Why I Love Using a Snuffle Mat for My High-Energy Dog
If you have a high-energy dog like me, you know that a walk (while great) just isn’t enough.
My Dalmatian is an active girl who is always ready for the next activity. She loves her walks, playing, exploring and basically anything that involves getting up and doing something. She’s also a dog who can get a little anxious at times, so I’ve found that having different types of enrichment throughout the day is really helpful for her.
One of my favourite enrichment activities for her is the snuffle mat. I’ve tried various ones, but my personal favourite are the snuffle mats from PawzNDogz for their overall quality, durability and varying difficulty levels.
I originally bought their Radiant Butterfly Snuffle Mat over a year ago, and it immediately became one of those dog purchases that I am obsessed with. I use it several times a week, especially on days when I’m working from home, and I’ve since bought a second one for her. I’ve also bought them as gifts for my family because I love them that much.
So, after using these mats regularly for over a year, here’s why I think they’re worth it.
What Is a Snuffle Mat?
If you’ve never used one before, a snuffle mat is basically a foraging activity for your dog.
You hide kibble or treats throughout the different folds and sections of the mat, and your dog has to use their nose to sniff around and find them.
It’s a great interactive activity and my dog absolutely LOVES it.
The second I bring her mat out, she gets excited because she knows exactly what’s coming.
And instead of eating her entire meal in a few minutes, she gets to turn it into a little brain game.
Why I Love It for My Dalmatian
There are a few different reasons I love using a snuffle mat with my dog, but the biggest one is for mental stimulation.
She’s a high-energy dog, and while physical exercise is obviously important, I’ve found that mental enrichment throughout the day is also a great way to tire her out, reduce stress, and keep her happy.
The snuffle mat isn’t just another toy that she plays with for five minutes and then forgets about it. With the snuffle mat, she has to sniff, search and figure out where I’ve hidden her food. She’s completely focused on the task.
It Slows Down Her Meals
My dog is also a very enthusiastic eater.
When I feed her meals using her regular bowl, she gets through it VERY quickly, even with her slow feeder insert. With the snuffle mat, her meal takes much longer because she has to find each individual piece.
I personally prefer to measure out the kibble that I would normally give her for her meal, and stuff it throughout the mat, trying to get kibble into as many of the little folds and crevices as possible. Now, this does take me a good 5-10 minutes to stuff it, but I think it’s worth it for the 25+ minutes it takes her to eat her meal. Also, it’s just so fun to watch her enjoy her snuffle mat.
You could also stuff it with treats for a fun afternoon activity.
It Helps With Stress Relief
My dog can get a little anxious sometimes, and I like having different enrichment activities that I can use to help with stress relief. It’s a great activity to help her slow down and concentrate on something instead of just being on the go, especially when she’s on edge from a tough walk.
It's Also A Great Work-From-Home or Weekend Activity
This is one of my go-to “hacks”.
When I’m working from home, if I just need a little uninterrupted time, I’ll set up her mat. It gives me time to get some work done, while also keeping her happy and fulfilled.
Why I Chose PawzNDogz
There are obviously a lot of snuffle mats available, including plenty of less expensive options on Amazon. And I definitely used other brands in the beginning.
Then I found PawzNDogz and it’s now my go to for snuffle mats.
Now these mats are a little more expensive than some of the basic snuffle mats you’ll find online. But for me, the difference is in the quality and design.
The mat feels well made, and I really like how intricate the designs are. There are so many different folds, textures and little areas to hide food, especially with the higher level mats that are meant to be more challenging.
After having my Butterfly for over a year and using it regularly, I feel like the quality has been worth the extra money.
I also really like supporting a Canadian company, which I personally appreciate when I’m choosing between similar products.
And again, there are lots of snuffle mats out there to choose from. It’s just the brand I’ve personally bought, used frequently, and truly love.
The Radiant Butterfly Snuffle Mat
The Radiant Butterfly is the first snuffle mat I bought, which is a Level 3 mat.
PawzNDogz has different difficulty levels, from Level 1 through Level 4, so you can choose something based on your dog’s needs and how challenging you want the activity to be.
I chose Level 3 because my dog is active and I wanted something that would actually give her a bit of a challenge. It’s also just super cute.
It does move around a little bit while she’s using it, but that hasn’t really been an issue. She’s still able to get all of the kibble out without a problem, though it does keep her busy for a bit!
After a year, she’s a little faster, because she knows her Butterfly pretty well. That’s why I bought a second one – the Lotus. Having two gives me a little more variety in our enrichment routine.
How Has It Held Up After a Year?
Pretty well!
We’ve used the Butterfly a lot over the past year, and it’s been washed multiple times.
After more than a year of frequent use, there are a few little pieces that are starting to get loose. But honestly, considering just how much use this mat has gotten, I think it’s held up really well.
And I appreciate that I can wash it as needed
Are PawzNDogz Snuffle Mats Worth It?
For me, yes. Absolutely.
I’ve used it regularly for over a year, I’ve bought a second one for my own dog, and I’ve bought them as gifts.
That probably tells you everything you need to know about how I feel about them.
I think snuffle mats in general are a great enrichment activity for dogs, especially dogs who are active, love food and enjoy sniffing.
And I personally really like PawzNDogz because of the quality, the more intricate designs and the fact that they’re a Canadian company.
Just remember that every dog is different, and I would supervise your dog while they’re using a snuffle mat, especially if they’re prone to chewing or pulling at the fabric.
Shop the review
Shop the products I mentioned
Radiant Butterfly Snuffle Mat
The snuffle mat I’ve been wearing for over a year
-> Shop the snuffle mat on the PawzNDogz webite
Divine Lotus AntiBite Snuffle Mat
