Does your dog struggle with anxiety? Boredom? Or do you have a dog that is bursting with energy? Or maybe, you find yourself battling with chewed shoes, shredded pillows, and barking that doesn’t seem to stop.
Dogs need physical activity and mental stimulation, and snuffle mats provide both. Let’s explore the benefits of snuffle mats for both owner and pup and how they work!
How Do Snuffle Mats Work?
Snuffle mats are often made up of fleece strips attached to a plastic base. They have holes that create space where you can hide dog treats. Hidden treats encourage your dog to use their nose and hunt for the big rewards. Many dogs are natural hunters, and they love the game. Advanced varieties might have pockets and more hiding places built-in, making it more challenging for your pup.
Benefits of Using Snuffle Mats
Snuffle mats are a lifesaver for dogs who devour their food in a matter of seconds. But that is not the only reason to use them.
Here are some of the main benefits of snuffle mats:
Burns Energy
The toy can act as an energy zapper. Just 15 minutes of sniffing burns as many calories as an hour of walking. Snuffle mats are a great activity for puppies who are bursting with energy, or high activity adult dogs. You can use it after a walk or before a walk to calm your hyperactive dog and direct the energy into a different activity.
Encourages Dogs to Use their Sense of Smell
Dogs’ sense of smell is highly important. It is one of the main ways canines discover the world. Snuffle mats encourage your dog to use and exercise its most powerful sense.
Reduces Anxiety
Dogs need plenty of mental stimulation and physical activity. Without an outlet to burn their energy, they can become restless. In the worst-case scenario, bored dogs can develop behavior problems, if they don’t have a proper outlet. Playing with snuffle mats stimulates dopamine production in a dog’s brain. Often called the happy hormone, dopamine boosts mood and reduces anxiety and helps improve your dog’s overall happiness.
Calms Overly Excited Dogs
Some dogs, especially young puppies, can get overly excited and start jumping on people. Or all over the floor. Snuffle mats take your dog’s focus out of jumping and bring it down to a calm activity.
Slows Down Eating
Some dogs, for example golden retrievers and labrador retrievers, devour food within seconds. Eating too fast causes issues like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, and gut issues. With an interactive toy like snuffle mats, owners can increase the length of time it takes their dog to finish their meal.
Provides Activity During Bad Weather
When air quality drops, or when it rains outside, snuffle mats are a great way to keep your dog active. Working dogs, for example, need a job to do every day. When you cannot go outside and play, snuffle mats are a great alternative.
Turns Mealtime Into a Game
Dogs deserve a fun and happy life, right? Snuffle mats turn your dog’s enjoyment of sniffing into a rewarding and fun game. Who doesn’t love a reward for playing, right?
How do I Teach my Dog to Use a Snuffle Mat?
Snuffle mats are relatively straightforward, but some dogs still do not know how to use them. Often, dogs will try to flip the sniffle mat, thinking that flipping brings treats quicker and easier. For dogs that do not understand the concept of snuffling, you might have to help them.
- The first time you introduce a snuffle mat to your puppies, give them some clues or a helping hand.
- Allow your dog to watch as you put a few treats on the top of the mat, loosely in the fleece where they can see them.
- Let them go and eat the treats. That way, they will know that there are treats inside.
- Follow it up by hiding treats under a few bits of fleece, and let them sniff them out.
- Remember to praise regular snuffling and to remove your dog from the mat when he starts playing rough. Dogs catch up on the rules of playing quickly.
What to Do If Your Dog Tries to Dig the Kibble
Some dogs learn that it is easier to pick things up and drop them to make the treats come out. Or, they try to dig the kibble up which causes the mat to flip. As we talked previously, you can work with your dog and teach him how to snuffle treats out.
As a last resort, here is a trick you can use to keep the mat from sliding around. Sew heavy-duty Velcro onto the back of the mat, and then hot glue the matching strips onto a weight plate. The result is a secure, non-flip mat that stays in place. You can comfortably step away from your dog and let him enjoy his puzzle toy. It might sound unconventional, but it works.
How to Use Snuffle Mats For Maximum Advantage
Snuffle mats are a versatile toy you can use for different training and playing purposes. Here are some ideas to help you.
Train Impulse Control
Dogs with higher self-control and impulse control are calmer and more obedient in public.
- Ask your dog to sit while you prepare the mat in front of them.
- Wait for a few more seconds, and then give them a release command like “go” or “OK”.
- Try to add “leave it” while putting in treats so that your dog knows when it is time to dig in.
The goal here is to teach your dog to wait patiently and improve his impulse control.
Train Your Dog to Come When Called
If you struggle with recall, you can use a snuffle mat to teach your dog to come when called. The snuffle mat is an amazing reward and makes your god eager to come to you.
Crate Training
Dogs have a natural instinct to seek out a comfortable, quiet, and safe place to relax. While it is a natural instinct, you need to train your dog to get in a crate. With a snuffle mat, you up the reward for going in and waiting patiently for a reward.
Can You Wash Snuffle Mats?
Snuffle mats tend to get slobbery after a while because your dog is searching for treats. Or they can take on the smell of dog treats. We want to keep things hygienic and clean around the house, so let’s talk about maintenance.
Most snuffle mats can be washed in a machine at 90 degrees F. Put a couple of small hand towels inside to balance out the load and use a gentle spin to get rid of excess water. Follow it up by air drying the mat.
Finding the Best Snuffle Mat for Your Puppy
The variety of snuffle mats on the market makes it harder for pet parents to find the perfect toy. Here are some features to consider:
- Difficulty level: Look for mats that have more pockets and different textures, so that you can increase difficulty when your dog masters the snuffle mat.
- Sizing: These toys come in different sizes and shapes, so consider how much space you have on your floor.
- Material: Snuffle mats are made with soft felt or fleece so that they are gentle on your dog’s nose and mouth. Make sure the mat is machine washable.
- Anti-slip: Try to find a mat with an anti-slip backing to prevent your dog from sliding the mat around.
Are There Risks With Using Snuffle Mats?
While these interactive toys provide loads of activity and stimulation, they are not indestructible. Dogs can chew on them and pull off bits of fabric. Always supervise your dog’s playtime and do not get carried away. Keep track of how much your furry friend eats. The moment your dog finds the last piece of treat, take the mat away. Dogs can get frustrated hunting for treats that aren’t there.
What to Add to a Snuffle Mat?
When you try to fill a sniffle mat, always use treats that are small and dry. Unless you plan to wash the snuffle mat after each use, avoid wet treats and food. You can use the snuffle mat for extra treats or for a full meal feeding. Remember, treats or kibble should have a strong but pleasant smell to keep your pup excited and engaged.
Final Words
Snuffle mats are a great way to keep your dog entertained, engaged, and mentally stimulated. Whether you want to slow down a fast eater, provide stimulation on rainy days, or give your dog