What is a Snuffle Mat?

Snuffle mats are a popular type of enrichment toy that consists of a mat with numerous small pockets or compartments that can be filled with treats or kibble. Dogs love to search and forage for their food, and snuffle mats provide an excellent way to tap into this natural instinct while also keeping them mentally stimulated.

Did you know you can make your own snuffle mat?

Are you the creative type? Animal Welfare League have a great guide on how to make your own using a silicon mat, fleece and patience. I will be honest, I did attempt this once and gave up.. I’m clearly not the arts and craft type! But don’t let me stop you!

In Australia, there are several popular snuffle mats available, but a few stand out in terms of quality, durability, and versatility. Let’s take a closer look at the best snuffle mats available at Dog Games Australia:

1. Doglemi Dual-Action Snuffle & Lick Mat

A favourite in my house is Doglemi’s Dual-Action Snuffle and Lick Mat. Below you can see Atlas (one of my German Shepherds) enjoying the middle lick mat element. This one is a more heavy duty mat with a tough outer layer that offers heaps of “snuffling” in the fabric folds.

• Lick Mat & Snuffle Mat
• 48cm Diameter
• Suction cup back
• Removable lick mat for easy cleaning
• Machine washable

2. Doglemi Sunflower Snuffle Mat

The Doglemi Sunflower is a super cute pattern that comes with a non slick back and is a softer option than the dual action above. Made from a soft felt, its machine washable and suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds! You can check out Ares below having a sniff!

• Made from a durable felt
• 48cm diameter
• Machine Washable

Nina Ottosson’s Snuffle Mats

If you’ve read my blog before you’d know I’m a massive supporter of everything Nina Ottosson does, especially her dog puzzles. When I heard the news that she’d released 2 snuffle mat’s I was over the moon!

As per Nina’s style, they each come with different levels (easy, medium and hard,) allowing you to challenge your dogs and to suit any age.

3. Garden Activity or Fast Food Snuffle Mat

Both of these mats are part of Nina Ottosson’s Activity Snuffle Mat collection and are a firm favourite here at Dog Games Australia. They are easy to clean, perfect for both novice and experienced dogs, and feature a water-resistant, non-slip base.

Both mats share the same three levels of play:

• Easy: Hide treats or dry food under the plush material and encourage your dog to sniff them out
• Increased: Hide treats in pockets and cover with the toys
• Ultimate: Hide treats in 5 treat pockets, secure with hook & loop closures, and hide treats with toys for the hardest challenge

The Garden Activity Mat is the more versatile of the two — great for scattering treats, hiding toys in pockets, or using as a slow feeder. A friend of mine has a golden retriever who gets so excited every time he sees it come out for dinner!

The Fast Food Activity Mat brings a fun, playful twist with its fast food theme. Each fast food item represents a different difficulty level — fries (Level 1), hot dog (Level 2), and napkin (Level 3) — and features a pull-out cookie, removable hot dog, and multiple treat-hiding pockets. They both fold up for easy storage.

4. Snuffle Palz Pig or Cow or Chicken

If you’re looking for something a little more cuddly than your standard snuffle mat, the Snuffle Palz range by Nina Ottosson is absolutely adorable. They come in a Pig, Cow or Chicken and are part snuffle mat, part plush puzzle, and part cuddly toy. These Level 1 mats combine sniffing, searching, and unwrapping action to give your dog a gentle but satisfying mental workout. They even have a squeaker!

How to play:

• Load up: Sprinkle treats or kibble into the snuffle material and hidden pockets
• Wrap and hide: Cover the mat and pockets with the plush legs to conceal the rewards
• Let them loose: Encourage your dog to sniff, paw, and nudge their way to the treats Dog Games Australia

These are ideal for rainy days, quiet evenings, or any time your dog needs a low-impact enrichment session that still gives their brain a workout. Being Level 1, they’re also a perfect starting point for dogs who are new to snuffle mats or puzzle toys.

Snuffle Soft or Plush Toys

DogLemi, Nina Ottosson and Outward Hound are now offering a different approach to snuffle mats where the dog can snuffle for either the treats or toys from a plush or ball. Below are some of our customers favourites. Unfortunetly, my two German Shepherd are most definetely not to be trusted with soft toys!

Snuffle mats are an excellent way to provide your dog with mental stimulation and enrichment, and there are several high-quality options available in Australia. Hopefully that’s helped you make a decision on which snuffle mat to buy next! If you have any questions do not hestiate to contact us!

Cheers, and happy playing!

Sal, Atlas & Ares