Snuffle mats for dogs provide a great way to provide your pooch with some mental stimulation while they’re rewarded with tasty food. If you’re not sure what they are exactly, they’re a feeder toy that consists of a flat base with lots of fabric strips or ruffles attached to it that you can hide food and small treats inside and your pooch has to sniff them out. As they offer your pup a chance to engage in foraging (which is a skill they would have had to use in the wild) while keeping them entertained and giving their brain a workout, they’re a valuable dog toy to have.
There are a number of different scenarios where using a snuffle mat for your dog might come in handy. As we’ve mentioned, snuffle mats are great for providing mental stimulation for those dogs that are easily bored and need more enrichment in their day-to-day life. They’re also handy to use as a way of slowing down a dog that has a tendency to wolf down their food as they have to work to find it between the layers of fabric before they can scoff it all. Whatever you’re using it for, you’ll want to make sure these interactive toys have enough hiding spots and textures for your hound to explore in order to keep them engaged and challenged with every use.
Best snuffle mat for dogs at a glance:
Before buying a snuffle mat for dogs in your home, there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind. Make sure you’re choosing an appropriate toy to match your pup’s size and breeze. You can get a smaller mat toy for small dogs whereas snuffle toys for large dogs need to be big enough that they can’t put the whole thing in their mouth as it would be a choking hazard. For your dog to engage with a snuffle mat, they need to be able to dig, scratch and chew at it so the material quality and durability are crucial. The vast majority are made from fabric but that doesn’t mean bits should break off after a couple of uses. You should also take into account how easy the mat is to clean as there’s bound to be plenty of dog slobber and crumbs lurking between the layers after every use.
Whether you’re after a snuffle mat to add to your dog’s toy box to keep them mentally challenged and engaged or looking to use it as a training tool, we’ve searched the web for all the best snuffle mats for dogs that are made from trusted pet brands and come recommended by other pet owners in online reviews.
Best snuffle mat for dogs UK
Best overall
PET ARENA/AmazonKeep your dog mentally engaged with the PET ARENA Adjustable Snuffle Mat. It has an adjustable belt so you can make the size of the snuffle mat bigger or smaller to make the mat more or less challenging. There are non-slip grips on the bottom of it that are designed to stop the mat from sliding about while your dog has a good sniff.
A popular choice on Amazon, this PET ARENA mat has over 5,100 reviews. Pet owners love the adjustable design and many comment saying that for this reason, they feel like the mat could grow with their pup. Although, some did feel the overall size wasn't suitable for large dogs.
Pros
- Adjustable belt to increase or decrease the size of the mat to make it more or less challenging
- Non-slip grips at the bottom to stop it from sliding about
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the overall size of this mat wasn't suitable for large breeds
Best snuffle mat for boredom relief
Vivifying/AmazonWith eight places to hide food and treats, the Vivifying Snuffle Mat for Dogs will keep your pooch entertained for ages. There are different shapes and spaces on this brightly coloured mat for your hound to stick their nose into and dig around in. When it comes to cleaning up, you can just pop it in the washing machine on a cool wash and it'll be as good as new in no time.
Reviewers say it's made from good quality materials and that it is pretty durable too, but some feel the material is a little sniff which means some of the puzzles are harder to hide treats in.
Pros
- Eight different places to hide treats on one mat
- Can be popped in the washing machine to keep it clean and fresh
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the material is a bit stiff so some are harder to hide treats in
Best snuffle mat for fast eaters
YEAKOO/AmazonAs there are many different ruffles in which to hide food, the YEAKOO Dog Snuffle Mat is a great choice for pups who need to slow down their chow time. The ruffles are made from a soft cotton material, which may not be the most chew-resistant, but it will feel nice and soft against your pup's face as they hunt for their food.
Comments in the reviews agree with us that it's quite chewable but as it's backed by plastic, it should make it a bit more durable. Reviewers appreciate that it's made meal times more fun for their pooch and it's worked wonders in slowing down their eating and has had a positive effect on their digestion.
Pros
- Lots of different ruffles to hide food into
- Made from a soft cotton so it will feel nice against your pup's face
Cons
- Not the most chew-resistant according to comments in the reviews
Best travel-friendly snuffle mat
Emwel/AmazonIf you're after a snuffle mat that you can take with you when visiting friends and family or on a UK staycation, consider the Emwel Dog Snuffle Mat. It all folds in on itself and clips together plus comes with a carry handle to make it compact and portable. When it is in use, it has four smaller treat hiding spots and a big one in the middle to offer your pooch some variety, which will keep the game interesting.
As it has a number of different elements to it, pet owners who have reviewed this product say the snuffle mat offers great entertainment value and keeps their dog amused for a while. They also appreciate that it's easy to fold away and store when not in use. Opinions are mixed on the durability, however.
Pros
- Folds away for easy storage and travel
- Keeps pooches engaged for longer as it has multiple treat-hiding parts
Cons
- Opinions are mixed on the durability
Best snuffle mat for small dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
The varied textures and plenty of hidey holes on the Pets at Home Snuffle Mat Dog Toy will keep a dog's mind active and mentally stimulated. Your pooch will be kept happy for ages as they forage amongst the fabric strips for their favourite tasty treats.
This Snuffle Mat Dog Toy is a good size for small dogs and as it's quite thin, you can easily roll it up after each use. Just keep in mind that because it's a thin one with a depth of 1.3cm, it may be more susceptible to chew damage.
Pros
- Plenty of hidey holes for your pooch to forage for treats in
- Lots of different textures for your hound to explore
Cons
- May be more susceptible to chew damage because it's less than 2cm thick
Best snuffle mat for puppies
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
As your puppy's brain is developing, the Just For Puppy Freddie Frog Snuffle Mat will help them learn problem-solving skills and encourage natural foraging behaviours. There are 84 fabric loops for you to hide treats in so you can switch up the pattern of the hiding places each time to keep it interesting for your young pup.
While Pets at Home have tried to make this mat as durable as possible against razor-sharp puppy teeth, it's worth keeping in mind that no mat or toy is completely indestructible so you shouldn't leave your pup unattended while using this mat.
Pros
- Great for developing your puppy's problem-solving skills while their brain is growing
- 84 fabric loops to hide treats in
Cons
- Not completely indestructible against razor-sharp puppy teeth
Best snuffle mat for interactive play
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
The Pets at Home Play Time Space Book Snuffle Mat Dog Toy promises out-of-this-world fun with its space-themed varied hiding spots and textures. Stuff your hound's favourite biscuits or something more high value like bits of sausage among the rockets, moon and stars inside this storybook-designed snuffle toy.
We like that this snuffle toy is made from crinkle fabric to add an extra element of interactive play. It also has a little loop at the top so your pooch can carry it around in their mouth if they want. While it does have plenty of hiding spaces, it doesn't have as many fabric loops and ruffles compared to others so it may be easier to solve and not as challenging.
Pros
- Cute storybook and space-themed design
- Made from crinkle fabric for another element of interactive play
Cons
- May not be as challenging compared to others as there are not as many fabric loops and ruffles
Best snuffle ball
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
There are even more play elements to enjoy with the Pets at Home Play Time Snuffle Ball Dog Toy. As well as finding treats among its fabric rolls, your pooch can enjoy the textures and sounds of the crinkle fabric it's made from and it can be thrown, caught and rolled as it's in a ball shape.
As there are many ways to play with the Pets at Home Play Time Snuffle Ball Dog Toy, it'll keep your pooch mentally stimulated and engaged for longer. As with any ball toy, you'll want to make sure your dog can't fully put it in their mouth so for this reason, this snuffle ball may not be suitable for larger dogs.
Pros
- Multiple elements to play as the ball shape means it can be thrown, caught, rolled and more
- Made from a crinkle fabric for another texture and sound to keep your hound interested
Cons
- May not be suitable for larger dogs as they could put the whole thing in their mouth
How we chose the best snuffle mats for dogs
All of these snuffle mats for dogs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered design, size and durability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog snuffle mats to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Our verdict: What is the best snuffle mat for dogs?
In our opinion, one of the best snuffle mats for dogs is the PET ARENA Adjustable Snuffle Mat. We like that you can make the foraging area bigger or smaller by adjusting the belt, which will then make the mat more or less challenging for your pooch.
FAQs<br>We put all the frequently asked questions about dog snuffle mats to Britt Rosendahl, Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist at <a href="https://woodgreen.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Woodgreen Pets Charity</a>.
What are the benefits of a snuffle mat:
"Snuffle mats make snack time fun by encouraging dogs to find food with their noses," says Britt. "They provide mental stimulation and are a great way to calm dogs. Using a snuffle mat for their daily dog food intake will also slow a dog down so they don’t inhale it in one go."
Why are snuffle mats important for dogs?
"Dogs are natural foragers so using a snuffle mat to feed your pet will encourage them to forage by using their nose to get their food," explains Britt. "This allows them to exhibit typical canine behaviour and will raise your dog’s overall mood, reducing boredom and the potential of developing behavioural issues."
Britt goes on to explain, "Sniffing is a very natural and enjoyable behaviour for your four-legged friends. It’s important to allow your dog to sniff on a regular basis as it will help your dog to emotionally regulate themselves better in certain scenarios."
What is the best material for a dog snuffle mat?
"Most snuffle mats are made of fleece strips woven into each other or attached to a rubber basis similar to a bath mat", says Britt. "Make sure the material you’re using is safe for your dog, easy to clean and wash."
What is the best snuffle mat design?
The best snuffle mat design all depends on your purpose and your dog, according to Britt. "If you’re using it in the home, I suggest getting a large-sized snuffle mat. If you have a dog who doesn’t tend to tear items apart, you can use a snuffle mat with a solid base made from rubber or plastic. Small, portable snuffle mats are also available; these are useful to take with you to use in public places such as parks or when visiting a friend."
Do snuffle mats work for dogs?
"YES! And they work for all of our canine friends, as all dogs love to sniff," says Britt. "The only thing to make sure is that your dog is safe and won’t destroy or ingest strips of fleece or the base of the snuffle mat. That’s why it’s important to always supervise dogs when they’re using a snuffle mat."
How to use a snuffle mat efficiently:
There are many ways to efficiently use a snuffle mat, according to Britt. "You can use a snuffle mat daily in the home to feed dogs their daily meal. You can also take the mats out and about to give your dog a calming activity to do when you’re at a friend’s home or a pub, for example.
"For nervous dogs, you can also use a snuffle mat to encourage them to explore and build some confidence. Snuffle mats can be very useful in building a dog’s confidence and encouraging explorative behaviour, especially when you have an anxious or underconfident dog, so using a portable snuffle mat in different areas can be beneficial."
This article contains expert advice from Britt Rosendahl, dog behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity. She has a level 5 diploma in canine behaviour management and is working towards her Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors membership. She is particularly passionate about helping lively pooches channel their energy in better ways.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.