What Do You Put in a Dog Snuffle Mat?
Dogs are natural foragers. They have an instinct to sniff, dig, and seek out interesting scents—a behavior that goes beyond basic play to fulfill both mental and physical needs. Dog snuffle mats are designed to bring this natural behavior indoors, giving your dog an enriching experience and a sense of calm satisfaction.
"Sniffing is a way for dogs to gather information about their environment. Allowing them to sniff and explore can be mentally stimulating and helps to reduce anxiety and frustration." ~Alexandra Horowitz, Canine Cognition Expert and Author of Inside of a Dog
Why Use a Snuffle Mat?
A dog snuffle mat, also known as a dog foraging mat, stimulates a dog’s hunting instincts by offering hidden treats and scents for them to discover. Dogs love sniffing because it activates areas of their brain linked to reward and relaxation. Plus, sniffing helps expend mental energy, making it ideal for dogs who need a way to relax or burn off excess energy indoors.
Whether you have a regular snuffle mat or the advanced Busy Blanket, you’ll find these mats can bring joy, mental exercise, and a sense of calm to your dog’s day. Let’s explore everything you can use and do with these mats to maximize the benefits for your dog.
"Sniffing is essential to a dog’s well-being. It provides mental exercise and allows them to experience the world in a way that’s crucial to their nature." ~Dr. Marc Bekoff, Ethologist and Author of Canine Confidential
How To Make The Most Of Your Dog Snuffle Mat or Busy Blanket
What Treats and Items to Place in a Dog Snuffle Mat
The first thing you’ll want to consider is what types of treats or objects can go in a snuffle mat. When introducing your dog to The Busy Blanket or a snuffle mat for the first time, it’s key to use treats they absolutely love. Familiar, high-value treats will keep them motivated and engaged, even if they find the hunt challenging at first. The scent and taste of their favorite treats will encourage them to dig deeper, nuzzle around, and persist in the search, making the experience both rewarding and exciting. This approach helps them understand that sniffing through the mat leads to tasty rewards, building confidence and enthusiasm for using the mat over time. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Small, Low-Calorie Treats
- Why: Treats that are small and easy to hide work well for snuffle mats. Look for options that are low in calories, so you can use several without overfeeding.
- Examples: Kibble, small training treats, pieces of jerky, or The Peppy Pup’s Tiny Treats.
2. Healthy Foods and Veggies
- Why: Many dogs love fruits and veggies, and these make great snuffle mat fillers because they’re generally low-calorie and nutrient-rich.
- Examples: Small pieces of carrots, blueberries, diced apples (without seeds), or pumpkin bits.
3. Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Foods
- Why: Freeze-dried treats hold up well in the mat, adding a unique texture and flavor dogs love.
- Examples: Freeze-dried liver, chicken bites, or salmon pieces.
4. Herbal Scents for Calming
- Why: Certain herbs are naturally calming for dogs and can be used to help ease anxiety.
- Examples: Dried lavender, chamomile, or valerian root (be sure they’re pet-safe before use).
Using The Busy Blanket vs. a Traditional Snuffle Mat
While both a standard snuffle mat and The Busy Blanket can provide enrichment, they differ in their design.
"Letting a dog sniff is one of the easiest ways to fulfill their mental needs. It’s a simple act that makes a huge difference in their overall happiness and relaxation." ~Patricia McConnell, PhD, Certified Animal Behaviorist
What Makes The Busy Blanket Different?
The Busy Blanket is designed not only to keep treats hidden but also to accommodate various types of play and sensory exploration for your dog. Here’s how it compares:
Different Depths of Pockets: The Busy Blanket includes differing depths of pockets, allowing for more challenging hiding spots compared to the open surface of a traditional snuffle mat. Dogs can dig, nuzzle, and use their nose to lift layers, making the activity more engaging and rewarding. They must not only sniff out the treats, but also devise a clever strategy to retrieve them from within the hidden pockets.
Better for Bigger Dogs & Smarter Dogs: Traditional snuffle mats often have lots of fabric pieces that dogs can easily tug or pull off, which makes treat time more of a mess than a controlled activity. Larger dogs, especially, can quickly learn to lift or shake these mats, sending treats flying in every direction. The Busy Blanket, however, is designed more like a blanket, making it harder to lift in one piece or shake in one go. Plus, with treats hidden securely inside pockets, even if a dog managed to lift it, the treats remain safely tucked away, reducing the chance of scattering. And the benefit? It adds to the mental challenge.
Versatility: The Busy Blanket allows you to add treats or toys that will keep your dog busy foraging, finding, sniffing, and having the time of their life.
Additional Ways to Use a Dog Snuffle Mat or Busy Blanket
With the right treats and items, you can turn your snuffle mat into an all-around enrichment tool for various purposes. Here are some additional ways to engage your dog:
1. Meal Feeding with a Twist
- How: Instead of a bowl, use your dog’s kibble or regular food in the snuffle mat. Sprinkle the kibble throughout the mat or The Busy Blanket’s pockets.
- Why It’s Great: Meal-feeding this way slows down dogs who eat too fast, promotes better digestion, and adds extra mental stimulation to daily meals.
2. Puzzle Layering for Increased Challenge
- How: Use layers of fabric or other small, safe objects over the treats for your dog to remove before finding the reward. With the Busy Blanket, you can add treats to the pockets and then fold the blanket up in layers, adding more treats in between every layer.
- Why It’s Great: This increases the difficulty and lengthens the playtime. The Busy Blanket’s layered design can help add extra challenge for dogs who enjoy a complex puzzle.
3. Add Tactile Toys and Small Objects
- How: Place small, safe toys like rubber balls, crinkly fabric, or other textures alongside treats.
- Why It’s Great: Textures can keep your dog curious, providing a mixed sensory experience that satisfies more than just their sense of smell.
4. ‘Hunt’ Games
- How: Hide treats deeply within the layers of The Busy Blanket for a longer-lasting hunt experience.
- Why It’s Great: Dogs love the thrill of seeking out a “buried” treat, and this method taps into their instincts while providing ample mental exercise.
Special Tips for Using The Busy Blanket
Create a Calming Experience for Separation Anxiety
The Busy Blanket is especially useful for dogs who experience separation anxiety. Set up a blanket session before you leave, placing treats in the pockets. And remember, to lengthen playtime you can fold the blanket up and add treats into all the fold layers.
Travel-Friendly Play
The Busy Blanket can be rolled up and taken along for road trips, so you can provide a familiar, comforting activity no matter where you go.
Safety Tips for Snuffle Mat Use
Snuffle mats are generally safe when used properly, but a few precautions are essential:
- Supervise During Initial Use: Especially if your dog tends to chew or pull at fabric.
- Use Only Dog-Safe Ingredients: Avoid any foods that may be toxic to dogs, such as grapes, raisins, or chocolate.
- Maintain Regular Cleaning: Snuffle mats can trap debris and food residue; regular washing keeps the mat fresh and safe for use.
Final Thoughts: Enriching Your Dog’s Life with The Busy Blanket or Right Snuffle Mat
Whether you use a basic snuffle mat or choose to invest in The Busy Blanket, adding a foraging experience to your dog’s daily routine can be transformative. Dogs thrive when given a purpose, and snuffle mats tap into their natural instincts to sniff and search. This small addition can reduce boredom, ease anxiety, and bring a lot of joy into their lives—turning your home into a fun, enriching space for them to explore.
"For dogs, sniffing is almost like reading a book. They learn so much from their environment through their nose, and allowing them this time to sniff can be incredibly enriching." ~Karen B. London, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist