What Is a Snuffle Mat, and How to Make a DIY Snuffle Mat

What a snuffle mat is

The AKC describes a snuffle mat as a pad covered in fabric strips arranged into folds, flaps and pockets, where you hide treats or kibble for your dog to find with their nose. It is playtime with a purpose: instead of finishing a meal in seconds, your dog works for each piece, using the same sniff-and-search behavior dogs use to forage.

Most mats are made from soft fleece or felt, often with an anti-slip backing so the mat does not slide around. Store-bought snuffle mats come in many shapes, but a homemade one works just as well if it is sturdy, the strips are tightly tied, and you supervise every use.

Are snuffle mats good for dogs?

For most dogs, yes. The AKC lists mental stimulation, relief from boredom and anxiety, slower eating for dogs who gulp their food, an activity for days when weather keeps you inside, and a puzzle that suits senior dogs. Five to ten minutes of snuffling can leave a dog noticeably calmer.

They are not for every dog. The AKC advises against snuffle mats for aggressive chewers, dogs that treat everything as a chew toy, and dogs not motivated by food. If your dog tries to tear strips off, switch to a lick mat or a sturdy puzzle toy instead, because swallowed fabric can cause a blockage.

How to make a DIY snuffle mat

Step 1: Get a rubber sink mat or a rubber doormat with holes, about the size you want the finished mat. Step 2: Buy fleece, which does not fray, and cut it into strips about one inch wide and six inches long. You need a lot: plan on filling every hole. Step 3: Push one strip through a hole and back up through the next one, then tie it in a tight double knot.

Step 4: Keep going until every hole is filled and the strips stand thick and shaggy. Step 5: Tug every knot to check it holds. Step 6: Trim any strips that are much longer than the rest. The AKC also describes a sink mat version with fleece strips tied through the holes, and a quick tea towel version with treats folded inside and loosely knotted.

How to use a snuffle mat

Start easy. The AKC suggests sprinkling a few treats on top at first so your dog finds them quickly. Then ask your dog to wait while you work food deeper into the strips, and use a start cue such as find it. Small, dry treats with a strong smell, or your dog's regular kibble at mealtimes, work best.

Count snuffle mat food as part of the daily ration, so you do not overfeed. Pick the mat up as soon as the food is gone, which the AKC recommends, so your dog does not start chewing it once the game is over. Do not use wet food on a snuffle mat unless you wash it after every use.

How to clean a snuffle mat

Dogs drool while they snuffle, so clean the mat regularly. The AKC suggests following the maker's instructions, washing in warm water with a pet-friendly detergent on a gentle cycle, and air drying. Shake out crumbs after every use and spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap between washes.

Having two mats makes it easy to rotate one while the other dries. Check the knots after each wash and retie or trim any strips that have come loose, so your dog cannot pull one free.

Safety and when to call your vet

Always supervise your dog on a snuffle mat, keep a close eye on dogs with a history of chewing or swallowing objects, and separate dogs if you have more than one, as the AKC advises. Replace a mat once strips are coming loose. If your dog swallows a strip of fabric, call your vet for advice, especially if they vomit, stop eating, strain or seem uncomfortable.

A snuffle mat is a great way to slow a fast eater, but if your dog suddenly starts gulping food or seems hungry all the time, mention it to your vet.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.