It looks like a simple rubber placemat, but do not be fooled. The LickiMat is one of the most powerful enrichment tools you can own. When searching for the best cat lick mat Australia has to offer, you’re not just buying a toy; you are buying a secret weapon against boredom and a powerful tool for calming anxiety.
It’s also the simplest solution for a cat that eats way too fast.
You have probably seen them online. Now you need a definitive, expert led guide to choosing the perfect LickiMat for your specific cat. We have sorted through all the models, textures, and materials to bring you that guide.
Quick Summary
| Model | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LickiMat Soother | Anxiety Relief / Purees | 4.9 / 5 |
| LickiMat Buddy | Slow Feeding / Chunky Toppings | 4.8 / 5 |
| LickiMat Tuff | Durability / Teething Kittens | 4.7 / 5 |
While you’re here, we also settle the great Licki Mat vs Puzzle Feeder debate.
Why a LickiMat Is a Secret Weapon For Cat Enrichment
So, why does this simple mat work so well? It is not about the food; it is about the licking.
Cats are hardwired to be stimulated by foraging and working for their food. A simple food bowl is boring. It provides zero mental enrichment.
The LickiMat completely changes the game. It forces your cat to slow down. They have to lick and work to get their reward. This simple act has a profound, scientifically backed effect on their brain.
A LickiMat’s power comes from a simple, scientific principle. For a cat, the repetitive act of licking is a powerful self soothing behavior that triggers the release of calming endorphins.
This isn’t just a theory; it is a core tenet of modern feline enrichment.
Leading veterinary led organizations like Fear Free Pets, whose entire mission is to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in animals, champion licking as a primary tool for creating a calmer emotional state.
The LickiMat is simply a brilliant tool designed to harness this natural, science backed instinct.
The benefits are huge:
- It reduces anxiety and stress.
- It provides a long lasting distraction during scary events.
- It busts boredom for indoor cats.
- It slows down fast eaters, which improves digestion.
It’s the perfect antidote for the common signs of a bored cat.
A Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Perfect LickiMat
All LickiMats are good. But the different models are designed for specific jobs. Choosing the right surface pattern and durability level is the key to getting the best results.
1. Understanding The Different Surface Patterns
The pattern is everything. It determines what kind of food you can use and the challenge it provides.
The Soother pattern, with its bumpy texture, is the original. It is designed for soft, runny foods like yogurt, purees, or wet food “gravy.” It is the best pattern for pure, anxiety reducing licking.
The Buddy pattern features a more complex, cross maze design. It is better at holding chunkier foods, like mashed up sardines or your cat’s favorite pate. This makes it ideal for slow feeding.
2. “Tuff” vs. Classic: Choosing the Right Durability
This choice is all about your cat’s personality.
The Classic LickiMats are made from soft, flexible rubber. They are perfect for calm, adult cats who are gentle lickers.
The Tuff series is a major upgrade. They have a rigid polypropylene base that is virtually indestructible. This makes them the only choice for a cat that is a strong chewer. It is also essential for teething kittens who will try to bite everything.
3. Material & Cat Safety (Food Grade Rubber)
This is a non negotiable. Your cat is eating directly off this surface.
All official LickiMat products are made from 100% human grade, food safe rubber. They contain no BPA, no phthalates, no silicone, and no other toxic substances.
This is a critical safety feature. Do not ever buy a cheap, knockoff mat that does not explicitly state that it is made from food grade materials.
4. The Cleaning Factor: Dishwasher Safe or Hand Wash?
A dirty LickiMat can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Keeping it hygienic is essential.
The Classic series mats are hand wash only. The soft rubber can warp in the high heat of a dishwasher.
The Tuff series, because of its rigid base, is completely dishwasher safe.
This can be a major deciding factor for busy owners. If you want the easiest possible clean, the Tuff series is the clear winner. Knowing how to clean a licki mat properly is crucial.
The Best Cat LickiMats In Australia (The In Depth Reviews)
You know a LickiMat is the right tool. Now it’s time to choose the perfect model for your cat’s specific needs. We went deep on the three most popular and effective options. This is our official breakdown.
1. Best For Anxiety & Purees: LickiMat Felix
LickiMat Felix
Report Card
- Anxiety Reduction: 10 / 10
- Slow Feeding: 7 / 10
- Durability: 6 / 10
- Ease of Cleaning: 7 / 10
For pure, calming enrichment, the LickiMat Felix is the masterpiece. Unlike the generic square mats, the Felix is cleverly designed in the shape of a cat’s face.
This is not just a cute gimmick; its complex pattern of gentle ridges and curves is scientifically designed for a cat’s tongue.
This surface is perfect for holding soft, spreadable treats like yogurt, purees, or wet food gravy. The intricate design forces your cat into a long, satisfying licking session. This repetitive action is the secret sauce.
It triggers the release of calming endorphins, melting away their stress. This makes it the perfect tool to help anxiety, which we cover in our deep dive on can a licki mat help cat anxiety. It is, without a doubt, the best cat lick mat australia has for pure, unadulterated anxiety relief.
- Pros: Cat specific design, maximizes calming licking, perfect for purees and runny treats.
- Cons: Not designed for heavy chewers, hand wash only.
2. Best For Slow Feeding & Chunky Toppings: LickiMat Classic Buddy
Lickimat Classic Buddy
Report Card
- Slow Feeding: 10 / 10
- Enrichment Value: 9 / 10
- Durability: 6 / 10
- Ease of Cleaning: 6 / 10
If the Soother is for snacks, the Buddy is for main courses. This is your go to tool for a cat that eats way too fast.
The Buddy features a more complex, cross maze pattern. This design is brilliant. It’s specifically made to trap chunkier, thicker foods like your cat’s favourite wet food pate, mashed sardines, or raw food.
Instead of inhaling their meal in 30 seconds, your cat is forced to slow down. They must lick and work their way through the maze. This turns a frantic mealtime into a 10-minute enrichment puzzle.
This is the answer for “scarf and barf” cats. It dramatically improves their digestion and provides vital mental stimulation. It is, without a doubt, the best slow feeder for cats wet food.
- Pros: Perfect for slowing down fast eaters, great for chunky wet foods, provides excellent mental enrichment.
- Cons: Still a hand wash only model, not designed for aggressive chewers.
3. Best For Chewers & Teething Kittens: LickiMat Tuff Soother
LickiMat Cat TUFF Mini Soother
Report Card
- Durability: 10 / 10
- Ease of Cleaning: 10 / 10
- Anxiety Reduction: 10 / 10
- Value for Money: 9 / 10
Do you have a cat who is a chewer? A biter? A tiny, teething demon who destroys everything? Then the Tuff Soother is your only choice.
This model takes the brilliant, anxiety busting pattern of the original Soother and fuses it to a rigid, co-molded polypropylene base. The result is a mat that is virtually bombproof. A cat simply cannot get its teeth into it.
The best part? This rigid design makes it 100% dishwasher safe. This is a massive win for busy owners who want the most hygienic and convenient cleaning option.
This is why our guide on how to clean a licki mat rates the Tuff series so highly. It’s the tougher, more convenient, and more durable upgrade.
- Pros: Almost indestructible, completely dishwasher safe, same brilliant calming pattern as the Soother.
- Cons: Higher price point, not flexible like the Classic models.
Conclusion
The LickiMat is not a toy. It is a powerful tool. It is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to improve your cat’s daily life.
Choose the model that best fits your cat’s needs and your lifestyle. Whether for calming, slow feeding, or sheer durability, you can’t go wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best, safest toppings to put on a LickiMat?
For the ultimate resource, see our complete guide: What to Put on a LickiMat for Cats. But great starters include pureed wet cat food, plain Greek yogurt, or even just the juice from a can of tuna.
Can I freeze a LickiMat to make the treat last longer?
Yes, absolutely! Freezing a topped LickiMat is a fantastic hack. It makes the treat last much longer and is a soothing, cooling reward on a hot Australian summer day.
Will a LickiMat stop my cat from eating too fast?
Yes, the LickiMat Buddy model is specifically designed for this. Its maze like pattern turns a 30 second meal into a 10-minute enrichment session, dramatically improving your cat’s digestion.
Are LickiMats really dishwasher safe?
Only the “Tuff” series models with the rigid base are dishwasher safe. The flexible “Classic” series mats must be washed by hand, as the high heat of a dishwasher can cause them to warp.
