This one thing is a game-changer for messy pets
A quick-drying mat that absorbs water bowl spills? Genius.
Credit:
Soggy Doggy
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Whether you’ve got a new pup or your four-legged friend has been living with you for years, there are certain pet products that every dog owner needs to make life easier. For me, it’s the Soggy Doggy Slopmat Microfiber Placemat.
I purchased my first Soggy Doggy Slopmat after becoming a dog mom to a pair of slobbery English bulldogs seven years ago. It didn’t take long for me to learn that English bulldogs are incredibly messy drinkers thanks to their big, droopy jowls that drip like a wet rag after slurping up water. And, not to mention, a large tongue that sludges water from side-to-side, pushing it over the water bowl’s exterior rim and onto the floor.
In search of a way to manage the watery mess, I stumbled upon the Soggy Doggy Slopmat—and it’s been the answer to my doggy dribble prayers.
What is the Soggy Doggy Slopmat?
The mat is made from microfiber chenille and has a no-slip backing.
The Soggy Doggy Placemat is made from "millions of textured, ultra-fine strands" of microfiber chenille—a material that's known for its high absorbency. It’s similar to a shag rug but without all of the excess fuzz. Soggy Doggy says that its slopmat can absorb "five times more water than regular placemats.” There’s also a no-slip backing to keep the mat from sliding around, and the mat’s quick-drying materials help keep odor and bacteria at bay.
The slopmat comes in four neutral color options: grey, dark chocolate, navy, caramel brown, and beige. I went with beige since it blends right in with my light-colored, wood-look tile floors. As for size, the mat measures 18-inches tall by 24-inches wide, making it an ideal area to place water bowls both big and small.
What we like
Not only is the mat great at absorbing water bowls spills, but it also excels at containing mealtime messes.
Longevity
Since 2013, I’ve purchased two additional slopmat’s for a total of three, because one isn’t enough for a multi-dog household. All three have held up nicely throughout years of washing.
Sadly, I’m down to just one bulldog now, but my Soggy Doggy mats still get plenty of use—and I still have my OG mat from seven years ago in rotation.
Although my oldest slopmat is showing small signs of general wear and tear, there’s nothing majorly noticeable in terms of appearance or quality after all of these years. It’s still as absorbent as it was on Day 1, and it still stays in place (most of the time).
Easy to care for
These mats are machine washable and can be tossed in the dryer on low heat with a load of towels or sheets. I use one slopmat in the kitchen underneath my dog’s main water bowl and another in my daughter’s room, where our bulldog, Bacon, sleeps every night. The third mat gets stored in my hall closet as a backup.
Absorbency
The slopmat claims to absorb five times more liquid than your average mat, and while I haven’t scientifically tested this, I can confidently tell you that it holds a lot of water. You see, my toddler son frequently dumps the dog’s very full bowl of water onto the slopmat. While I look forward to the age when he outgrows finding pleasure in overturning the bowl, I’m always amazed by the Soggy Doggy slopmat’s sponge-like ability to keep it all contained.
Multiple uses
While the slopmat is intended for pets to use, I’ve also used it to sop up messes in a pinch. It doubles nicely as a bath mat, too, for the times when my usual bath rug is in the wash.
What we don’t like
Not waterproof
Despite its supreme absorbency, the Soggy Doggy slopmat is not waterproof. If your mat takes on any large amounts of liquid, you’ll need to hang it over a patio chair to air dry or toss it in the dryer. Smaller messes, like splashes from lapping up water or post-drink water drools, will absorb with no problem.
Grip could be stronger
Like most small mats and rugs, the slopmat has a no-skid backing but it could benefit from a stronger grip. For the most part, this isn’t a huge issue since the dog bowl sits on top of the mat, keeping it in one spot. Throughout the course of the day, the edges of the mat flip up and get shoved around (which drives my Type A brain bananas). It would be nice if the slopmat had a thicker, sturdier underside (with added grip) to prevent this from happening.
Is it worth it?
Overall, the sloptmat is effective at managing the mess my dog leaves behind after drinking and eating.
The Soggy Doggy Slopmat is a great way to manage your pooch’s unruly drinking habits. These mats have saved me from using oodles of paper towels to wipe up messes left behind on the floor or previous plastic mats. Plus, the mats are easy to wash, last for years, and are effective at absorbing water. My best advice is to pick up a few extra mats depending on how many dogs live in your household, so you’re always prepared for the next mess.