Is your dog a hard-core forager? Why not introduce a snuffle mat or dog puzzle feeder to their routine?
If your furry sidekick considers rooting around for food, treats, toys, and more to be their all-time favorite pastime, they’re going to love today’s dog puzzle feeders and snuffle mats. Not only are these seriously durable food/treat dispensers perfect for slowing down a pooch that tends to gobble their meals, but when it comes to the benefits of these snuffle mats for dogs, where do we begin? It paces their food consumption while also providing mental enrichment that addresses a dog’s instinctive need to pick up scents, search, hunt, dig, and ultimately discover that all-important reward.
How Does a Snuffle Mat or Dog Puzzle Feeder Work?
If you’re not familiar with the term snuffle mat or dog puzzle feeder, these super-handy devices offer serious fun for your pup and are highly effective when it comes to stimulating their senses.
With the snuffle mat, your dog can rummage through a thick layer of soft, highly durable fabric strips and loops affixed to a small non-slip mat. The goal is to get their nose working overtime, sniffing out all those treats and kibble bits you’ve scattered amongst the strips. And yes, snuffle mats are machine-washable.
Puzzle feeders are best described as a slow-feeder dog bowl alternative. While both will pace your pup when it comes to how quickly they enjoy their kibble or treats, the dog puzzle feeder is more interactive, requiring your pooch to press buttons, slide panels, and work harder to earn their reward. One upside to puzzle feeders over snuffle mats is that you can use dry or wet food – whichever your dog prefers.
What Are the Benefits?
If you’re still wondering if a snuffle mat or dog puzzle feeder is something you need to add to your arsenal of dog gear, consider this:
- For older dogs/those with health issues, the need to sniff and find food can be a great way to pique their curiosity and heighten their interest in eating again.
- Winter is coming and colder temps mean briefer outdoor time. Nothing beats indoor boredom better than having to find every last treat in your snuffle mat or those puzzle feeder cubbies.
- For dogs that tend to gobble (yes, we’re talking puppies and Labrador retrievers), the benefits of a puzzle feeder are many. Slower eating means less vomiting, better nutrition, and a healthier pup.
- Working from home and looking for a way to keep your dog busy and out from underfoot? A well-designed puzzle feeder is a great start to creating a fun, healthy preoccupation.
- If your life requires leaving the fur-kid behind while you’re at the office, set them up with a snuffle mat or puzzle feeder loaded with high-value treats as you head out the door. It makes your departure less stressful… or even noticeable.
- For the lay-about dog that’s content to snooze the day away, these devices deliver the mental enrichment needed to keep their brains active, their senses primed, and their energy level higher and focused.
How to Choose the Right Product for Your Dog
One-size seldom fits all in the world of humans, and when it comes to finding the right snuffle mat or best puzzle feeder for dogs, you need to consider the individual pup. Beyond ensuring the product is safe, non-toxic, and always easy to clean/sanitize, here are tips on how to choose a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat:
- Smaller dogs or puppies with short attention spans want a fun puzzle feeder that offers lots of hiding places to discover and is super easy to solve. Or, choose a snuffle mat where your pooch can pick the scent up quickly and immediately zero in on whatever tasty morsel awaits. In each instance, you control how many treats and how often the game is played – so no chance of over-indulging.
- For dogs who take a “search and destroy” approach to life, snuffle mats are a poor choice unless offered under complete supervision. Torn material can quickly be consumed, and unless you’re there to quickly remove the mat, the loose strips of fabric can result in choking or swallowing.
- If your dog is a heavy-chewer, you’ll want a puzzle feeder that’s super-durable and made from a food-grade or BPA-free plastic. Something they can toss around, bite, lick, and gnaw on without the worry that it might break apart or become toxic when chewed. This may rule out some of the smaller options with little pieces your dog needs to press or slide to access their reward. Consider the heavy-duty puzzle toys designed for shaking out loose kibble when your pup grabs, stomps, or paws it.
- Those with a larger pooch that scarfs down food in just a few bites should consider one of the durable rubber puzzle feeders that can be adjusted to accommodate either small or large kibble bits. While they still get a full meal and their nutritional needs are met, you avoid the possibility of bloat by slowing down their rate of consumption. It’s also a great option for dogs inclined toward obesity, as it gives them more time to feel satisfied.
How to DIY a Snuffle Mat or Puzzle Feeder
For those living with multiple dogs or pooches who tend to make quick work of anything you thought was indestructible, continual replenishment isn’t always in the budget. So, it’s time to get creative. Luckily, there are several ways to DIY a snuffle mat or puzzle feeder.
Let’s start with these words of wisdom: if you have more than one dog, you’ll need more than one snuffle mat. Fighting over a lightweight fabric mat laden with treats won’t end well for the mat.
Ready to DIY Snuffle Mat?
Create a mat base using an old tea-towel or hand towel. Machine-stitch dozens of 6- or 8-inch strips of soft fabric (old sweat shirts, or flannel blankets are perfect) across the entire surface. You want a thicker material because it not only hides the treats but also withstands your dog’s rooting.
A non-slip rubber sink mat is another great option because it provides an instant template. Simply pull the strips of fabric up through the drain holes and knot each one on the underside. Voila!
Even easier, in Spring, Summer, or Fall, throw a handful of kibble pieces across a grassy area and watch your dog sniff, hunt, find, and devour their “catch”.
Let’s Try a DIY Puzzle Feeder
Use an old tea towel or a small fleece blanket, roll it into a long tube, and, as you roll, sprinkle treats/kibble bits inside it. Tie it at both ends and let your dog dig and root to loosen the fabric and release their rewards.
You can also overturn a muffin tin and sprinkle the kibble or treats in between the cups. Your pooch now has to work their way around them.
Make a dime-sized, X-shaped puncture in an old tennis ball and fill it with kibble or treats. It bounces, it dispenses, is fun, and cheap.
Ready for a Recap?
Every dog parent knows that keeping our pups engaged and active – particularly during the winter season – can be a challenge. While outdoor exercise will always be important, mental stimulation factors equally into our dog’s overall health. And that’s why having a simple snuffle mat and/or puzzle feeder in your stash of mealtime essentials becomes a no-brainer. They’re easy to use, are ideal at exciting your pup’s senses, and for dogs that lean toward obesity, are a fun, effective way to keep their consumption in check.
