Snuffle Mat Fun

What is a Snuffle Mat and does my dog need one?

A snuffle mat is an enrichment activity that puts a bit more variety into your dogs life. Using snuffle mats can help with behaviour problems, help with boredom and anxiety and can be a great training tool. And yes! Your dog needs one!

Benefits:

• Gives them an opportunity to use their amazing sense of smell: This is so important because it’s one of the main ways that they navigate the world! With a snuffle mat, the treats are hidden so it encourages your dog to use their sense of smell to find out where the treats are. Not only does this give them an opportunity to use their sense of smell to find food it’s enriching for them too!

• Helps reduce ANXIETY: as dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them from developing problem behaviours. Snuffle mats help them develop their natural foraging instincts which stimulates dopamine in their brain which, in turn, helps boost their mood and reduce anxiety.

• Helps tire them: Brainwork can be more tiring than physical exercise and a snuffle mat helps them burn energy and improve their mood.

• Have a dog that gets over excited? For those that get super excited, grabbing at clothes, jumping etc, a snuffle mat is an excellent way of redirecting their focus and calm them down.

• Slows down eating: As some dogs are super fast eaters, we all know this can cause problems such as bloating, vomiting etc. Feeding their kibble via a snuffle mat can increase the length of time it takes them to eat therefore it can help reduce these risks.

How often should my dog use a snuffle mat?

You can incorporate them as much or as little as needed in your dogs life. Could be daily, could be monthly or anything in between. These mat sessions will help them to burn off some mental energy, while still needing other forms of physical exercise. Older dogs, who can't walk or play like they used to, will definitely benefit from daily sniff sessions even more. They are also valuable if your dog is convalescing from surgery or illness, needing to be rested for stretches of time or just amazing for those days that are too hot to take them out or too wet for a good old walk.

How to use a Snuffle Mat

• Start by sprinkling a few treats on top of the snuffle mat, so your dog can find them easily

• Have your dog wait while you fill the mat

• Teach them a command to start snuffling like “find it” or "have it"

• Always supervise your dog while they’re snuffling

• Pick up the mat after each use, so your dog doesn’t destroy the mat when the treats are gone

• Separate your dogs if you have more than one pet

Here are my dogs, Finn and Luna using the snuffle mat for the first time. Be wary if your dogs don't eat well together though - mine do - but I always supervise!

Safety Tips and Considerations

Your dog's safety is most important, so here are some tips to ensure their snuffle mat experience is a good one.

• Watch the Calories: Treats used in the mat should be factored into their daily diet to avoid overfeeding.

• Regular Checks: Inspect the mat for any loose pieces or signs of wear and tear. Replace or repair as needed to prevent accidental ingestion.Here are some tips on using a snuffle mat.

• Do not use with wet food or wet treats: Also, be sure to check that all the food is removed at the end of the play session (to avoid stinky moldy mess) – you can do this by shaking it vigorously shaking after use.

• Important: Always monitor your dog, especially if they have a history of chewing or swallowing objects. Snuffle mats may not good choice if your dog is an aggressive chewer, treats everything like a chew toy, or isn’t motivated by treats.

• To Clean: I just hose it down outside maybe on a monthly basis and let dry in the sun.

Can I make my own?

Yes! I did! I found it quite a theraputic process and got a sense of satisfaction that a) I finished something and b) they actually like and use it!

How did I make a Snuffle Mat?

Snuffle mats are usually made up of fleece or felt strips attached to a rubber or plastic base with holes in it. We used this rubber doomat from Bunnings which is around $7.00 and cut it in half so actually got two! I purchased polar fleece from Spotlight and cut it in to strips - 4cms wide x 25cms long. I think I purchased 4 metres of fabric but can't remember - sorry. I know I had LOADS left over.

• 1st image shows the fabric strip - approx 25cms x 4cms

• 2nd shows that I then fold it in half

• 3rd shows that I put the looped end on one hole and the other end in the next hole

• 4th shows that I bring the two loose ends through the looped end and then pull to tighten

• 1st pic shows pulling the loose ends through the loop

• 2nd shows that it is now pulled tight

• 3rd shows how it looks from the top

• 4th shows how it looks underneath

Various images I took along the way

Luna, using the mat for the very first time and loving it. I had just finished making it and no, they are not normally allowed on our outside table!