If you're looking to keep your pooch entertained for hours, then creating your own DIY snuffle mat could not be easier.
This creative activity game is one of the best dog toys around for helping canines explore their environment with their noses. It's typically made from fabric, such as fleece material, and the idea is that dogs must find the treats hidden inside the "fingers" of the mat.
The best snuffle mats for dogs are essentially a type of dog feeding puzzle, helping to encourage your dog to use their own intelligence to find the treats, as well as encouraging them to slow down at mealtimes.
A snuffle mat is a popular strand of dog enrichment, a hot topic amongst animal behaviorists that means improving an animal’s quality of life by making the environment more complex and dynamic.
Fortunately, it often doesn't cost the earth to do so, with many pet owners creating their own DIY dog toys and games for dogs at home.
If you'd like to create your own DIY snuffle mat, these ideas don't always require the crafty touch. It's surprising just how inventive you can get with common items you can find around the home...
1. Towel DIY snuffle mat
Creating your own DIY snuffle mat doesn't need to be hard work. How about simply using a bathroom towel from around the home? This handy tutorial by TikTok user @essentialoiller is so easy anyone can try it out!
What you'll need:
• Large towel
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Place 4 treats in a row inside your towel and repeat each row until you reach near the bottom. Leave space at the end to ensure treats don't fall out
2. Starting at the top, roll your towel down until fully rolled
3. Let your dogs work out how unravel the towel!
2. Basic fleece DIY snuffle mat
Looking to create a stylish DIY snuffle mat on a budget? This bright yellow snuffle mat created by @edpton9 is made from fleece blanket you can find in budget homeware stores and doesn't require advanced craft skills.
What you'll need:
• 1 fleece blanket
• Scissors
• 1 sink mat
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Using scissors, cut the fleece blanket into long strips
2. Tie the strips between the holes of the sink mat. One side will be knotted, while the other will feature the mat "fingers"
3. You can cut the sink mat to a smaller size if you run out of fabric
4. Hide the treats inside the fabric
3. Rainbow DIY snuffle mat
It's so easy to switch up a fleece DIY snuffle mat: just add lots of color! This rainbow snuffle mat by @ratatatkittykat follows a similar how-to as the basic snuffle mat, only you need lots of different colored fleeces to create the rainbow effect.
What you'll need:
• 5 fleece blankets (different colors)
• Scissors
• 1 sink mat
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Using scissors, cut the fleece blankets into long strips making sure you have equal numbers of each color
2. Tie the strips between the holes of the sink mat. One side will be knotted, while the other will feature the mat "fingers"
3. You can cut the sink mat to a smaller size if you run out of fabric
4. Hide the treats inside the fabric
4. DIY "snuffle mat" with dog toys
Love the idea but don't have much time? This brilliant DIY snuffle mat tip suggested by @cobblerchronicles doesn't require much at all, in fact it uses your pooch's own dog toys to achieve a similar idea to a snuffle mat.
What you'll need:
• A pile of your pooch's favorite dog toys
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Sprinkle your dog's favorite treat or kibble across a pile of dog toys
2. Let your dog sniff out the treats
5. DIY snuffle ball
Fancy switching up the snuffle mat? Why not create a ball instead? This tutorial by @willowbeegoods uses the same principles as the snuffle mat but turns it into a toy they can move around instead.
What you'll need:
• Cardboard
• A few different colored or patterned fleece blankets
• 4 zip ties
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Cut a large circle out of cardboard
2. Cut 32 circles of fleece that match the same size as your cardboard circle. Feel free to use different colors and patterns. A couple will work best
3. Fold one fleece circle into fourths like it's a napkin and cut a hole into the corner of each. Repeat until you have 8 fleece circles
4. String all 8 onto a zip tie. Repeat for each zip tie so you have 32 circles of fleece across 4 zip ties
5. String all zip ties together. Tighten, cut off ends and sand down any sharp edges
6. Add treats to the folds
6. DIY snuffle toy
Not only is this DIY snuffle toy tutorial by @potato.bulldog a great twist on the DIY snuffle mat, it's also a genius way to upcycle any old t-shirts you're no longer using.
Instead of always buying your pooch a new toy, this stylish snuffle plait won't break the bank and is so easy to create at home.
What you'll need:
• An old t-shirt
• Sewing thread or cotton string
• Scissors
• Dry dog treats or kibble
Directions:
1. Using scissors, cut the top part of your t-shirt off and discard
2. Cut the bottom part of the t-shirt into three long strips
3. Bind them together at the top using cotton string or sew together
4. Weave the t-shirt pieces together to create a plait shape
5. Once you reach the end, ensure there's room at the bottom to bind together again and secure the toy
6. Hide your dog treats or kibble into the plaits of the toy and give to your dog
