- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Snuffle mats may have a funny name, but they can have a lot of benefits for your dog! These interactive mats incorporate different elements for dogs to “snuffle” in and explore.
Their designs range from basic to complex. More complicated snuffle mats usually have multiple pockets, flaps, and folds to hide treats and keep your dog entertained.
Since launching around 10 years ago, they’ve become a portable, easy option for guardians looking for something different for their dogs, according to Caroline Wilkinson, a certified animal behaviorist, registered training instructor, and founder of digital pet coaching service Barket Place.
Read on to discover how your dog may benefit from a snuffle mat, key considerations when using them, and our top product picks.
Benefits of a Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats help stimulate a dog’s brain and engage their natural instincts.
In short, they provide an outlet for dogs to use their noses and mimic scavenging for food, says Renee Rhoades, applied animal behaviorist and founder of R+Dogs. Rhoades adds that these natural behaviors are important for a dog’s mental health and overall well-being.
In the chart below, you’ll find some other key benefits of snuffle mats, plus which dogs might benefit most, according to Joe Nutkins, a Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer and canine behaviorist.
| Key benefits | Explanation | Suitable for |
| Mental enrichment and stimulation | Scentwork helps keep a dog’s brain active and provides a rewarding challenge. |
|
| Burning energy | Sniff exploration can help tire dogs out mentally. |
|
| Slows down eating | Snuffle mats encourage dogs to take their time with food as they explore, which can reduce the risk of choking. |
|
| Encourages foraging and engages sense of smell | Snuffle mats can help dogs slow down and process information. This makes a good alternative to foraging when it’s too hot or wet for long walks. |
|
| Behavior redirection | Sniffing can help promote a sense of calm, which can distract dogs from behaviors like excited or protective jumping when you have visitors over. |
|
| Appetite stimulation | Snuffle mats can make meals more fun and exciting by encouraging dogs to use natural skills and instincts. |
|
| Reduces stress | Sniffing can help release endorphins, encouraging feelings of happiness and relaxation. |
|
Potential risks
Snuffle mats can do a lot of good for dogs, but they do come with a few downsides.
- Safety concerns: There’s no such thing as an indestructible snuffle mat, and many come with smaller pieces of fabric that most dogs can rip off with enough effort. Wilkinson says dogs can swallow the material, which can lead to choking or issues that lead to surgery. Always watch your dog when they’re enjoying their snuffle mat and safely store it away when not in use.
- Hygiene: “When your dog is sniffing and licking the fabric regularly, they’re leaving a wet, warm area of saliva which will be great for germs to spread on,” Wilkinson says.
Best Ways To Use a Snuffle Mat
If you want to help your dog get the most out of their snuffle mat, Rhoades offers seven simple tips:
- Supervise your dog to make sure they don’t swallow any of the pieces. This is important for any toys.
- Teach your dog how to use it and make sure it’s not too difficult to find the treat, since this can leave them frustrated with the activity.
- A snuffle mat can replace your dog’s bowl sometimes, but don’t use it as the only way you feed them. Dogs shouldn’t have to work for all of their food! If you need to make sure your dog slows down their eating, you can also try a slow feeder bowl.
- Track how much food you use in the mat to make sure you’re not feeding your dog too much.
- Make sure to clean the mat regularly because they can grow harmful bacteria. The mat should come with cleaning instructions.
- Avoid using snuffle mats as a replacement for exercise. Mental stimulation is important, but it’s not the only form of enrichment. It’s important for dogs to have plenty of opportunities to move their bodies and use their brains.
- Make sure your dog is interested. You can tell your dog is enjoying using their snuffle mat if they get excited when it comes out!
Do Snuffle Mats Work for All Dogs?
Snuffle mats don’t work for every dog. Dogs of a certain personality or disposition might do better with a different enrichment toy or activity, Nutkins says, giving a few examples:
- Destructive dogs: A dog who easily tears items may find the destroying part more enjoyable than finding treats or food! Instead, try a more heavy-duty toys, such as a KONG Wobbler.
- Easily frustrated dogs: Dogs who become frustrated easily may not find snuffle mats fun, calming, or enriching. Instead, they may find them confusing and ignore them or destroy them. Instead, you might try a hide-and-seek game with their favorite toy.
- Resource-guarding dogs: If your dog tends to guard their food, snuffle mats can give them more reason to ramp up this behavior—especially since the food will be in the mat for longer than in their bowl. Trick training can be a good alternate to work their brain and reward them.
Even if your dog doesn’t fall into one of these categories, they may still not enjoy the snuffle mat. If your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy the activity, that’s OK! There are plenty of other ways to provide enrichment.
How To Choose the Right Snuffle Mat
The wide range of options can make it hard to know which mat to choose for your dog.
Wilkinson shares some key considerations and guidance for choosing a snuffle mat below:
- Durability: The more durable a snuffle mat, the harder time your dog will have damaging it. A more durable mat will also last longer through regular washing.
- Difficulty: Snuffle mats vary in difficulty, from simple strips of material to smaller pockets. It’s important to choose a mat that’s not too complex for your dog to prevent frustration. Keep in mind, too, that more intricately designed mats can also be trickier to keep clean.
- Size: Purchasing mats in different sizes can help keep your dog entertained in various scenarios. A smaller one can be better for road trips or a break during training, while larger mats provide a longer enrichment experience at home.
- Weight: Your dog will have a harder time dragging, overturning, or ripping a heavier, sturdier mat. Bigger, heavier mats will probably be better to use at home, though, since they’re harder to pack up and bring along.
- Material: Choosing a mat with a strong backing can help prevent damage during play. Anti-slip backing can also be a huge plus, since this keeps your dog from getting frustrated when the mat moves away each time they shove their nose in to investigate!
- Cleanability: It’s important to make sure you wash the mat each time you use wet or raw food. If you only use dry food or treats, you should still wash it every week or so to keep it clean and sanitary.
Oscar the Rover test pup snuffles happily
Best Snuffle Mats for Dogs
Our top snuffle mat picks can help you start your search for the best mat for your pup!
Best all-around: Stellaire Chern Snuffle Mat
This mat comes in two sizes, both with plenty of options for interaction—from ruffles for nose-diving to lift-up flaps for exploration. Many pet parents say it keeps their dogs entertained for 20 minutes or longer and is challenging enough for the smartest dogs.
Multiple reviewers also say it holds up against tougher jaws, while others say their dogs love the mat so much, it’s their new favorite nap spot!
Features:
- Size: 23.6” x 39.4,” 39.4” by 39.4”
- Non-slip backing
- Rollaway design for easy carrying and storage
- Made of soft polar fleece and upcycled materials
- Attractive design
Best for high-energy pups: AWOOF Snuffle Feeding Mat
This mat will help keep even the most energetic pups busy, thanks to four layers of fabric “petals” and surrounding rings of “grass”—plus smaller interactive elements, like bells, and plenty of space to hide treats. It comes with buckles so you can tie it to furniture and keep it from getting overturned by an excited dog!
Reviewers say its heavy-duty design holds up well, even to enthusiastic dogs. People also like that it offers different levels of difficulty.
Features:
- Size: 28” x 28”
- Designed with release buckles for attaching to furniture
- Made with thick, durable, non-toxic Oxford cloth and polar fleece
- Folds for easy portability and storage
- Can be machine washed (but hand washing recommended)
Best for anxious dogs: Rundik Snuffle Mat for Dogs
This mat has a simple design, but it’s still earned hundreds of positive reviews. Its deep, thick pile provides plenty of room for dogs to sink their noses in and snuffle for food. It comes in two different sizes, too!
Numerous pet parents comment on how well this mat helps calm and distract anxious dogs and reduce pacing behaviors. Many reviewers say their dog really enjoyed the mat. A few people did mention that the suction cups don’t work very well.
Features:
- Size: 17” x 21,” 20″ x 28″
- Attached suction cups help it stay put
- Made of chenille
- Easy to clean in the washing machine
Best for large dogs: AWOOF Large Interactive Snuffle Mat
With its generous size and multiple areas for exploring, this mat works well for larger dogs (or two smaller ones!). There are plenty of flaps and envelope-style pockets to hide your dog’s food, while squeaking and crinkly elements offer additional entertainment.
Pet parents praise the number of compartments, the mat’s durability, and the way you can fold it for easy storage when not in use.
Features:
- Size: 34.6” x 19.6”
- Made with Oxford cloth
- Folds up for easy storage and portability
- Ideal for both large chunks of food and smaller treats
Best for beginner snufflers: Outward Hound Activity Matz Garden Game Puzzle Mat
This playful mat has three main elements for dogs to explore and play with: a smaller area of folded “lettuce” and two deep pockets with an attached stuffed carrot and beet. Various closure options allow you to add elements of difficulty.
It’s not as complex as some other snuffle mats so may work best for younger dogs or those who find more complicated mats too frustrating. Pet parents say it works great for keeping puppies entertained.
Features:
- Size: 14” x 21.5”
- Three activities in one
- Non-slip base
- Rolls up for easy storage
- Buildable difficulty levels
Best for slow feeding: AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs
If your dog tends to inhale their food, this snuffle mat could help out at mealtime. You can lay it flat for general exploration or pull into a bowl shape to promote slower eating.
Pet parents say this mat helped extend treat time from seconds to over 10 minutes, but some say it’s not durable enough to last long for dogs who love to attack and chew their toys.
Features:
- Size: 18.8” in diameter when fully open
- Dual design with felt cloth fabric
- Non-slip base
- Hand washing recommended
Best for small spaces: Lambwolf Collective Monti Snuffle Ball
If you’re tight on space, this snuffle ball could be a good option. It’s designed with eight slots for hiding treats and eight stimulating crinkle papers and squeakers. It comes in a soft boucle fabric and two pastel color options.
Even though it comes in a smaller size than many other snuffle mats, it still offers plenty for your dog to dive into and enjoy. Reviewers love that it’s easy to wash and dry and say it gives dogs hours of mental stimulation and playtime fun.
Features:
- Size: 6” diameter
- Separates into 3 pieces for easy washing
- Multiple play and exploring options
- Made with toxin-free materials
- Not suitable for larger pieces of food
DIY Snuffle Mat
If you want to engage your creative side, you can also try making your own snuffle mat at home. If you don’t have fleece lying around, you can also use other fabric, like old T-shirts.
Supplies
- Scraps of fleece or other fabric, about ½ yard total
- Plastic square, like a sink mat
- Dog treats or kibble
Snuffle mat instructions
- Cut fabric into small 2” x 1” strips.
- Tie the fabric strips onto each hole of a square sink mat.
- Tie knots until all squares are covered.
- Sprinkle or hide dog treats or food on the mat.
- Ruffle the material to make sure the food stays inside.
Are the Benefits of Snuffle Mats Overrated?
Snuffle mats can be a fantastic enrichment tool to engage and entertain your dog. Keep in mind, though, that they’re just one of many options!
“I do feel that snuffle mats have become the king of enrichment suggestions,” Nutkins says. “Pretty much anywhere I see people asking for help with their dog, snuffle mats are suggested—no matter what the issue is. They won’t solve every problem.”
While some dogs will thrive with a snuffle mat, others may find them less engaging and enjoyable. For instance, some dogs might rather dig up toys in the yard, Nutkins says.
It’s also important to offer different types of enrichment that reflects your dog’s unique needs, according to Rhoades.
Other ideas to try include chew toys, puzzles, lick mats, along with classics like balls and Frisbees. As they say, variety is the spice of life!
