Lick Mats, Kongs, and Chews: Puppy Safe Options for Soothing and Focus

"Lick mats, Kongs, and safe chews are not luxuries. They are tools that shape how your puppy learns to manage emotions, solve problems, and feel secure."

Why Puppies Explore With Their Mouths

Puppies are born curious. Before they understand the world through words, they explore through touch, scent, and taste. Mouthing, chewing, and licking are natural ways for them to investigate objects, soothe discomfort, and express excitement. These behaviors are not bad habits. They are important developmental stages.

Without the right outlets, however, these instincts can become overwhelming. Puppies may nip at hands, chew on furniture, or swallow unsafe items. The good news is that you can channel these needs into safe tools that support both emotional regulation and learning. Lick mats, Kongs, and chews are more than toys. They are training aids, comfort tools, and mental exercises all in one.

Why Puppies Need Chewing and Licking Outlets

Chewing and licking go far beyond keeping a puppy busy. They activate natural pathways in the brain that calm the nervous system. Puppies especially need these outlets during teething, growth spurts, and high-energy transitions.

When their chewing and licking needs are not met, puppies often:

• Bite hands out of frustration

• Destroy furniture or shoes

• Struggle to settle after playtime

When the needs are met with safe enrichment tools, puppies instead:

• Soothe teething discomfort

• Release calming hormones through repetitive licking

• Channel energy into constructive behaviors

• Build independence and self-soothing skills

• Learn emotional balance that lasts into adulthood

Instead of punishing chewing, guide it. A redirected puppy learns not just what is off-limits, but what is safe and rewarding.

What Is a Lick Mat and How Does It Help?

A lick mat is a flat, textured surface made of silicone or rubber. When spread with soft food, it encourages repetitive licking, which triggers relaxation. This action helps a puppy shift gears from excitement into calmness.

Benefits of lick mats:

• Settles a puppy after a busy play session

• Creates positive associations with crate time

• Distracts during grooming, nail trims, or baths

• Makes new or noisy environments feel safer

Puppy-safe foods to use on lick mats:

• Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt

• Mashed banana or pumpkin

• Softened raw or gently cooked food

• Low sodium bone broth

• Blended dog-safe fruits or vegetables

For an extended calming activity, freeze the mat before serving. This doubles the soothing effect during teething stages.

Using Kongs for Mental Stimulation

The Kong toy is a classic for a reason. Its hollow rubber shape can be stuffed with food and frozen for longer sessions. A puppy learns to work with their mouth, paws, and brain to get the reward inside.

Why Kongs are valuable:

• Reduce boredom when you are busy

• Slow down puppies who eat too quickly

• Make crate training easier

• Encourage focus during noisy household activity

Filling ideas:

• Wet puppy food

• Mashed sweet potato

• Canned pumpkin mixed with training treats

• Banana or cottage cheese in small amounts

• Kibble layered with xylitol-free peanut butter

Start simple. For young puppies, keep fillings soft and easy to reach. As they grow, increase difficulty by freezing or layering textures.

Choosing Safe Chews for Puppies

Not all chews are equal. Puppies' teeth and gums are softer than those of adults, making hard chews risky. Safe options are those designed specifically for puppies, digestible, and the right size.

Good options include:

• Frozen carrots

• Soft collagen chews or lamb ears

• Dehydrated sweet potato strips

• Puppy-sized bully sticks

• Stuffed raw bones from trusted sources, always with supervision

Avoid: Hard antlers, cooked bones, rawhide, and hooves. These can cause cracked teeth, choking, or digestive blockages.

Always supervise chewing sessions, especially with natural chews. Replace items before they become small enough to swallow.

When and How to Offer Enrichment

Lick mats, Kongs, and chews are most effective when used as part of a planned routine, not just when problems arise.

Offer them:

• After walks or playtime to help your puppy transition into calmness

• During crate time to build positive associations

• While you prepare meals or work, giving them independence

• At mealtime to slow fast eaters

• After guests leave or following overstimulating events

Rotate options to keep them interesting. A frozen carrot one day and a stuffed Kong the next keeps anticipation high.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Puppy chews the lick mat itself: Offer softer fillings and supervise closely. If they continue, redirect to a chew toy after the food is gone.

• Gets frustrated with a frozen Kong: Start with easy fillings at room temperature, then gradually freeze as they gain skill.

• Becomes overexcited: Wait until your puppy is calm before presenting the tool. These should teach relaxation, not overstimulation.

• Guarding the chew: Practice gentle trade games and reinforce calm behavior around hands.

  
  

Supporting Emotional Regulation and Focus

These tools are not just distractions. They actively shape how a puppy learns to manage excitement. A puppy who chews or licks to relax is learning lifelong skills: how to calm down, how to focus, and how to wait.

Puppies with consistent enrichment often:

• Transition more easily from activity to rest

• Greet people politely instead of jumping

• Pay better attention in training sessions

• Show confidence when exploring new environments

Cleaning and Safety Tips

A safe enrichment tool is a clean one.

• Wash lick mats and Kongs thoroughly after each use

• Check for leftover food in corners or crevices

• Follow manufacturer care instructions, many are dishwasher safe

• Store natural chews in a dry place

• Replace worn or frayed items promptly

Creating a Calm Down Routine

Many puppies struggle to switch from play to rest. A predictable calm down routine helps them learn this skill.

Example routine:

1. End playtime with slower, calmer interactions

2. Guide your puppy to their calm space or crate

3. Offer a frozen lick mat or Kong

4. Sit nearby with quiet activity while they settle

Over time, the routine itself becomes a signal to relax.

Matching Enrichment to Age and Energy

• 8 to 12 weeks: Soft fillings, short sessions

• 3 to 5 months: Introduce frozen options and longer play

• 6 months and older: Rotate multiple tools throughout the day

• High-energy breeds: Use enrichment several times daily

If frustration appears, simplify. If boredom shows, increase the challenge.

Teaching Puppies to Work for Meals

Replacing the bowl with enrichment tools can turn meals into training.

Ideas:

• Divide meals into multiple lick mat sessions

• Use a snuffle mat for part of the ration

• Train with a portion of the meal, then finish with a chew

• Offer a stuffed Kong while you prepare your own dinner

This teaches patience, builds focus, and makes meals interactive.

Final Thoughts

Lick mats, Kongs, and safe chews are not luxuries. They are tools that shape how your puppy learns to manage emotions, solve problems, and feel secure.

They teach life skills every dog needs:

• How to self-soothe

• How to focus on a task

• How to manage excitement without chaos

Used consistently, these enrichment tools create balance for both the puppy and the family. They provide calm for the household and confidence for the dog, building a foundation that lasts a lifetime.