How to Use a Snuffle Mat

Does your dog scarf down his food in record time? 
Do you wish you could slow him down as he eats his meals?
Would you like to find a way to make mealtime fun for your dog?

A snuffle mat might be what you’re looking for!

What’s a snuffle mat? A snuffle mat is usually square and made with fleece material. Strips of fabric are woven through a sturdy backing and tied off so that there are “fingers” on the top side of the mat. The fingers make the snuffle mat an interactive feeding toy that challenges your dog (and slows him down) at mealtimes. 

I put a whole meal in the snuffle mat by separating the fingers (the pieces of fabric) and dropping kibble between them. After the entire meal is hidden in the snuffle mat, I usually feed my dog in his crate under supervision (never leave a dog alone with a snuffle mat). After the meal is eaten, I remove the mat from the crate and store it until the next use. 

Preparing the Snuffle Mat

You can use almost any dry dog food in the snuffle mat. Because it’s made with fabric, the snuffle mat isn’t well-suited for use with wet or raw food. I wash the mat on a gentle cycle and dry it in the dryer on low once or twice a month, as needed.

Using the Snuffle Mat

Note: This article was originally published on 07/18/2018. We regularly review our content to ensure that the principles and techniques remain valuable and relevant. However, best practices continue to evolve. If you notice anything that may need updating, please feel free to contact us at editor@clickertraining.com.