Awoo Smorgasboard lick mat review — silicone slow feeder

Intro — why I picked up the Awoo Smorgasboard

I'm a gear nerd and full-time pet parent, and I keep a small fleet of lick mats and slow feeders in rotation for enrichment, grooming distractions, and hot-weather treats. The Awoo Smorgasboard landed on my radar because it blends a shallow "charcuterie board" look with deeper cavities and built-in suction cups — promising a more engaging challenge than the flatter silicone mats I already have.

In this review I dig into the specs, show what it feels like in daily use, highlight real-life pros and quirks I’ve seen in long-term use, and give a practical verdict on which dogs (and which situations) this mat actually helps. Everything I say about build, cleaning, fit, and longevity is tied to the product listing and long-term owner experience notes I’ve collected.

What it is — first look and key facts

The Awoo Smorgasboard is an 8 x 9.5 x 0.85-inch silicone lick mat and slow feeder built for dogs of multiple sizes. The listing lists the material as food-grade silicone and calls out BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and plastic-free construction. It includes suction cups for mounting to smooth surfaces, is dishwasher safe, and the manufacturer says it can be used in the freezer or microwave for treat prep.

At-a-glance specs

• Dimensions: 8" x 9.5" x 0.85"
• Weight: 11.36 ounces (unit weight from listing)
• Material: food-grade silicone (listing states BPA-, PVC-, phthalate- and plastic-free)
• Capacity: 1.5 cups
• Cleaning: dishwasher safe (per product care instructions)
• Suction cups / nonslip: built-in suction cups to mount on smooth surfaces
• Colors: Sage, Misty Blue, Toast (listed colorways)
• Suitable for dog sizes: Small, Medium, Large (as listed)

In daily use / hands-on testing

I approached the Smorgasboard with three main use cases in mind: (1) mealtime slow-feeding/enrichment, (2) bath- and grooming-time distraction, and (3) frozen summer treats. My conclusions come from combining the product facts with multiple long-term owner experiences: the mat's cavity depth and suction behavior are consistent themes.

Slow-feeding and enrichment

The Smorgasboard’s defining feature is a mix of deep and shallow textured cavities. In long-term use, those deeper wells are consistently the reason this mat slows licks and stretches treat time. Wet foods, canned food, and thick spreads tuck well into the deeper pockets, and frozen fills keep dogs occupied even longer.

• What worked best: packing wet food or frozen mixes into the deep cavities very noticeably extended licking time; this is where the 1.5-cup capacity and deeper cutouts shine.
• What didn’t: for daily kibble as a primary bowl, owners commonly find the mat too shallow to hold a large dog’s entire meal without spillage — it’s better used as an enrichment add-on or treat station than a primary dinner bowl for big eaters.

Bath- and grooming-time distraction

The suction cups are one of the mat’s most practical features for grooming. Multiple long-term experiences show it sticks well to tubs, shower walls, and smooth counters. Pressed to a tub wall and loaded with a favorite smear (peanut butter, canned food), it keeps many dogs engaged while you work on nails, paws, or quick bath areas.

• Real-world nuance: some dogs still shift and wriggle — the mat helps but is not a total solution for every dog or every grooming task. A handful of dogs found creative positions and continued to lean on the tub while licking, which reduced how much you can access certain body areas.
• Handling suction: the suction can be strong enough that lifting the mat can splash or fling food if you peel it off aggressively. Setting one edge partially over a sink lip or depressing less suction when filling makes removal easier.

Freezing and treat variety

The listing states the mat is safe to use in the freezer and microwave. Owners frequently freeze fruit, broth, or layered mixes to make frozies that keep dogs entertained. The varied cavity depths work well for mixing different textures—fruit in one pocket, a tiny smear of peanut butter in another, and a dab of wet food elsewhere.

• Pro tip from owners: freezing the filled mat before handing it to a dog stretches the engagement time dramatically versus room-temperature spreads.

Materials & build quality

The listing clearly states food-grade silicone and spells out that the mat is BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and plastic-free. That’s an attractive callout for pet parents who avoid plastics in feeding gear.

How it feels and cleans

• Thickness and durability: owner feedback repeatedly describes the silicone as thick, sturdy, and well-made. The mat flexes but holds its shape under packing and licking.
• Cleaning: the mat is dishwasher safe. In long-term use, owners report it rinses easily by hand and comes out on the dishwasher’s second shelf with no staining or lingering odors.
• Small pockets require an extra moment when hand-washing, but the dishwasher solves most of that friction.

Design choices that matter

• Mixed-depth pattern: the mix of deep cavities and shallow textures provides varying difficulty and enrichment, which is helpful for dogs with different licking instincts and dietary constraints.
• Suction cup placement: the cups keep the mat from sliding when pressed to smooth surfaces — a practical choice for bath-time use and for enthusiastic lickers on tile or laminate floors.
• Size and portability: at roughly the size of a salad plate (8 x 9.5 inches), it’s easy to store and light enough to move around the house.

Safety considerations

Safety is a primary reason to pick silicone over cheap plastics. The product listing emphasizes food-grade silicone and the absence of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. That addresses the usual chemical concerns for feeding surfaces.

Choking and material hazards

• Material safety: food-grade silicone and the listed free-of claims reduce worries about toxic leaching from warm or frozen foods.
• Choking risk: the mat is a lick-and-scoot surface, not a chew toy. The listing and owner notes do not position it for heavy chewers; if a pet is a persistent chewer, supervision is wise because the mat is flexible silicone, not a heavy-duty chew product.

Suction and escape risk

• Suction strength: the suction cups hold strongly to smooth surfaces, which is great for stabilizing the mat but means you should peel it off carefully to avoid splashing food. Owners described instances where suction was so firm that some food splattered during removal.
• Mounting surfaces: only mount to smooth, non-porous surfaces (tile, tub walls, some counters). The suction won’t work on textured tile, grout, or porous stone.

Use around grooming and baths

• Grooming aid: it’s a sensible distraction for many dogs during grooming or baths, but it isn’t a universal fix. Several dogs still wiggle or lean while licking, so don’t assume it replaces secure handling for anxious or physically strong dogs during bath time.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Based on the product specs and long-term owner experiences, the Smorgasboard fits certain use cases much better than others.

Who should strongly consider the Smorgasboard

• Dog parents who want a compact enrichment mat for wet food, canned food, or spreads.
• Owners who like to freeze treats — the mat’s freezer-safe claim and deep cavities make it a good candidate for frozen frozies.
• Anyone who wants a grooming/bath distraction that mounts to smooth tub walls or counters — suction cups are consistently praised for holding well.
• Households with small to medium dogs or large dogs that will use the mat as an add-on treat/enrichment mat rather than a primary dinner bowl.
• Pet parents who prioritize silicone and want a BPA/PVC/phthalate-free feeding surface.

Who should skip or be cautious

• If you plan to use a single dish to hold a large dog’s full daily kibble meal, this mat may not be deep enough and can create a mess — owners describe it working better as an enrichment or treat tray, not a full-size bowl for big eaters.
• If your dog chews aggressively at silicone items, don’t leave them unsupervised with the mat. The listing doesn’t market it as a chew toy, and owner notes focus on licking rather than chewing.
• If you need a suction solution for textured tile or porous surfaces, be aware the cups only work on smooth surfaces; the listing implies and owners confirm best results on tubs, sinks, and smooth floors.

Durability & longevity — what to expect after months of use

The owner experience notes repeatedly describe the mat as holding up well over time: thick-feeling silicone, no staining, and repeated dishwasher cycles without breakdown. That gives me confidence the Smorgasboard will survive regular rotation as an enrichment tool.

• Long-term strengths: owners report it remains flexible and intact after repeated use, freezer cycles, and dishwashing. The silicone doesn’t hold odors in the same way some plastics do.
• Longevity caveats: the mat is not a chew-proof product. If your dog starts gnawing persistently at a mat, that behavior — not the mat’s inherent weakness — is the main risk to its longevity.

Value & comparisons

The Smorgasboard is a feature-rich lick mat: mixed depths, reliable suction, and food-safe silicone that’s dishwasher-safe and freezer- and microwave-friendly. Taken together, those features make it much more versatile than the simplest flat mats, especially for owners who want the tub-wall suction trick and the ability to freeze treats.

If you already own a shallow-textured silicone mat, the Smorgasboard brings deeper wells and a charcuterie-style layout that many dogs find more engaging. If you need a heavy-duty slow feeder that holds a full adult large-dog meal daily, you’ll want to combine this with a dedicated slow-feeder bowl instead of relying on it as your primary dish.

Verdict — my take as The Pet Dude

For enrichment, grooming distractions, and frozen treats, the Awoo Smorgasboard is an excellent, well-made option. The food-grade silicone construction and the no-BPA/PVC/phthalate claims line up with what I look for in long-term, washable feeding gear. The suction cups are genuinely useful and work as advertised on smooth surfaces, which makes this mat a versatile tool for bath-time and counter-based prep.

It’s not a panacea — it won’t stop every anxious dog from moving during a bath, and it isn’t intended as a chew toy or the single daily bowl for a large-breed dog who eats many cups of kibble. Owners consistently say it’s best used for enrichment, treats, or to supplement mealtime rather than replace a heavy-duty slow-feeder bowl.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Do you need a lick mat for wet food, spreads, or frozen treats? Good fit.
• Do you plan to use it on a tub wall or smooth surface? Suction cups are designed for that and perform well.
• Is your dog an aggressive chewer? Avoid unsupervised access — this is a licking/enrichment surface, not a chew toy.
• Do you want a primary bowl for a large dog’s full meal? This mat’s depth and 1.5-cup capacity mean it’s better as a supplemental feeder or treat mat for large dogs.
• Do you have a dishwasher and like the convenience of dishwasher-safe gear? This mat is listed as dishwasher safe and rinses clean easily in long-term use.

Colors available

The listing shows multiple colorways. Available colors may include:

• Sage
• Misty Blue
• Toast

Final thoughts

If you want a versatile lick mat that doubles as a grooming distraction and freezer-ready treat tray, the Awoo Smorgasboard is a thoughtful pick. Food-safe silicone, strong suction, and a mix of deep and shallow cavities make it more engaging than a basic flat mat. Just be clear on the role you want it to play: enrichment and bath-time distraction are its sweet spots; full-meal feeding for very large dogs is not.

Check before use

• Only mount to smooth, non-porous surfaces for reliable suction.
• Peel the mat off carefully to avoid splashing or food fling from strong suction.
• Supervise if your dog chews silicone; the mat is built for licking and enrichment, not chewing.
• Use the dishwasher for easy cleaning if you have one; hand-washing requires a bit more attention to the smaller pockets.