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When humans need mental stimulation, they might read a book or do a crossword puzzle. Dogs aren’t great at word puzzles, and it probably wouldn’t do the trick anyway—one of the best ways to activate and engage a dog’s mind is through their nose. Smell is the primary sense through which a dog interprets the world around them, which is one reason it makes sense that dog snuffle mats have become so popular with pet parents.
Not only do snuffle mats keep your dog busy when boredom strikes, but they also play right into your pup’s sniffing and tracking instinct, working their brain and nose in tandem.
In our research, we also found that they come with a host of other cool benefits, like combating anxiety, slowing down mealtime, and providing a great exercise outlet for aging dogs.
To help you pick the best dog snuffle mat for your dog, we’ve put together a list of our favorites (along with how to make your own) down below.
- Best All-Around: The Wooly by Paw5
- Best for Clever Pups: Kruuse Buster Activity Mat
- Best for Anxious Dogs: Awoof Foraging Snuffle Mat
- Best for Large and Older Dogs: Yinxue Large Dog Snuffle Mat
- Best for High-Energy Pups: Sniffiiz Smelly Matty Snuffle Mat
- Best Beginner Puzzle and Snuffle Combo: Nina Ottosson Activity Matz
- Best for Slow Feeding and Travel: Awoof Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs
- Best for Nose Work: Stellaire Chern Snuffle Mat
- Best for Small Spaces: Pet Parents Forager Snuffle & Feeding Mat
Best All-Around: The Wooly by Paw5 (Verified Review)
This gray mat resembles a monochrome rag rug—indeed, you could probably use one as a bath mat in a pinch—but it’s designed for your dog’s rifling pleasure. The shaggy surface offers plenty of places for treats or dry food to hide.
We like how long it keeps a dog engaged, making it perfect for slowing down speed eaters, keeping bored dogs entertained, and even encouraging hesitant eaters by calling on their foraging instincts. In our Rover review, the Paw 5 Snuffle Mat was a hit with both an energetic Dachshund and his 13-year-old companion pup.
To get started, simply crumble some treats or dry food in it, and let your pup go to town trying to find the bits and pieces hidden in its stringy tendrils. An unexpected bonus: After mealtime, you might find your dog enjoys using it as a bed.
Features to note:
- Size: 18 inches by 12 inches
- Machine washable
- Made of 100% pet-safe fibers
- Produced in West Africa via Ethical Apparel
Best for Clever Pups: Kruuse Buster Activity Mat
Designed in Denmark, the Buster Activity Mat is many, many toys in one. Snapping onto the base, fabric puzzle components can be folded and tied in a variety of origami-esque ways to hide treats, dehydrated food, or even bully sticks. It comes with three puzzles to get your dog started, and each puzzle is adjustable for your dog’s skill level.
Reviewers love the variety of activities; dogs who easily solved—and became bored with—traditional puzzle toys were continually entertained by this mat.
Big dogs and flat-nosed pups might find the mat more frustrating than fun, as many activities require reaching into tight spaces. Some reviewers also raised concerns about the mat’s durability and the risk of dogs swallowing a loose snap, so this may not be the best snuffle mat for dogs who like to chew or play rough.
Features to note:
- Size: 27 inches long and 19 inches wide
- Non-skid bottom
- Included duffle bag for storage and transport
- Hand-wash only
- Best suited for small to medium pups
Best for Anxious Dogs: Awoof Foraging Snuffle Mat (Verified Review)
There are hiding spots aplenty throughout this dog snuffle mat made from sturdy Oxford cloth and fleece. At the center, strips of soft fleece surround thick flower-like petals, while fun puzzles made of pockets and tubes offer a different challenge at each corner. Little bells hidden in the petals add even more sensory fun.
In one rave review, a pet parent shared that their normally-reactive pup didn’t even notice the storm thundering outside while they were foraging for treats. Several others noted how the mat helped to engage their anxious dog in a healthy way. At nearly 30 inches in diameter, the mat is large enough for big dogs. But the variety of activities also makes it perfect for dogs of all sizes and natures; you can use the whole mat at once or even focus your dog on specific elements.
Our only caveat? We wish it had an anti-slip base for especially rambunctious snufflers.
Features to note:
- Size: 28.7 inches by 28.7 inches
- Machine washable
- Made of all non-toxic, odorless materials
- Folds into a neat envelope-like square for storage
- No non-slip bottom, but includes straps for anchoring furniture legs
Best for Large and Older Dogs: Yinxue Large Dog Snuffle Mat
Pockets, pockets, and more pockets! This fleece mat has oodles of fun shapes to tuck tasty little treats into and keep your dog guessing. Spanning more than three square feet, it’s a great option for many larger pups. While some of the smaller nooks may be challenging to extra-large dogs, reviewers report that their Chocolate Labs, Cane Corsos, Dalmations, Blue Heelers, and even a potbelly pig all love it.
You might even be able to entertain two smaller dogs at once, as long as they happily share resources and space. All the nooks and crannies of this mat are great for keeping your dog’s mind sharp, but it also makes the process of filling it a bit more involved. And machine washing is not recommended. Good intentions aside, especially busy pet parents might get more use out of a shag-style mat.
Features to note:
- Size: 39 inches by 39 inches
- Anti-slip bottom
- Available in two colors: yellow (pictured) and green
- Hand washing required
- Rolls up for easy storage
Best for High-Energy Pups: Sniffiiz Smelly Matty Snuffle Mat
For pet parents with a bundle of energy at home, this snuffle mat might come in handy. This round mat has fleece petal folds, grass strips to hide treats and kibble, and five separate pocket-style canvas puzzle toys. The puzzles can be added and removed to add interest with new challenges.
Several reviewers noted that the mat kept their dog entertained for 30 minutes to an hour. That makes the Smelly Matty one of the most engaging snuffle mats available in terms of length of play—perfect for dogs who need a more sustained outlet for their energy. Designed with large breeds in mind, a non-slip bottom and optional bars keep the mat from flipping over too.
Features to note:
- Size: 31 inches in diameter
- Anti-slip bottom
- Made of durable Oxford cloth and fleece
- Machine washable
Best Beginner Puzzle and Snuffle Combo: Nina Ottosson Activity Matz Garden Game
If your dog is ready for more of a challenge but is still working on their problem-solving skills, this garden-themed mat provides a great bridge between basic snuffle mats and the more complex snuffle puzzles on our list.
Offering three ways to play, this puzzle mat lets you increase the challenge as you go—hiding treats in the cabbage snuffle area, tucking food into the veggie pockets, and closing things tight with hooks and loops.
A non-slip bottom keeps everything in place while your dog plays, and the whole thing rolls up for easy storage.
Features to note:
- Size: 15 inches by 21.5 inches
- Combines a snuffle area with game pockets
- Build the complexity as you go with three levels of difficulty
- Non-slip bottom; rolls up for easy storage
Best for Slow Feeding and Travel: Awoof Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs
We think this mat looks like a giant salad of fun! Bright green strips of felt fill a round brown “bowl.” You can lay this snuffle mat out flat for a traditional nose work mat or fold up the sides for a slow feeding experience. Pull the drawstring even tighter, and the snuffle portion tucks away completely.
It’s a convenient option when you’re on the road with your pet—after all, travel can be stressful for both dogs and pet parents, and a snuffle mat is a great way to engage bored or anxious pups. Pup parents with large dogs note that the mat is a little small, coming in at just 10 inches when the sides are up. A bigger mat might be better for big dogs at home.
Features to note:
- Size: 18 inches in diameter when fully open
- Non-slip base
- Hand washing recommended
- Snuffle strips made of felt
Best for Nose Work: Stellaire Chern Snuffle Mat
This large multi-textured mat has two zones: a traditional snuffle mat with thick strips of soft fleece, and a puzzle area with cups, flaps, and pockets. The variety of activities offered by the mat adds a creative challenge for any dog, but especially those practicing nose work.
You can have your pup forage for kibble in the grassy strips or strategically place treats under the cloth pockets and in the cups for all sorts of fun while training. Plus, it comes in four colors to fit your and your dog’s particular style.
Features to note:
- Size: 23.6 inches by 39.4 inches
- Machine washable
- No-slip fabric on the base
- Made from fleece and upcycled materials
- Rolls up for easy storage
Best for Small Spaces: Pet Parents Forager Snuffle & Feeding Mat
Whether you have limited space or are trying to take a more minimalist approach, sometimes you just need a more compact option when it comes to fitting dog toys inside your home. With the smallest size measuring 12 inches by 18 inches, this snuffle mat by Pet Parents is great for smaller spaces. It also packs up nicely with a loop and strap, so you can easily store it away between play sessions.
Made with soft material that’s gentle on your dog’s nose and gums, this toy also has blue-colored spots to serve as visual cues for your pup. Triple stitched for durability, this tiny but mighty mat is also machine washable.
Features to note:
- Sizes: 12 inches by 18 inches; 19 inches by 21 inches
- Machine washable, non-slip backing
- Made with soft material that protects your dog’s snout and gums
- Easily rolls up and features a hook and loop closure strap to keep it compact
How To Choose a Snuffle Mat
Here are a few of the most common uses for snuffle mats—and what to look for as you choose the right one for your particular needs:
- A snuffle mat with a thick shag or deep folds will slow down a speed eater and entertain a high-energy dog for a long time, with plenty of nooks and crannies to bury kibble and extend the hunt.
- For a clever pup or one experiencing cognitive decline or dysfunction, a snuffle mat with varied challenges, like a mix of pockets and strips, can help them use their minds and stay sharp.
- Any mat will do if you’re using a snuffle mat for general training. But for nose work, look for a large mat with various hiding places and methods.
One area not to compromise? Washability. When a snuffle mat inevitably fills with crumbs and slobber, you’ll want an easy way to clean it.
How To Make Your Own Snuffle Mat
If you’re crafty, there are DIY versions of the dog snuffle mat that you can make as well.
One option is to cut up a bunch of old t-shirts and tie them all over the inside of a shallow milk crate, or to a PVC sink mat (although we don’t suggest the latter if you have a heavy chewer). Or you can simply get a cotton mop head (brand new, of course) and mix a bunch of yummy things in with the strings. Just make sure that the materials you use are non-toxic and safe for your pup!
How We Chose the Best Snuffle Mats
With a variety of snuffle mats available, choosing the best options can be a challenge, even for us. We selected the products featured here based on our team’s hands-on (or, rather, nose-on) testing, the advice of veterinary and animal behavior experts, and a deep dive into customer reviews across several retail platforms.
We particularly considered the problems and opportunities each mat helped to address, the safety of each mat (durability and materials used), and the entertainment value too—we want our dogs to enjoy snuffling in their new mat! Sometimes, the final decision of what to include boiled down to “Would my dog like this?” After all, there’s no better gauge of how good a toy is than the opinions of our own pets. Happy snuffling!
