Last Updated on June 13, 2024 by Dogster Team
While we all love our furry pets, every pet parent knows that when dogs eat and drink, they tend to get food and water all over your lovely clean kitchen floor. Luckily, dog food mats stop that from happening and keep the mess on the mat where it belongs. Wet Tissue Wipes For Face
However, as with any other product on the market today, dog food mats come in different brands, shapes, sizes, and price points. In this list, we have reviews of our top 10 picks for the best dog food mats, and a buying guide at the end of the list to help you determine which one is the right choice for your furry friend.
We think that the Petfusion Premium Silicone Mat is the best choice overall because of its flexible, non-toxic material. The FDA silicone design is made to keep your floor free of dog food and water; as we all know, pets are messy eaters.
The gripper dot non-slip pattern keeps the mat and your dog’s food and water from sliding all over the place during eating. The flexible material can be folded over or rolled up so that you can easily store it.
It’s also non-toxic and BPA-free, making it safe for your home, pets, and family. The mat comes in three sizes: small, large, and extra-large. The only drawback we saw to this mat is that it doesn’t sit flush against the wall since the design is curved, making it easy for food to get trapped between the mat and the wall.
The Petrageous Designs Paws Tapestry Placemat is the best dog food mat for the money for its affordability and the non-skid rubber backing. It can be thrown in the washing machine, and you can also wipe it clean with ease as well.
The fibers are color-fast, and you don’t have to worry about the mat skidding across the floor as your dog eats. You can order it in regular or jumbo sizes, but the only drawbacks we saw are that it isn’t absorbent, and the fabric could stain easily since it’s made of polyester and cotton. All in all, however, this is the perfect mat for those who are on a budget.
Our premium choice goes to Barksbar Original Silicone Dog Feeding mat for its odor and stain resistance. Since it’s made from silicone and plastic, this mat is not only non-toxic and BPA-free but hypoallergenic. It adds one more layer of protection for your home, your family, and your pet.
The mat is odor and stain-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and comes in 11 different colors. It’s available in two sizes and can hold two bowls. It also comes with gripper dots and a raised edge to keep the dish from sliding or food and water from spilling over onto the floor.
The mat does tend to crease, making it aggravating to use at times, according to some pet owners.
At number four on our list is the Amazon Basics Waterproof Anti-Slip Silicone Pet Food and Water Bowl Mat. This is an affordable mat that features a non-slip surface with anti-spill edges. The mat also comes with a one-year limited warranty, which is one of the only mats on our list that does. It is soft, flexible, and perfect for a small bowl to fit on. However, since the mat is soft and flexible, it’s not the best choice for a dog that likes to chew.
The Loving Pets Bella Bone Dog Bowl Mat is a fun mat shaped like a bone. It’s perfect for medium-sized bowls and is made of durable plastic. It also features a non-slip surface and high edges to keep the food on the mat and off the floor where it belongs. The design is cute, but since it’s plastic, it’s also not dishwasher safe. The large mat can hold two bowls, which makes it an excellent option for medium-sized pets.
If you’re looking for a spill-proof option that will stand up to the abuse of your family dog, then this is the best mat for you, in our opinion.
Mr. Peanuts Pet Food Mat is made of food-grade silicone and plastic and is the perfect solution for catching any food-related mess with its raised edges. Made of leak-proof polymer, it can also be rolled easily for storage and is able to stand up to chewing pets. The mat is also waterproof, comes in medium or large, and is available in your choice of indigo blue and grey as color options.
It is thin, which makes it hard to hold when you need to dump the food out of it, and it’s a sticky mat, which means fur and dirt stick to it easily, according to many users.
JW Pet Stay in Place Mat features a skid-proof technology that keeps it from sliding everywhere while your dog eats. It has rubber edges to contain food and water and is an affordable option for those on a budget. The mat is made of rubber and is washable.
The raised bumps on the mat keep your dog’s bowls in place, and the silicone rubber makes it easy to wipe and go, even if the food has been dried onto the mat over a day. The drawbacks of this mat include it being easy for a dog to chew through, the fact that it cannot lay completely flat, and that it only comes in one color.
The number eight spot on our list goes to Pet Parade Non-Skid Dog Bowl Tray. This is a non-slip tray that is BPA-free. It can hold two 8.5-inch dishes and even features a trench that you can put water in to keep pests out of your dog’s food. It’s waterproof, has a high protective wall, and the plastic makes it durable and dishwasher safe.
The stickers on the tray don’t come off, and it’s not as durable as some of the mats on our list. It’s also been reported that the front wall is too short, allowing food and water to spill over onto the floor.
The Upsky Dog Food Mat is an affordable option for anyone on a budget. It’s non-toxic, making it safe for you and your pets and easy to clean. The anti-slip bone-shaped tray has raised edges, so food stays on the mat where it belongs.
However, the mat has been reported as thin, flimsy, and having lower edges than advertised by pet owners. Some pet parents also reported that hair and dirt stick to the tray too easily. However, for its affordability, this isn’t a bad option, which is why it landed at number nine on our list.
Last but not least is the AquaShield Dow Bowl Wave Pet Feeder Mat. This durable, non-slip option works well for holding those large bowls some animals love to eat and drink out of. The mat also absorbs the water pets spill when drinking.
However, it has no raised edges to capture food, attracts hair and dirt, and isn’t flexible. In addition, some pet parents have reported it as having a strong rubbery smell and that it’s hard to clean.
Now that you have examined our picks for the best ten dog food mats, you should know what to look for in the mat you’re considering purchasing. We’ll give you a few tips in the next section.
The size mat you choose will depend greatly on the size of your dog. For example, if you have a large Pitbull puppy that eats like it’s going out of style, you won’t want to put its food bowl on a mat that your Boston Terrier’s bowl is on.
Measuring your dog will help you choose whether to order a small, medium, large, or extra-large mat for your dog’s water and food bowl.
As you’ve seen from our list, mats are made from different materials. You need a mat that’s made of BPA-free materials and is non-toxic. The most popular are waterproof mats made of plastic, rubber, or silicone. The material should be easy to clean and chew-resistant because we all know dogs love to chew.
It goes without saying that a dog food mat should be able to withstand a destructive dog or teething puppy. There are many options on our list that are durable, and you don’t want a flimsy mat or one that will slide all over the floor while your pet is trying to eat. Instead, look for a non-slip mat with raised edges for the best results.
A waterproof mat is essential to protect your floors from mildew and mold buildup. However, it’s important to note that a waterproof mat and a water-resistant mat are not the same things. A water-resistant mat doesn’t contain the water in the same way.
These are just a few things you should look for when it comes to finding the best dog food mat for your dog, whether it’s a small, medium, or large breed dog. Remember, durable, waterproof, and toxin-free are vital to keeping your dog safe and its food contained at the same time.
Our overall pick for the best dog food mat is the Petfusion Premium Silicone Dog Food Mat for its flexible, non-toxic material. The Petrageous Designs Paws Tapestry Placemat is the best dog food mat for the money for its affordability and the non-skid rubber backing. Our premium choice goes to Barksbar Original Silicone Dog Feeding mat for its odor and stain resistance. We hope this guide will help you find the perfect mat to keep your dog happy and your kitchen mess-free.
Featured Image Credit: Martin Christopher Parker, Shutterstock
Disposable Wipes For Adults Patricia is an experienced pet writer and lifelong animal lover. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her pets, cats Binx and Link and dog Mystery. Mystery and Link have been with her since birth. Binx was found under her house as a kitten and promptly welcomed into the family. Patricia enjoys volunteering at her local rescue shelter and sharing her extensive knowledge of pets.