26 Jul DIY Dog Treat Snuffle Mat
Looking for a fun way to give your dog some food or treats – or to slow down a speedy eater who inhales their kibble? Then you’ve gotta try this colorful homemade toy called a snuffle mat! This interactive DIY Dog Treat Snuffle Mat is made from a simple kitchen sink rubber mat that has about a BA-jillion fleece fabric strips tied in and around all its holes.
The floppy fleece ends make the best hiding spots for treats, engaging your pup’s sense of smell. This nosework activity mimics their natural hunting and foraging skills and helps to stimulate their brain. In fact, the snuffle mat gives your furry best friend much more mental and physical stimulation than your typical slow feeding bowl. Your dog will love the challenge to the very last bite!
Don’t have time to make your own? Here’s one we like: https://amzn.to/3nsrhtx
You’ll need…
- 1 rubber sink mat (12 x 15 inches is a good size for medium sized dogs) or door mat
- 1 ½ yard of fleece
- A sharp pair of scissors
- Dry treats or kibbles only (wet food is a no-no, to avoid a mess and mold)
Step 1
Cut fleece into strips about 8-10 inches long and 1 inch wide. Feel free to vary the lengths and widths a bit. That’ll make the finished mat more fun when your dog is trying to find the treats.
Step 2
Loop one end of the strip through a hole in the mat and tie a knot to secure it.
Step 3
Continue tying fleece strips around the mat until it’s covered.
Step 4
Fill the mat with your dog’s favorite dry food kibbles or small treats and let the fun begin! Here’s how:
Beginner activity: If your pup has not done much nosework before, it’s a good idea to start them off with an easier puzzle to solve. Fluff up the strips until they are standing up, put the mat on the floor and allow your hound to watch you drop some treats on top of the strips (so the treats aren’t really hidden – mostly just sitting on top) and encourage your dog to “find the treats!”
More advanced activity: For pups with more experience using their nose to locate food or treats, ensure the strips are nice and fluffy, then load up the mat with treats so that some are hidden in between strips as well as sprinkled on top. Consider varying the treats to make it a bit more challenging and keep your dog interested.
Important tip: Only use the snuggle mat when you are able to supervise your dog’s play closely. Dogs left alone with the mat could chew bits of the fleece strips off and possibly swallow them…which could be quite harmful.
Once playtime is over, take the mat outside and give it a thorough shake to remove any remaining food bits. For cleaning, place the mat into an empty pillow case and toss it in the washing machine on cold. Fluff up the fleece and lay flat to dry.
If you don’t have the time to make a homemade snuffle mat, here’s one you can use that’s already made for you!
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Don’t forget to share your pictures with us below or on Facebook. We always love seeing what you make for your furry best friends!
Want to see this LIVE VIDEO? Check it out HERE! https://youtu.be/vuNx0aEIJ6g
Lois
Posted at 13:58h, 20 OctoberLooks like a fun project. Thanks for sharing.
Patti
Posted at 19:18h, 20 OctoberOh gosh, it’s a lot of fun to make – and soooo easy! Just takes a bit of time to tie all of those fluffy fleece strips. But you can easily do it while watching tv – or your kiddos soccer game – and your pup will thank you for the effort!
So colorful, fuzzy and fun…It’s sure to be their new favorite toy! 🙂
Lori
Posted at 13:57h, 30 MayI made one of these for my son’s dogs and they love it. I am making another one for my sisters puppies. It was so fun doing this project. Thanks for sharing.
Patti
Posted at 21:12h, 09 JuneOhmygosh, of course! You’re most welcome, Lori. We are so excited to hear your son’s dogs love their new snuffle mat made with love by thoughtful YOU! Thanks for sharing! <3
Hound Hugger DIY
Posted at 15:24h, 06 JulyTesting our reply
Cynthia Brown
Posted at 08:35h, 03 NovemberI would like to compliment both of you for your wonderful creativity. I can’t help but wonder if your toys stand up to a larger dog, like a labrador puppy? My little girl is almost 8 months old and is an intensive chewer. I have a cotton snuffle rug that I have given her her kibble. When she gets frustrated, she pulls on the pieces, and sometimes eats them. I loved it for nose work, but even when her kibble wasn’t buried, she would just pull on the pieces. I am going to make the ball and see if “Baby” does it with that toy.
Patti
Posted at 21:31h, 03 NovemberThanks so much for the kind words, Cynthia! And congrats on the new furry addition to your family… that’s exciting news!
Snuffle toys can really make a dog’s life much better and are super easy to use, but if your dog is an excited chewer (as most puppies are!), it’s definitely possible for them to tear up the parts and pieces of a snuffle toy or mat. I do think the snuffle ball is a nice option, because the pieces of fleece are bigger and not as easily destroyed.
We do recommend supervising your dog while they play with any snuffle toy. Even gentle chewers (like my little chiweenie Ginger) can try to pull the snuffle toy apart to get to the treats easier. Then once your dog is finished playing, it’s best to put the toy away.
Some of our Snuffle Toy Club members have said their snuffle toys last for years, however it’s best to change them out more frequently. That’s one of the perks of being in the club – you get to make a new toy each month. This keeps things fresh and interesting for your pup – with a nice clean toy to play with. And if a toy happens to get torn up from use, they’ll have a new one to enjoy next month.
Hope this helps! Please give extra belly rubs to your sweet Lab puppy from us!
Ali Marble
Posted at 08:10h, 01 DecemberPatti, you could try making one with t-shirt material or denim strips. The t-shirt might be harder for your pup to grab and the denim might hold up better to aggressive pulling. You’d probably want to cut the strips a bit narrower though. Anyway, I just thought of that and it might help. I’m making a bunch of these and the snuffle balls for our local animal shelter so I was considering other materials. Good luck. -Ali