To make a snuffle mat (also called a sniffing mat), you need a perforated rubber base, strips of a tightly woven fabric that does not shed threads, such as fleece or an old sweatshirt, and a pair of scissors. But making it is only half the job: the materials, supervision, cleaning, and knowing when to put it away matter just as much. The main rule is simple: use it only under supervision and put it away when playtime is over.
Materials: what to use and what to avoid
The practical rule is to avoid anything the dog could pull off and swallow. No material is bite-proof, so choosing the right materials can reduce risks but does not replace supervision.
Use
- A rubber mat with holes, thick enough not to tear: a nonslip shower or sink mat will work. Choose a size suited to your dog. If it has suction cups or thin parts that could come off, choose a different one.
- Tightly woven, washable fabrics such as fleece or an old sweatshirt, without zippers, buttons, elastic, or prints that could peel off.
Avoid
- Wool and knitwear that fray.
- Fabrics with long threads.
- Tights and elastic bands.
- Sponges, padding, and thin plastic.
How to make it, step by step
- Cut the fabric into strips, avoiding seams, labels, and prints. As a starting point to adjust: 2–3 cm wide and 20–25 cm long. Adjust them to your dog’s size and the distance between the holes: the strip should pass through without forcing it.
- Thread a strip through one hole, bring it back out through the adjacent hole, and tie the two ends in a tight double knot.
- Work in rows. The closer together the strips are, the more challenging the search will be: start with medium density, leaving some holes empty, and fill in more only if your dog finds it easy.
- When you’re done, pull each strip to check that it does not come loose, retie any knots that give way, and trim any tails that are too long.
How to use and clean it
The first time
Place a few treats on top of the strips. Then hide some between the strips, and only after that, deeper down. If your dog struggles or loses interest, go back to the previous step. Keep the session short and use a nonslip floor.
Use only kibble or dry treats from your dog’s daily ration so you don’t add extra food. Avoid wet or greasy food and sauces: they stay in the fibers. Stay beside your dog, and don’t leave the mat out when you’re not there.
Watch how your dog uses it. If they sniff and move the strips with their nose, that’s fine. If they grab and pull them with their teeth, stop and check the strips: if pieces are coming off, see below for when to put it away.
After each use
- Turn the mat over and shake it to remove crumbs and residue.
- Check for loose knots and strips.
- Wash it when needed: by hand, or in the washing machine only if the fabric and base can withstand it.
- Let it dry completely, including the knots, before putting it away or using it again.
- Replace worn strips.
If you tend to forget, you can set up a recurring activity in the PawsPet app from the “Activity” tab, with “Repeat” and a reminder to wash and check the mat. Choose a type from the “General” category, such as “Other.”
When it’s not suitable and when to put it away
- Your dog tears the strips and swallows pieces. Put the mat away and switch to searches without fabric, such as treats hidden in cardboard boxes, always under supervision.
- Your dog stiffens or growls when you approach the mat. Stop the game, don’t insist, and ask a behavior professional for advice.
- You have more than one dog at home. Let one dog play at a time, with the others in another room.
- Your dog is on a veterinarian-prescribed diet. Use only foods approved by your veterinarian as treats.
- The mat is damaged. If the base tears or the fabric frays, stop using it until you have replaced the damaged parts.
If you think your dog has swallowed strips, knots, or pieces of fabric, contact your veterinarian right away for advice on what to do. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
To get started, try the first session with a few treats placed on the surface and put the mat away when playtime is over.
