Toys & Enrichment
Best Snuffle Mats for Dogs
A snuffle mat hides kibble or treats in fabric strips so your dog has to sniff them out. For most dogs we'd start with the AWOOF snuffle mat, a felt mat that folds into a bowl and packs into a small bag. For a big or busy dog, the YOPSI large mat is 39.4 by 23.6 inches with several puzzle sections of different difficulty. If you want to feed whole meals from it, the PET ARENA adjustable mat has a drawstring that turns it from a flat mat into a bowl.
The AKC's Dr. Kelly Hood calls a snuffle mat "playtime with a purpose" [1]. The AKC suggests mats can slow gulpers and relieve boredom, but it doesn't cite a study for those benefits, so we treat them as suggestions rather than proof.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best OverallAWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for DogsFelt-strip mat with a non-slip bottom that folds into a bowl and packs into a bagCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best for Large DogsYOPSI Snuffle Mat for Dogs, Large Breed, 39.4 x 23.6 inBig mat with several puzzle sections and fabric textures; machine washableCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best Adjustable / Bowl-StylePET ARENA Adjustable Snuffle Mat for DogsFleece mat with a drawstring that closes it into a bowl; machine or hand washableCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
How we picked
We searched Amazon for snuffle mats, set aside sponsored results, and read the listings of the mats that came up most often. We chose three different formats: a simple felt mat, a large mat with several puzzle sections, and a drawstring mat that closes into a bowl. We left out mats with small plastic parts. A snuffle mat is not a chew toy; if your dog shreds fabric, see our guide to toys for aggressive chewers instead.
Every product detail comes from the Amazon listing on the date we checked it. Advice on introducing a mat, safety and cleaning comes from the AKC [1]. If slowing a fast eater is your main goal, a slow feeder bowl does that with less setup, and cat owners can find scent and play ideas in our interactive cat toy guide.
What the AKC says about snuffle mats
What a snuffle mat is. The AKC describes it as a pad of fabric strips, folds and pockets where treats or kibble are hidden for the dog to sniff out. Dr. Hood calls it "playtime with a purpose" [1].
Claimed benefits. The AKC suggests a snuffle mat can slow dogs that gulp food, relieve boredom, keep a dog busy indoors in bad weather, and may suit senior dogs [1]. The article doesn't cite a study for any of these, so we present them as suggestions, not proven effects. The makers of our picks go further, claiming weight loss, less anxiety and better digestion; those are maker's claims, and we found no evidence for them in the AKC piece.
How to introduce one. The AKC suggests putting a few treats on top of the mat first, having the dog wait while you fill it, and teaching a cue such as "find it". Supervise every session, pick the mat up when you're done, separate multiple pets, and count the treats so you don't overfeed [1].
Safety and cleaning. The AKC says snuffle mats are not for aggressive chewers or dogs that swallow objects, and to use small dry treats rather than wet food, which belongs on a lick mat. It also notes they won't do much for a dog that isn't food-motivated. Dogs drool on mats, so wash regularly and follow the maker's instructions; Dr. Hood suggests pet-friendly detergent, warm water, a gentle cycle and air drying, and says owning more than one mat helps [1].
AWOOF Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs
Sold by NEEDOON-US, ships from Amazon.
This is the simple format the AKC says suits smaller dogs: felt-cloth strips you tuck kibble or treats into, on a non-slip cloth bottom [1]. It measures about 18.8 by 18.8 inches, per the listing, and weighs under 5 ounces.
The AWOOF does two extra things. It folds into a bowl shape, so you can use it for a meal as well as a treat hunt, and it shrinks into a small storage bag and can be hung up, which matters because the AKC says to put the mat away after each session [1]. The listing claims it burns energy, helps weight loss and reduces boredom; the first two are AWOOF's claims.
Good to know
- Folds into a bowl for meals
- Non-slip bottom
- Packs into a small bag; can be hung up
Keep in mind
- The listing suggests hand washing only
- "Helps weight loss" is AWOOF's claim
- Felt strips are easy to pull out; not for a dog that shreds fabric
YOPSI Snuffle Mat for Dogs, Large Breed, 39.4 x 23.6 in
Sold by URBANICA TRADE, ships from Amazon.
The AKC says bigger or more active dogs do better with more pockets and textures, and that a larger mat takes longer to finish [1]. The YOPSI is 39.4 by 23.6 inches with several puzzle sections in different fabrics, and the listing says difficulty varies across the mat, so a dog can start on the easy parts.
It has a non-slip bottom, it is machine washable, and the listing says there are no small plastic details. YOPSI claims it slows fast eaters and reduces anxiety and destructive behavior; slowing eaters matches what the AKC suggests [1], while the anxiety and behavior claims are the maker's. At 2.34 pounds packed, it is the heaviest of our picks.
Good to know
- 39.4 × 23.6 in with varied difficulty
- Machine washable
- No small plastic parts, per the listing
Keep in mind
- Large footprint to store
- Anxiety and destructive-behavior claims are YOPSI's
- A small dog may finish only part of it
PET ARENA Adjustable Snuffle Mat for Dogs
Sold by Viral_Products, ships from Amazon.
The AKC says bowl-shaped mats with drawstrings suit mealtimes [1], and that is this mat's main feature. A drawstring (a PP belt) pulls the edges up, so the flat mat becomes a bowl that keeps kibble from scattering across the floor. It measures about 19.7 by 19.7 inches flat, per the listing.
The fabric is anti-pilling polar fleece with a non-slip base, and it shrinks down for storage. PET ARENA says it can be machine or hand washed, which fits the AKC's advice to wash mats regularly [1]. The listing claims it aids digestion and weight loss, and mentions a lifetime replacement guarantee; all three are the maker's claims.
Good to know
- Drawstring turns mat into a bowl
- Machine or hand washable
- Non-slip base; shrinks for storage
Keep in mind
- Digestion and weight-loss claims are PET ARENA's
- The lifetime replacement guarantee is a maker's claim we could not verify
- Fleece holds drool; wash it often
Side by side
| Mat | Fabric (listing) | Size (listing) | Bowl mode | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWOOF | Felt cloth | 18.8 × 18.8 in | Folds into a bowl | Hand wash |
| YOPSI large | Mixed fabric textures | 39.4 × 23.6 in | No | Machine wash |
| PET ARENA adjustable | Polar fleece | 19.69 × 19.69 in | Drawstring bowl | Machine or hand wash |
Specs as stated on each Amazon listing, checked October 2026.
What to look for
Match the mat to the dog
The AKC suggests simple mats for small dogs and more pockets and textures for bigger or more active dogs; larger mats take longer [1].
Bowl or flat
Bowl-shaped mats with drawstrings suit mealtimes, the AKC says [1]. A flat mat spreads the search out more.
Washable
Dogs drool on these. Look for felt or fleece you can machine wash, and consider owning two so one is always dry [1].
Anti-slip backing
The AKC lists it as something to look for [1]. All three of our picks have a non-slip bottom, per their listings.
The bottom line
- Best Overall: The AWOOF: a simple felt mat that folds into a bowl and packs away small.
- Best for Large Dogs: The YOPSI large mat has several puzzle sections and goes in the washing machine.
- Best Adjustable / Bowl-Style: The PET ARENA closes into a bowl with a drawstring, which suits mealtimes.
Questions pet parents ask
What does a snuffle mat do for a dog?
It hides treats or kibble in fabric strips so the dog sniffs them out. The AKC suggests this slows gulpers, relieves boredom and keeps a dog busy indoors, though it doesn't cite a study for those benefits [1].
Can I feed my dog's whole meal in a snuffle mat?
The AKC says bowl-shaped mats with drawstrings suit mealtimes, and that you should use small dry treats or kibble, not wet food [1]. The AWOOF and PET ARENA mats both close into a bowl. Count what goes in so you don't overfeed.
How do I introduce a snuffle mat?
The AKC suggests putting a few treats on top first, having the dog wait while you fill it, teaching a cue such as "find it", and supervising the session [1].
Are snuffle mats safe for aggressive chewers?
The AKC says no: they are not for aggressive chewers or dogs that swallow objects [1]. For those dogs, see our guide to toys for aggressive chewers.
How do I clean a snuffle mat?
Follow the maker's instructions. Dr. Hood suggests pet-friendly detergent, warm water, a gentle cycle and air drying [1]. The YOPSI and PET ARENA mats are machine washable per their listings; the AWOOF listing suggests hand washing.
Do snuffle mats help with weight loss or anxiety?
Our picks' listings claim weight loss, anxiety relief and better digestion, but those are the makers' claims. The AKC piece we read doesn't make them, and it cites no study even for the benefits it does suggest [1].
Sources
- American Kennel Club. Everything You Need to Know About Snuffle Mats for Dogs (quotes Kelly Hood, DVM). akc.org