Canine Enrichment Snuffle Mat

But one of the easiest ways to provide dog enrichment is with a snuffle mat.

Canine enrichment snuffle mat. Enrichment includes things like obstacle courses and training. Dogs cats and guinea pigs all love their snufflers. Additions to an animal s environment with which the animal voluntarily interacts and as a result experiences improved physical and or psychological health aspca canine enrichment program. Mental enrichment for dogs is a very important part of their overall wellbeing and many bored dogs start showing problematic behaviours when they aren t getting enough enrichment.

Here s 10 of my favorite canine enrichment games activities. Enter the snuffle mat a homemade toy that provides dogs with an opportunity to use their most highly developed sense to sniff out hidden treats. Snuffle mat also known as a snuffler is great mental stimulation for your pet. Change it up or down depending on your dog s size.

Snuffle mats are mats that allow the dogs to find dry food or treats that you ve hidden. In fact many pets prefer working for their food as the sniffing and foraging process stimulates the pleasure centers in their brains. There s loads of different enrichment toys available on the market but these snuffle mats are an easy and fun project to make for your pooch using only a few. Canine enrichment helps to keep your dogs mind active and gives him or her a task to perform.

The snuffle mat consists of fleece strips tied on to a rubber mat with holes in it. It turns feeding time into a stimulating activity. The loose ends of the fleece are on top and provide the hiding spots for the treats. Quantity depends on the size of the mat but 1 5.

Snuffle mats are commonly used to encourage slower eating habits to avoid risks of bloat but they also serve as a great way to keep your pup s mind engaged and healthy. Snuffle mats and other food toys are great ways to provide your dog with enrichment. That means you re feeding your dog while also letting their brain be stimulated as they savour their food. It can be used to reduce anxiety slow down a fast eater or simply as a fun reward for your fur baby.

The aspca defines enrichment as. The snuffle mat is a homemade toy that provides the dog with an opportunity to sniff and search for hidden treats. If you re wondering what the heck a snuffle mat is you re not alone. A snuffle mat is basically a rubber mat with lots of fabric strips usually fleece tied.

Just remember that every dog and breed is different. Until last year i had no idea what they were either and i consider myself a pretty dog savvy individual. I d recommend using the honest kitchen s proper toppers or.