How to use a snuffle mat (and why your dog needs one)

Most dogs finish a bowl of kibble in under a minute. Then they look at you, bored, for the rest of the evening. A snuffle mat fixes that in a cheap and simple way: you hide the same meal in soft fabric folds and your dog has to sniff it out, piece by piece.

Why sniffing matters

A dog's nose is its main sense, and searching for food is what dogs are built to do. Trainers use sniffing games to settle restless dogs and to give older or recovering dogs something to do that does not need running. Ten minutes of nose work tires many dogs out more than a short walk.

Day one: make it easy

  1. Put the mat on the floor with the fabric strips facing up.
  2. Sprinkle a small handful of kibble or treats on top, in plain sight. Let your dog eat them.
  3. Next, push a few pieces just under the strips. Praise when your dog finds one.
  4. Over two or three sessions, bury the food deeper until a whole meal goes in the mat.

Keep the first sessions short and finish while your dog is still keen.

How much food to hide

Use part or all of a normal meal, not extra treats. For dry food, one meal fits in the mat. For wet food, use the slow-feed bowl in the set instead, or freeze small dollops first so they do not soak the fabric.

Fast eaters and gulpers

If your dog swallows food without chewing, the slow-feed bowl in the Sniff & Slow Set does the same job for ordinary meals. The raised ridges mean your dog eats around them instead of in two gulps. Supervise the first few meals with any new feeder.

Keeping it clean

Shake out the crumbs after each use. Wash the mat on a cold, gentle cycle once a week, or more often with wet food, and air dry it flat. Do not tumble dry. The bowl goes in the dishwasher.

Three mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving the mat out all day. Put it away after the meal so it stays interesting and your dog does not chew it.
  • Hiding food too deep on day one. If your dog gives up, make it easier.
  • Using it for a dog that guards food around other dogs or children. Feed in a separate room.

The Sniff & Slow Set includes the mat and the slow-feed bowl for $29.99 with free US shipping. Delivery takes 8 to 12 days, and you have 30 days to return it if it does not suit your dog.