or narrow dish brush. Pay attention to the base of each ridge, where a slimy film tends to build up.
Rinse well and let it dry completely before refilling. Damp kibble left in a feeder goes stale quickly.

Many hard plastic slow feeders are top rack dishwasher safe; check the label. For puzzle toys that come apart, take every piece out and wash them separately. Treat dispensing balls the same way, and see how to clean pet toys for rubber chew toys.

Mold, smells and stains

Black spots or a musty smell usually mean food has been left in the grooves or the mat was stored damp. Soak and scrub thoroughly, and dry fully every time.
Mold that will not scrub out of a soft rubber mat is a sign to replace it. Do not let your pet use it.
Stains from foods like pumpkin or carrot are cosmetic. If the mat is clean and does not smell, it is fine to use.
Do not use bleach on soft rubber or silicone unless the maker says it is safe; it can break down the material.

When to replace a mat or feeder

Replace it if your pet has chewed off pieces, if it has deep cuts or cracks that hold food, or if mold keeps coming back. Lick mats are meant to be licked, not chewed, so take them away once the food is gone, especially with strong chewers.

Clean the bowls too

The same habits keep everyday bowls clean. See how to clean pet food and water bowls and how to clean an automatic pet feeder.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Messy lickers often leave sticky spots on the floor and rug. Our Pet Cleanup Kit is made for pet stains and odors on carpet and fabric. Putting a lick mat on a washable towel or a hard floor makes cleanup easier.

Frequently asked questions

Are lick mats dishwasher safe?

Some are and some are not. Rigid and hard plastic mats usually are, top rack. Soft natural rubber mats can warp, so hand washing is safer. Check the maker’s instructions.

How do you get peanut butter out of a lick mat?

Soak it in warm soapy water for about 15 minutes, then brush in every direction with a soft or medium dish brush and rinse well.

How often should I wash a slow feeder?

After every meal, like any food bowl. The FDA advises washing pet food bowls with soap and hot water after each use.

Why does my dog’s lick mat smell?

Food left in the grooves, or storing it damp. Clean it straight after use, dry it fully and store it flat. Replace it if mold keeps coming back.