What you need

  • Snuffle mat — shop-bought
  • Your pet's regular food or kibble

How to do it

  1. While your dog waits, sprinkle a handful of dry kibble or small dry treats on top of the mat so the first ones are easy to find.
  2. Say "find it" and let your dog snuffle.
  3. As they get better, work the food deeper into the fabric.
  4. Pick the mat up as soon as the food is gone.

⚠️ Safety

Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.

Use dry food only, unless you will wash the mat each time. Stay with your dog and pick the mat up afterwards so it isn't chewed. Snuffle mats are not a good choice for dogs that chew up fabric.

👀 What to watch for

Pawing or chewing at the mat means the food is too hard to find: put more on top.

Sources

Last checked November 3, 2026. These activities are for healthy pets — if yours has a health or behavior condition, ask your vet which games suit them.