Snuffle Toys for Dogs: Your Guide To 'Foraging' as an Enrichment Activity

In this article, we'll explore snuffle toys - what they are, their benefits, the different types available, and what to consider when choosing the right one for your dog.

First, let’s explore the concept of foraging, as this is the type of enrichment that snuffle toys are designed to support.

Foraging is a deeply ingrained behaviour in dogs, rooted in their ancestry as wild canines. Dogs had to rely on their senses and problem-solving skills to locate food, which often required scavenging, sniffing and digging.

So while we now serve them meals before tucking them up in our beds, the instinct to forage remains strong. When a dog engages in foraging, they’re satisfying an instinctual need to search, discover and work for their meals.

Providing opportunities for dogs to engage in natural behaviour is the purpose of enrichment.

Dogs have adapted themselves to fit in with our lives, yet it's not always easy for them. We ask a lot - don't chase that, don't dig that, don't scavenge that, don't chew that, don't walk that fast...

They have to show such restraint on a daily basis, and without sufficient outlets, this can lead to intense frustration.

This is why I'm so passionate about enrichment activities. It's our way of giving dogs the time and space to 'just be a dog'.

Snuffle toys can help replicate this foraging experience by encouraging dogs to use their sense of smell and problem-solving skills to locate hidden treats, making mealtime or treat time more engaging and mentally stimulating.

Snuffle toys Vs. scatter feeding

Scatter feeding can be a simple foraging activity for dogs. You can find a detailed guide on scatter feeding dogs here.

Scattering food or treats across a lawn provides a natural environment for your dog to forage in and just having their paws on the earth, exploring and engaging their nose in a meaningful way, is hugely enriching. I'm very much an advocate of 'natural' enrichment.

However, scatter feeding not always practical. Maybe you don’t have a lawn, or perhaps your outdoor space becomes muddy or frozen in winter. Maybe your dog is too anxious eating their food outside. Maybe you simply enjoy the convenience of indoor activities.

This is where snuffle toys shine. They provide a structured and contained way for dogs to enjoy foraging enrichment indoors, no matter the weather or space limitations.

Even if you regularly scatter feed your dog, incorporating snuffle toys into their enrichment schedule can help introduce varied activities, keeping their foraging instincts engaged in different ways.

Snuffle toys vs. treat dispensing balls

While treat dispensing balls can be fun, it's always important to look at whether an interactive toy or a treat ball is actually enriching. What behaviours does it facilitate? I talk about this a lot, but it's important to understand the true purpose of enrichment.

Enrichment isn't there to purely "occupy" our dogs for our own benefit. It's primarily for the benefit of the dog.

I've written a separate post on Puzzle Feeders here.

I stock a range of treat-dispensing toys, and when selecting them, I look for designs that allow dogs to interact in a variety of ways. A great treat toy should ideally encourage natural behaviours such as pawing, tossing, shaking, dissecting, chasing and problem-solving, rather than offering just one repetitive action.

The interactive puzzle feeders I choose tend to have interesting shapes and textures rather than being just smooth, round balls. This variety allows dogs to engage their minds and problem-solving skills, figuring out different ways to release the treats. In contrast, traditional treat-dispensing balls mainly require dogs to push them with their noses to roll them around, which, while still enriching, provides a more limited form of engagement.

That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with treat-dispensing balls - they can still be great enrichment tools! However, if you’re looking to 'challenge' your dog with a more engaging experience, it’s worth considering toys that offer multiple ways to interact.

What are the benefits of snuffle toys for dogs?

  • Mental stimulation

    Sniffing is the most mentally stimulating activity a dog can do. The act of searching for food with their nose engages a dog’s brain, helping to prevent boredom within the confines of your home and reducing destructive behaviours linked to frustration.

  • A sense of achievement

    Successfully finding food or treats hidden within a snuffle toy provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment for dogs, boosting their confidence. It may not seen like a complex activity to us, but giving your dog a sense of agency by 'winning' their own food can't be underestimated!

  • Promotes calm focus

    If you think about the process of foraging food in the wild, it's not a quick one! While we appreciate convenience, purposeful activity can be hugely beneficial for dogs. Engaging in tasks like sniffing out and extracting treats from a snuffle toy can be very absorbing, encouraging relaxation and reducing anxiety.

  • Encourages slow eating

    Foraging naturally slow down the eating process, which can be particularly beneficial for dogs that tend to gulp their food too quickly. Rapid eating can lead to digestive discomfort, bloating and even serious conditions like gastric torsion. By encouraging dogs to search and work for their food, snuffle toys help prevent these issues while making mealtime more engaging and enjoyable.

The different types of snuffle toys

Snuffle toys come in different forms, but they all work on the same principle: hiding treats or other dry food within soft fabric layers, encouraging your dog to use their nose to uncover the goodies. These are the snuffle toys I use with my spaniel:

Challenge level: 1

Snuffle Mat

Snuffle mats are the ideal indoor alternative to scatter feeding. They engage your dog's nose in sustained sniffing and foraging which has a wonderfully calming effect.

Snuffle mats are the least challenging option, making them well suited for introducing snuffling as an activity. They're great for puppies and senior dogs as well as less confident dogs and those that get quickly frustrated by puzzles.

What to look for in a Snuffle Mat

When choosing a snuffle mat for your dog, I recommend opting for heavy rubber-backed mats rather than those with a plastic frame. Lightweight options can be easily flipped over by dogs, which can make the snuffling experience less effective.

Consider the size of the mat as well - a doormat-sized snuffle mat provides ample space for a satisfying and engaging snuffle session. The fabric used is also crucial; look for mats made from thick fleece rather than thin, flimsy felt, as fleece is more durable and provides a better snuffling experience.

Additionally, ensure that the fabric is OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for pets.

While there are many cheap, mass-produced snuffle mats available, they often sacrifice quality and durability. Some fabrics may contain harmful chemicals, which is particularly concerning for dog toys, as dogs interact with them using their mouths. Investing in a well-made, high-quality snuffle mat ensures both safety and longevity.

SNUFFLE MATS COMING SOON!

Challenge Level: 2

Snuffle Ball

Snuffle balls provide a fun, interactive brain game. Your dog will need to push, paw and use their nose to seek out the treats hidden in the folds. The added movement can be engaging for dogs that enjoy playing with toys.

If you have a high-energy dog that has a tendancy to be ball-obsessed, snuffle balls provide a lower arousal alternative.

Being lightweight and compact, snuffle balls are helpful for using in the car, cafes, etc to help your dog settle in different environments.

What to look for in a Snuffle Ball:

  • OEKO-TEX cert. fabric
  • Quality fleece (not felt)
  • Handstitched (rather than plastic cable ties that can break more easily and be sharp)
Snuffle Balls

Challenge level: 3

Snuffle Plait

The Snuffle Plait is a unique enrichment toy that I personally designed. While you may be familiar with traditional plaited tug toys, the Snuffle Plait serves a different purpose.

Unlike tightly woven tug toys designed for interactive pulling games, my Snuffle Plaits are crafted with a looser weave, allowing dogs to explore and forage.

The key feature is the treat pockets running the entire length of the plait a whopping 1 metre long! This design encourages dogs to use their noses to sniff out and retrieve hidden treats, providing both mental stimulation and a rewarding puzzle challenge.

It can take around 30 minutes to extract all treats which provides a sustained session - ideal for adding calm sniffing to your dog's day.

Since the pockets require more precise nose work, the Snuffle Plait engages a dog’s natural foraging instincts in a way that mimics natural dissection - a process where animals carefully work to pull apart and consume their prey. This added complexity makes the experience more enriching and satisfying for your dog.

Snuffle Plaits work particularly well for 'busy' dogs that require higher levels of mental stimulation and those that require appropriate outlets for prey drive.

To learn more, check out the Snuffle Plait listing, where you’ll find further details on how it works and why it’s a rewarding addition to your dog’s enrichment routine!

Snuffle Plait

All Snuffle Toys

I hope that's been helpful in explaining the purpose of snuffle toys as well as helping you figure out what's best for your particular dog.

If you have any questions, do let me know! I'm always happy to talk about dogs!

Chloe

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