Brightkins Circle Slow Feeder & Lick Mat Review

Intro

I'm The Pet Dude, and I try to keep meal- and enrichment gear simple, safe, and useful. The Brightkins Circle Slow Feeder and Lick Mat is one of those products that tries to do two jobs at once: a slow-feeding bowl and a removable lick mat for softer foods and treats. The seller positions it as an interactive training and enrichment tool; the listing calls it a 2-in-1 puzzle that holds two cups of kibble on one side while the other side works as a lick mat. In this review I walk through what it is, how it performs in everyday use, how it's built, safety considerations, who I think it fits (and who should skip it), and a checklist of things to confirm before you buy.

What it is / first look

Out of the box, the Brightkins Circle Slow Feeder and Lick Mat is a compact, low-profile silicone feeding puzzle. The listing gives exact product dimensions of 8.46 x 8.46 x 1.77 inches and a listed weight of 14.82 ounces, and states the capacity as 2 cups. The set includes two pieces: the slow-feeder bowl and a removable silicone lick mat. The manufacturer lists the material type as silicone and specifically says the lick mats are made from durable, food-safe silicone and that the product is BPA-free.

Branding and model details from the listing: Brightkins, model number LER9445. The listing also calls out the product as an interactive, slow-feeding, mental-stimulation tool and recommends it for training. It’s marketed for dogs of all sizes and life stages in the standard product fields.

Colors I saw

• multicolor
• blue (the listing and owner notes reference a blue side)

The product color on the listing is shown as “multicolor,” and internal notes explicitly reference a blue side on the unit, so expect at least that color option. If exact color or pattern matters to you, confirm the current color options on the product page before ordering.

In daily use

The Brightkins Circle combines two feeding modes. One side functions as a shallow slow-feeder bowl with ridges/gaps for kibble, and the other side is a removable lick mat for wet food, soft treats, or spreadable toppers. The manufacturer copy highlights that you can place up to 2 cups of kibble in the compartment and spread wet food on the lick mat. The removable mat is called out as ready for on-the-go puzzling, and the listing says it’s safe for freezer use and dishwasher cleaning.

From hands-on impressions reflected in owner notes: the toy works well to make meals take longer as long as you don’t overfill it, and many dogs seem to enjoy the engagement. The product’s low profile and circular shape kept it stable in many setups; one owner specifically noted it “doesn’t slide around at all.”

How it fits portioning and meal prep

If you follow the listing’s capacity spec, the slow-feeder side is sized to hold up to 2 cups of kibble total. Note that some owners reported the ridged or covered side — the “blue side” one owner referenced — holds about a cup of kibble if you also add wet food or dressing, so practical capacity can shrink depending on how you use the two sides together. The bowl’s 8.46" diameter and 1.77" height give it a shallow profile; that helps for licking and spreading toppers but means very large kibble piles will stick up.

Mental enrichment and time-savings

Brightkins highlights mental stimulation as a core benefit and even lists a specific claim: “Just 20 minutes of sniffing gives your dog the same mental stimulation as a one-hour walk!” That claim appears in the product bullet points. In day-to-day use, owners reported it does engage dogs’ noses and keep them occupied, though how challenging it is depends on the dog—some smaller or more food-motivated dogs breeze through it faster than heavier chewers or puzzle-focused pups.

Materials & build quality

The listing states the product is made of silicone and explicitly calls the lick mat “durable, food-safe silicone” and “BPA-free.” The manufacturer also markets the mat as safe for both the freezer and dishwasher, which is useful for prepping frozen treat puzzles and for cleanup.

Owners’ notes echoed those material claims: multiple people described the feeder as “durable” and “well made,” and one called it noticeably better quality than other slow feeders they’d tried. Users also said it was easy to clean—consistent with the listing saying it’s dishwasher-safe.

Construction details the listing provides: this is a two-piece set (feeder + removable lick mat) and the whole product is manual operation (no electronics). The interior geometry is designed to create a multi-level snack challenge; exact ridge depth and spacing aren’t listed beyond the supplied product photos and the functional description.

Safety considerations

The product listing makes several safety-forward claims: it is made from BPA-free, food-safe materials and is safe for the freezer and dishwasher. Those are helpful flags for parents who like to freeze spreadable treats or who put dishes through the dishwasher.

Because the listing does not provide a formal chew-resistance rating or an explicit “for non-chewers only” warning, I recommend supervising heavy chewers when they first use a silicone lick mat. The listing describes the silicone as durable and designed for years of use, and owners reported positive durability impressions, but the listing does not specify any age- or chew-strength limits. If your dog is prone to ripping or shredding soft toys, the listing doesn't specify additional chewtough features—so keep an eye on the mat and retire it if you see significant tearing.

Other safety notes pulled from the listing and owner feedback:

• The manufacturer states the product helps slow down fast eaters to promote gut health and reduce bloat risk—slowing food intake is a recognized behavior goal in mealtime enrichment.
• The listing recommends the product for training and mental stimulation; it does not make medical claims or give dosing or feeding guidance.
• Because the set contains a removable mat, check it each use for loose bits or damage; the listing confirms Brightkins can attempt to source replacement parts if a component is lost or broken, but availability is not guaranteed.

Who this is for / who should skip

The listing marks this feeder as suitable for “all” dog breeds and recommends it for training, enrichment, and slowing down fast eaters. In practice, from the combined product specs and owner feedback, I see distinct use-cases:

Best for

• Small to medium dogs that need a slow-feeding challenge. Several owners labeled it “best for medium to small dogs” and praised the stability and engagement factor.
• Dogs who enjoy licking activities and puzzle work: the removable lick mat makes it easy to spread wet food, yoghurt-style toppers, or pasteable treats and then freeze for a longer session; the listing explicitly says the mat is freezer-safe.
• Owners who want an easy-clean option: the listing says the lick mat is dishwasher-safe, and owners noted easy cleanup.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Very large breeds or dogs that need big single portions: while the manufacturer lists the capacity as 2 cups and calls the product suitable for all breeds, owners reported the practical volume of certain segments (the blue side) is closer to about 1 cup when using both sides together—so for big eaters you may need to portion across multiple feedings or pick a larger slow feeder.
• Power chewers that quickly destroy soft silicone items: the listing calls the silicone durable and food-safe, and owners praised build quality, but because the listing doesn’t list chew-strength ratings I’d supervise heavy chewers until you’re confident it’s safe for your dog.
• Households that need replacement parts immediately: the listing notes Brightkins isn’t able to stock replacements for every component but will try to find the specific part if you submit a request—so replacement availability is not guaranteed.

Verdict

I like the Brightkins Circle Slow Feeder and Lick Mat for what it sets out to do. The product combines a shallow slow-feeder bowl with a removable lick mat and is made from food-safe, BPA-free silicone that the listing says is dishwasher- and freezer-safe. The combination can slow fast eaters, add mental enrichment, and give you a freezer-safe lick mat for longer puzzle sessions. Owner impressions in the research notes back up the listing’s claims about durability, stability, and engagement for many dogs.

Realistically, this is a compact, budget-friendly to mid-range piece of gear best suited to small and medium dogs or as a supplemental puzzle for larger dogs. The listed capacity of 2 cups is useful for portion control, but owners’ practical experiences indicate one side can feel a little small if you’re trying to add big portions plus a topper at once.

Pros (what I liked)

• Two-in-one design: slow-feeder plus removable lick mat so you can use dry kibble and spreadable toppers at the same time.
• Food-safe silicone and BPA-free material called out in the listing; dishwasher- and freezer-safe per the product copy.
• Compact form factor (8.46" diameter x 1.77" height) and a low profile that’s stable and easy to store.
• Owners noted it’s durable and doesn’t slide around.

Cons (what to watch for)

• Real-world capacity can feel smaller than “2 cups” when you combine wet and dry food; an owner noted the blue side holds about a cup if you’re also dressing it up.
• No explicit chew-resistance rating listed—supervise heavy chewers until you’re comfortable with the product’s durability for your dog.
• Replacement parts aren’t guaranteed; Brightkins says they’ll try to source missing pieces but can’t stock every component.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the current color option if color/pattern matters; the listing shows multicolor and at least one owner referenced a blue side.
• Decide whether 2 cups total capacity fits your dog’s typical portion—practical holding on one side may be closer to about 1 cup if you also use the lick-mat side.
• If your dog is a powerful chewer, plan to supervise initial uses and inspect the silicone regularly, since the listing doesn’t provide a chew-strength rating.
• If you’re counting on quick replacement parts, remember the listing says replacements aren’t guaranteed though Brightkins will try to help if you submit a request.

Overall, this is a well-priced, well-made two-piece enrichment tool that does the job for small- and medium-sized dogs and many picky eaters. If you want an easy-to-clean, freezer-safe lick mat plus a shallow slow-feeder in one compact device, this one is worth considering.

FAQ

1. Q: What comes in the box?

   A: The listing states the set includes two pieces: a slow feeder and a removable lick mat.

2. Q: How much food does it hold?

   A: The product specification lists capacity as 2 cups. Internal notes indicate that when you use both sides (kibble plus wet topping), the practical holding on one side—referred to as the “blue side” in notes—may be closer to about 1 cup.

3. Q: Is it dishwasher- and freezer-safe?

   A: Yes. The listing specifically calls the removable silicone lick mat safe for the freezer and dishwasher.

4. Q: Is the material food-safe?

   A: The listing states the lick mat is made from durable, food-safe silicone and that the product is BPA-free.

5. Q: Will it work for my large-breed dog (like a Boxer or Labrador)?

   A: The product fields list dog breed size as “All,” but owner notes say the feeder is “a little on the small side for our boxers” and that the blue side holds about a cup of kibble in practice. If you have a very large or high-volume eater, you may find you need a larger slow feeder or two sessions.

6. Q: What if a part breaks or gets lost?

   A: The listing says Brightkins isn’t able to stock replacements for every component, but they will attempt to find the part or piece that makes the toy whole again if you submit a request. Availability isn’t guaranteed.