How to Make a Dog Snuffle Mat

Co-authored by Nicole Larocco-Skeehan and Amber Crain

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

A snuffle mat is an interactive puzzle game that encourages your dog or cat to forage for treats. It's a fun and inexpensive way to provide your pet with mental stimulation, and you can easily make one of these mats at home. In this article, we'll walk you through this fun (and simple) process from start to finish. The supplies are super cheap and the project only takes about an hour to complete, so it's a great DIY craft for a rainy afternoon. If you're ready to get started, scroll on down!

Things You Should Know

Gather 1-2 yards (3-6 ft) of fleece, a rubber mat with holes in it, and scissors.
Cut the fleece into strips 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 6–8 in (15–20 cm) long.
Tie 1 strip through each hole in the mat until it's covered. To use the mat, sprinkle your pet's treats on top of it and let your pet search for them.

1

Grab some fleece, a rubber mat, and scissors.

You can buy the supplies or repurpose items you already own. A DIY snuffle mat is simple to make and very customizable, so you’ll have room to experiment with your materials. At minimum, you’ll need:^{[1]
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- 1-2 yards (3-6 ft) of fleece: you can buy the material or use an old fleece throw. For a visually striking snuffle mat, pick 2-3 different colors. If you don't have fleece, felt could work in a pinch, but fleece is ideal because it's stretchy.
- A rubber mat with drainage holes: this can be an anti-slip bath mat, an anti-fatigue kitchen mat, or an outdoor floor mat. It just needs to be made of rubber and have lots of holes! 12 in × 12 in (30 cm × 30 cm) is a good size for cats and small dogs, and 14 in × 14 in (36 cm × 36 cm) works well for larger dog breeds.
- Scissors: ideally, fabric scissors (but whatever you have on hand will do).

2

Cut the fleece into strips.

Make the strips 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 6–8 in (15–20 cm) long. You don’t need to get out a measuring tape since the strips don’t need to be perfect! It's totally fine to eyeball it. You’ll need as many strips as there are holes in the rubber mat (plus a few extra).^{[2]
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- You can use uniform strips for the entire mat, or cut 10-15 strips that are 2 ft (61 cm) long (or longer) to create more variation.
- For a super dense mat, cut the strips 2 in (5.1 cm) wide.^{[3]
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- The longer and thicker the strips are, the longer it will take your dog (or cat) to find the treats hidden inside.^{[4]
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3

Thread a fleece strip through 2 mat holes.

Start in the top left corner so you can work systematically. Poke the first fleece strip through the top left hole in the mat. Then, thread the same strip through the hole right next to (or below) the first hole.^{[5]
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- One end of the strip will be sticking up out of the first hole and the other end will be sticking up out of the second hole.
- Technically, you can start anywhere on the mat, but it'll be easier if you work from one side to the other so you don't miss any holes.

4

Tie the ends of the strip in a tight knot.

You can use a single knot or a double knot to tie the strip. It really doesn’t matter what kind of knot you use for this, just make sure the knot is tight against the mat so your pet can't untie the fabric and remove the strips.^{[6]
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5

Tie fleece strips in the remaining holes.

Continue threading and knotting strips until all the mat holes are filled. If you’re using multiple fleece colors, alternate them to create a colorful, eye-catching design. If you cut your strips to be different thicknesses and lengths, alternate them to create more variation in the game.^{[7]
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6

Add extra strips to fill in sparse areas (if you’d like).

The denser the mat is, the more challenging the game will be. Flip the mat over and inspect your work. You can tie on additional fleece strips to fill in any sparse areas, or tie existing strips into extra knots to take up more space on the mat (or both!)^{[8]
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7

Sprinkle your pet’s favorite treats on the mat.

Make sure the treats are buried in the fleece strips. If you don’t want to use treats, feel free to use your pet’s favorite kibble instead. Just scatter the treats over the mat and they’ll fall in between the strips.^{[9]
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- To make the game more challenging, push the treats deep inside the strips.^{[10]
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- Sprinkle treats all over the mat (don't concentrate them in one spot).

8

Give your pet the snuffle mat.

Your pet will use its sense of smell to forage for the treats. Snuffle mats are a great way to add excitement and stimulation to your pet’s day. Just place it on the floor in front of your cat or dog and their natural sense of smell will take over. Your pet will have a blast exploring and rooting around in the fleecy strips for tasty treasures.
- If your pet seems hesitant, say a few encouraging words or pat the mat to show them it's okay. You can also hand-feed them a treat to familiarize them with the scent.
- Interact with your pet and cheer them on as they discover more treats!
- Brain games like snuffle mats can be great self-soothing tools for stressed or anxious pets.

9

Monitor your pet while they use the mat.

Make sure your pet doesn't chew or swallow the fleece. The fabric strips will smell like yummy treats, so an overly excited animal might try to gnaw or chew the strips off. Your pet could choke on the fleece if they try to swallow it, so it's best to supervise them.^{[11]
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- Snuffle mats are perfectly safe for your pets to use, but don’t leave them sitting around (especially if you’re not home).
- If the snuffle mat gets dirty (and it will after a few uses), just pop it in your washing machine to clean it. Let the fleece air-dry before letting your pet play with the mat.

Expert Q&A

Question

What are the benefits of a snuffle mat for dogs?

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan
Dog Trainer
Nicole Larocco-Skeehan is a Dog Trainer and the Owner of Philly Unleashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working with animals and currently specializes in group and private dog training and behavior modification. Nicole’s business has been named the "Best of Philadelphia" and she is the author of “The Teaching Dog: Partnering with Dogs for Instruction, Socialization, and Demonstration in Your Training Practice.” She was also on the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers Board of Directors. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising from Robert Morris University.

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Snuffle mats can be a big help for dogs that get nervous when guests arrive, as the mat gives them a healthy way to work through their anxiety. These mats can also provide some great mental stimulation for injured dogs.
Question

Where can I put treats in a snuffle mat?

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan
Dog Trainer
Nicole Larocco-Skeehan is a Dog Trainer and the Owner of Philly Unleashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working with animals and currently specializes in group and private dog training and behavior modification. Nicole’s business has been named the "Best of Philadelphia" and she is the author of “The Teaching Dog: Partnering with Dogs for Instruction, Socialization, and Demonstration in Your Training Practice.” She was also on the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers Board of Directors. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising from Robert Morris University.

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

For some dogs, it might be easier to pop the treats on top to give them a quick win. If you've got a hound or a dog with a really good sniffer, you can really bury those treats in there and let your dog dig them out.