{
 "schema": "whattobuyfor/v1",
 "type": "comparison",
 "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/kong-vs-lick-mat/",
 "json": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/kong-vs-lick-mat.json",
 "publisher": "What to Buy For",
 "method": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/how-we-build-a-basket/",
 "pricesAsOf": "2026-10-26T07:32:29.264Z",
 "priceNote": "Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.",
 "affiliateDisclosure": "Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.",
 "title": "Kong or lick mat?",
 "answer": "A Kong, a chew toy you stuff with food for the dog to work out. A lick mat, for licking food off a textured surface, which Dogs Trust says lets a dog enjoy it calmly. Both last longer frozen, and the food comes out of the dog's daily meals.",
 "published": "2026-10-02",
 "updated": "2026-10-02",
 "noindex": false,
 "kind": "format",
 "table": {
  "columns": [
   "",
   "Kong",
   "Lick mat"
  ],
  "rows": [
   [
    "What it is",
    "A chew toy you stuff with food",
    "A mat with a textured surface you spread food on"
   ],
   [
    "Make it last longer",
    "Freeze it after filling, Dogs Trust says",
    "The same"
   ],
   [
    "Food",
    "Part of the dog's daily allowance",
    "The same"
   ],
   [
    "Supervision",
    "Supervise, Dogs Trust says",
    "The same"
   ],
   [
    "The picks below",
    "Classic, medium size",
    "Three Classic patterns"
   ]
  ]
 },
 "sections": [
  {
   "heading": "What is the difference between a Kong and a lick mat?",
   "paragraphs": [
    "How the dog gets the food. A Kong is a chew toy you stuff with food, and a lick mat is a textured surface you spread food across. Dogs Trust suggests either for a lunchtime meal, filling up a Kong or smearing the dog's food on a lick mat, and says a lick mat lets a dog enjoy its food calmly."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "How do you make a Kong or lick mat last longer?",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Freeze it after filling. Dogs Trust says freezing before feeding makes the food take that extra bit longer, so the dog savours the taste and keeps at it, and suggests pre-filling and chilling a rubber feeder for the same reason."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Do food toys make dogs put on weight?",
   "paragraphs": [
    "They can, unless the food comes out of the daily allowance. Dogs Trust warns that regular food-based enrichment can make a dog gain too much weight, and says that if the dog has it during the day, take it out of the evening meal."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Should you leave a dog alone with a Kong or lick mat?",
   "paragraphs": [
    "No, stay nearby. Dogs Trust says to supervise your dog in case it needs help, particularly with homemade food enrichment, and that enrichment should be offered daily."
   ]
  }
 ],
 "picks": [
  {
   "role": "A stuffable chew toy",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/kong-vs-lick-mat/#role-kong",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B000AYN7LU",
    "name": "KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy",
    "amazonTitle": "KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, For Medium Dogs | Treat-Fillable Hollow Interior, Erratic Bounce for Extended Play, Durable Natural Red Rubber, for Average Chewers",
    "brand": "KONG",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31lf1xkSJTL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AYN7LU?tag=whattobuyfor-21",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B000AYN7LU.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 8.79,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-10-26T07:32:29.264Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:20:18.696Z",
     "rating": 4.5,
     "ratings": 87347,
     "boughtLastMonth": "2K+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 2,
      "category": "Chew Toys for Dogs"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 13,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "Tough rubber that stands up to heavy chewers",
       "count": 10
      },
      {
       "text": "Stuffed with food, it keeps a dog busy for a long time",
       "count": 8
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "Smaller sizes are emptied fast; a bigger one lasts longer",
       "count": 2
      },
      {
       "text": "Fiddly to clean food out of the inside and the small hole",
       "count": 2
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "KONG Classic, medium",
    "ourTake": "For a dog that likes to work its food out. The listing calls it a stuffable toy for medium dogs; Dogs Trust suggests filling a Kong with lunch and freezing it to make it last longer. Count the filling as part of the day's food, not on top of it."
   }
  },
  {
   "role": "Lick mats for spreading food on",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/kong-vs-lick-mat/#role-lick-mat",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B0D488V5CS",
    "name": "LickiMat Classic Dog Feeding Mats Pack of 3",
    "amazonTitle": "LickiMat Classic Dog Feeding Mats Pack of 3 (Soother, Playdate & Buddy) Ideal for Food, Treats & Peanut Butter, Dog Lick Mats for Boredom & Anxiety Relief, Fun Alternative to a Slow Feeder Bowl",
    "brand": "LICKIMAT",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CdnbRGinL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D488V5CS?tag=whattobuyfor-21",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B0D488V5CS.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 12.99,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-10-26T07:32:29.264Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": null,
    "buyersSay": null,
    "ourName": "LickiMat Classic (3)",
    "ourTake": "For licking food off a textured surface, which Dogs Trust describes as a way for a dog to enjoy food calmly. The listing gives three Classic patterns for food and treats. Freeze a spread mat to slow things down, and stay nearby while it is in use, as Dogs Trust advises."
   }
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "Dogs Trust: enrichment activities to keep your dog entertained",
   "url": "https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/enrichment/enrichment-activities-for-dogs",
   "checked": "2026-10-02"
  },
  {
   "name": "Dogs Trust: keeping your dog entertained while working from home",
   "url": "https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/working-from-home",
   "checked": "2026-10-02"
  }
 ]
}