Learn how to make a Snuffle Mat for Dogs for a quick and easy project that will keep puppies entertained and engaged!
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We got a new puppy- a sweet cavapoo that we have been completely smitten over. Since she’s a young puppy, she’s full of energy and wants to eat everything! We have been trying to come up with all ideas to keep her active and keep her from biting my furniture and toys!
In this article, we’re going to show you how to make a snuffle mat for dogs, a simple and inexpensive DIY project that will keep your furry friend occupied and happy for hours. So, say hello to a happy pup!
Before we get into anything- just want to make a disclaimer! Make sure to watch your pet with the snuffle mat as I’m sure some of the smart puzzle solvers might be able to work the double knots free! I had a pit bull years ago that would have probably been able to tear off the fleece if she had it long enough ! I would hate for any doggy to get harmed from this! Proceed with caution!
What is a snuffle mat?
Snuffle mats for dogs are usually made up of fleece strips attached to a plastic base with holes in it. This allows for spaces where dog treats can be easily hidden. This encourages your pet to use their noses to ‘hunt’ for the treats.
Why are snuffle mats good for dogs
There are so many reasons and benefits of why snuffle mats are great for dogs! Here are just a few
- calm hyper dogs
- Aids sense of smell
- burns energy
- prevents speedy eating
- mental stimulation
We live in Idaho- where it is cold and snowy most months. Dogs don’t get to spend too much time outdoors, so this mat is a great way to burn off some extra energy while being stuck in the house! They say that 20 minutes of snuffling is the same amount of stimulation as one hour of running around.
Supplies to make a snuffle mat
This turned out to be a really cheap DIY! Here are the items I used
- Sink mat from Dollar tree
- 24 inches of fleece fabric
There are lots of different sink mats. Some with smaller holes which would work great. But the one I grabbed was $1.25 and the others ones start at about $6! If you don’t care about cost- I would recommend this sink mat from amazon!
Fleece Fabric is important. It doesn’t fray like other kinds of fabric. You can use whatever scraps you have and make it colorful!
Related: Free Butt SVG for the perfect leash holder
How to make a Snuffle Mat for Dogs
As I mentioned- such an easy DIY! I cut my fleece in half so it was 12 inches in width and put the pieces on top of each other. Then I cut 1 1/2 wide strips. You can make these fatter or skinnier or make the fleece only 10 inches or 14 inches.
Once I had all the strips of fleece, I just started tying. I made sure to do double knots pulled tightly. I know my dog can’t undo them but older, smarter dogs might be able to get through it! You can triple knot if you want to.
I tied the fabric going in all directions. Left to right, top to bottom to make sure each hole gets thoroughly covered. I just tied until I ran out of fabric.
I did not tie any fabric around the edges.
It is super helpful to flip it over and see if you can find any spots you missed.
Once you have them all tied, I fluff them up and then I had the puppy watch me add in some food so she knew what she was hunting for!
Since the mat has holes, some food will fall through the cracks. When the dog is done, we just move the snuffle mat over and pick up any that managed to slip through!
The verdict is- she LOVES IT! It is such a fun way to give her dinner!
Other interactive ideas for your dog
I might have gone overboard- and basically bought all the fun things for our new pup! Here are some of her favorites!
- Silicone snuffle mat
- lick mat (this has suction cups so we stick it to our bathtub to keep her busy while we wash her!
- puzzle feeder: Your dog has to learn to slide over the little cover to reveal more food
- Treat dispensing roller– as your dog plays and rolls it around, treats fall out!
- Puzzle ball (this one is in my amazon cart! We haven’t tried it yet!)
Too busy to get crafting today? No problem! Pin this post to remind yourself about this project later! Sharing my projects helps me reach more people, allowing me to continue sharing free content!
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