The best snuffle mats for dogs to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated

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.

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

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

We put all the frequently asked questions about dog snuffle mats to Britt Rosendahl, Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity.

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.