A nose-work snuffle mat helps keep a dog entertained by allowing them to sniff out tasty morsels. The food-friendly vessels are designed with pockets, flaps, folds, and holes where you can sprinkle in treats or your dog’s favorite kibble. We tested 17 snuffle mats with real dogs, and the best snuffle mat for your dog will provide an enjoyable challenge suited for their size and will be easy for you to clean.
Goto Firsta to know more.
“Snuffle mats are helpful with crate training, decompression, and keeping pups busy, especially on days where their outdoor activity is limited,” shared Judy Duhr, Director of Speak Rescue and Sanctuary in St. Louis, Missouri, with The Spruce Pets. “They also help slow down dogs that eat too fast.”
This giant snuffle mat by Stellaire Chern has all kinds of nooks and crannies to hide kibble and treats. Part of it is a traditional snuffle mat with fleece strips on one side. The rest of the mat has pockets, flaps, and cup-like creations. Sprinkle in food, and then tuck surprises in all the little extra areas. It should take your dog quite a while to find them all. While fostering an Australian Shepherd puppy (featured in photos below) who was conditioned to eat quickly out of scarcity, the introduction of this snuffle mat increased the pup's mealtime duration from 15 seconds to 15 minutes.
The mat comes in two sizes, and the large one particularly takes up a lot of space, both on the floor and when you store it. But they come with a built-in tie, so you can roll it up and stash it away. It’s still very big, so make sure you have a spot in the pantry or some other roomy spot.
Don’t expect mealtime prep to be quick. It can take quite a bit of time to fill up all the hiding spots. I use this mat for particularly food-driven puppies and sometimes I will prepare it while they wait nearby in a crate. It helps them learn patience and the payoff is big because it takes them a long time to explore and sniff out all the kibble.
The mat has an anti-skid backing which helps keep it in place when your pup is foraging with passion. It’s also machine washable on a gentle, low cycle. This is Duhr’s absolute favorite, because it can keep puppies and adult dogs entertained for a long time and encourages them to use their nose to find all the hidden spots.
Available in two sizes.
Snuffle balls like this Ablechien Interactive Foraging Ball allow you to fill all the felt layers of the toys with treats or kibble and then roll it to your pet. Your pup can nose it around, letting the snacks fall out or they can nose through the layers to find the tasty prize. The ball comes in two sizes – 6 inches and 7.8 inches. You can customize how easy or hard it is by cinching it tighter or looser.
The ball can get dirty quickly while it’s rolling around on the floor, filled with food, but fortunately it’s machine washable. Our testers washed it several times and even after rough play sessions, the balls came out clean in one piece. When the treats are all found, it can double as a soft ball, as long as your pup isn’t a serious chewer.
One of our testers loved that the ball doesn’t take up a lot of floor real estate. They like that when the ball rolled, it moved quietly and gently “without the ruckus some of my dog’s other toys cause.”
Available as a ball in two sizes and as a snake in one size.
Testing: We selected 17 bestselling and highly-rated snuffle mats for real-world testing for several weeks. Tests were conducted with dogs of all sizes and ages, and snuffle mats were evaluated on how fun and challenging they were, how easy they were to clean, size, materials, price, and extra features.
Throughout testing, our volunteer testers followed a methodology created by our testing and research team to ensure we received back consistent notes from tester to tester. Testers provided feedback in the following categories: size, design, portability, ease of cleaning, quality, and value. Equipped with their first-hand observations and scoring feedback, our editors then ranked and categorized our top picks for the ideal snuffle mat that suits your needs.
Best for Travel: This colorful AWOOF Pet Snuffle Feeding Mat has a built-in drawstring so you can close it up all the way for storage, open it part of the way to create a bowl, or flatten it for a regular snuffle mat. The smaller size is great for a smaller pet or if you just want to keep kibble and treats contained as if your pup were eating out of a dish.
Snuffle mats get grungy and need to be cleaned often. This one should be washed by hand, according to the instructions. It has a helpful non-slip bottom that keeps it from sliding across the floor. Because it can be cinched up with the drawstring, it’s easy to store and takes up less room than some of the other mats.
One of our testers was quite impressed with how long it took her dog to find his snacks. “Because of the density of the grass, it was challenging enough for him to stay occupied for a long time.”
Available in one size.
Best Novelty Design: Unroll this DogNMat Taco Snuffle Dog Toy, and there are all sorts of hiding spots for treats and kibble. Tuck them in all the fabric cheese and greens or inside the middle section that is secured with sturdy velcro. There are crinkly spots and a squeaker, so it doubles as a toy. The mat comes gift-wrapped to look like a real taco.
The taco is relatively small so it might not be very challenging for big dogs or pups that are pros at puzzle and snuffle toys. One of our testers said their dog got through it pretty quickly but thought it would be a great gift for a dog owner.
There are many designs from this seller, including sushi, fortune cookies, and a picnic spread. They can all be customized with your pet’s name and can be machine washed and tumble dried. They have closures to roll them up when not in use.
Available in one size.
Best For Puppies: For a pup that is just starting out in the world of snuffle feeding, this is a great mat. It doesn’t have pockets or flaps, but there’s plenty of room to bury and sprinkle food in the fleece fabric strips. It’s relatively easy to figure out and comes in three color combinations.
One of the best features is that the mat has small hooks on the base so you can attach several mats together to create one that is the best size for your dog and their meals. As with all mats, your dog should be supervised when using this mat. Some pets may be tempted to eat the hooks or gnaw off parts of the plastic backing.
Although it’s pretty straightforward, without little pockets or crannies to stow treats, the mat offers variety because you don’t put food in the same exact place each time. Our tester thought it was good quality, easy to clean, and liked that you can attach more mats to make it bigger.
Available in one size.
Best For Treats: Handmade from organic cotton, this mat is different from most, because it has curled shag strips that can make it even more challenging to find treats. Just bury them in the mat, including in the curled folds, or sprinkle them on the surface. The mat is machine washable and durable.
The Paw 5 Snuffle Mat is made in Ghana with ethically sourced materials, and the company supports factories that promise equality for women. The materials are made from pre-consumer fabric left over from the industrial textile industry. The mat is a little smaller and a little more expensive than most.
Our tester had tried many ways to slow down a food-obsessed pup and said this mat was the only thing that actually helped. It was easy to clean with just a quick shake and the only negative was that it didn’t stay in place very well.
Available in one size.
Best Bowl: The shaggy Pet Parents Forager Bowl is kind of a combination puzzle bowl and snuffle mat. The material absorbs slobber and small amounts of liquid and has a non-slip backing to keep it from skidding while your pup eats. The bowl is machine washable and has a drawstring to make it easy to take on the road.
Our tester said the material was very soft and easy on a dog’s nose and the mat was high quality. It was simple to prepare at mealtime: Just dump in the kibble and mix it around with your hand.
Three bowls offer different levels of difficulty. The Meadow Ponds is for beginners, offering shorter areas where kibble can be collected. The Meadow Natural is a little more difficult and the Forest Gray is the most challenging, with no colors or easy spots.
Available in one size.
In addition to our winners and recommended snuffle mats, we also tested:
Frisco Pizza Snuffle Mat: This pizza-shaped mat is really cute. It’s very big and doesn’t have a load of hiding spots. But if you have multiple pets, our tester liked that you can use a “slice” for each pup at mealtime. It’s also reasonably priced and machine washable.
Frisco Vending Machine Snuffle Mat: One of our testers called this the Cadillac of snuffle mats because it’s so large and has more than a dozen different places to hide treats. But the back of the mat was very slippery, causing the humans to nearly wipe out. Enclosed suction cups didn’t keep it in place.
Lambwolf Collective Berry Pie: This clever pie-shaped mat is certainly unique and fun to look at. Our tester’s dog found it challenging but it’s small so it might not work for big dogs. After a few sessions, stuffing was coming out of one of the berries.
LAMTWEK Snuffle Mat for Dogs: This is a pretty basic snuffle mat that just has what resembles plush blades of grass. It was pretty easy for the tester pup to quickly find all the treats and the mat didn’t seem to hold up very well. This might be OK for a beginner, but there are other more interesting and challenging options.
OurMiao Silicone Snuffle Mat for Dogs: This silicone mat is a good option if your pup is a chewer and has destroyed fabric mats. You can use it for dry food, soft treats, or even things like peanut butter or yogurt. It’s easy to clean but the suction cups don’t really keep it in place on the floor.
Piggy Poo and Crew Rooting Snuffle Pig Mat: This colorful mat isn’t terribly big, but has several areas to hide food including strips of fabric and many-layered cups. After a couple washes, the fabric started to pill, so we’re not sure how durable it will be in the long run. It’s about a medium challenge – not too tough but not just for beginners.
Sniffiz SmellyMatty Snuffle Mat for Dogs: This mat has a big flower shape in the middle surrounded by petals. It also includes six mini treat puzzles that hold snacks and slide into the sides of the mat. Our tester liked carrying around the mini puzzles, but that’s a lot of pieces to keep track of.
Spanomic Snail Snuffle Dog Mat: Shaped like a snail, this toy unrolls so you can hide treats inside it. One tester pup had trouble unrolling the snail and getting through the velcro closure, but the pup had fun with it as a squeaky, plus toy.
ZMUBB Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs: This snuffle mat is very large with lots of compartments, making it easy for several friendly dogs in a home to use it at once. One of our testers said she plans on using it as a special reward during training sessions.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Activity Matz: This cute activity mat combines a snuffle mat with activity games. It rolls up easily for storage and has a non-slip mat. It’s a challenging mat for puppies and just the right size.
This article was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, a contributor for The Spruce Pets, who has personally used dozens of snuffle mats over the years. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than 75 dogs and puppies, and almost all have exclusively eaten their meals in snuffle mats or puzzle toys. She is always trying new products to keep the dogs in her care entertained, healthy, and safe.
DiLonardo recently fostered an Australian Shepherd puppy named Cobalt who was utterly obsessed with food and conditioned to eat quickly. During the three weeks under her care—before he was adopted—Cobalt learned to sniff out each piece of food using the Stellaire Chern Snuffle Mat, our pick for best overall.
Dogs need a break from the heat just like humans, and they're also at risk of overheating when temperatures spike. You can keep your dog safe on hot days by providing plenty of drinking water and time indoors. But if you'd like to give them extra relief, one of the best dog cooling mats or pads is an excellent option.
To help you find the best cooling mat for your dog, I tested 10 popular designs with my pitbull mix, Marty McFly. In addition, my editor's senior hound mix, Homer, was happy to test, too. All in all, we've tested 18 cooling mats and blankets. Both of our pups are the perfect testers since they both tend to splay out on hardwood and tile floors when they're feeling hot.
After a series of tests, we found the best overall mat is the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad, with its strong cooling powers and durable materials. It's the priciest mat in this guide aside from our crate pick, but less expensive quality options exist, including a water mat and pads made of heat-wicking fabrics.
Are you interested in learning more about matte pet? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.
Best overall: Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad - See at Chewy
Best for large dogs: Arf Pets Self-Cooling Gel Pad - See at Chewy
Best for crates: EveryYay Cool Orthopedic Dog Crate Mat - See at Amazon
Best for outdoors: K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III - See at Chewy
Best for travel: Bedsure Cooling Mat - See at Chewy
Best for the sofa: Lesure Premium Cooling Blanket - See at Amazon
My top choice for the best dog cooling mats, the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad, earned high points in all of my tests. Its cooling powers lie in the pressure-activated gel that absorbs a dog's body heat for up to three hours.
This mat is a longtime favorite of Homer, the senior pup of Lisa Sabatini, senior pets editor for Business Insider Reviews. He stretches out on it year-round. As soon as I unpacked it, Marty didn't hesitate to flop down in his preferred resting position: a full-bodied splay. Dogs who prefer a bit of padding may also like the cushioning of the thin but solid gel-filled interior.
In my testing, I measured only 2.8 degrees of heat transfer, considerably less than I observed with most mats. The manufacturer says that after three hours of continuous use, you'll need to "recharge" it by setting it aside for 20 minutes so the gel can regain its cooling abilities.
The mat's nylon exterior is super durable, and my dog's nails never left any scratches behind. It's easy to wipe clean, but oily smudges like those from peanut butter may leave faint stains. If that's a concern, machine-washable covers in several pastel colors are sold separately.
While the Cool Pet Pad comes in a wide range of sizes, there isn't an option for giant breed dogs.
If you have a giant breed dog or pups who like to share, our top pick, the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad, might not be big enough for them. Instead, consider the 33-inch-by-55-inch Arf Pets Self-Cooling Gel Pad.
This pad cools just as well as our best overall pick and is less expensive. However, it didn't make it to the top of our list because it offers less cushioning and has a more slippery surface that isn't ideal for dogs who are prone to instability. Still, it's an excellent choice for many extra-large pups and multi-dog households.
My 55-pound Marty had more than enough room to stretch out on this mat. In fact, two Martys could easily fit on it. I sat on it, too, and although it's a firmer surface than the Cool Pet Pad, I found it comfortable.
The mat stayed in place when I ran Marty across it, but his longer nails did slide a bit. So, if your dog is prone to sliding and instability, this isn't a good option for them.
That said, I liked how easy it was to wipe the smooth material clean, and its darker color hides stains well.
Most cooling mats are thin and not the best choice for long snoozes in a crate. A thick cooling crate pad with added foam support, however, ups the comfort quotient for pups. The EveryYay mat has a 3-inch egg-crate foam core that molds to a dog's body for extra comfort. Its cover is a cool, silky, mesh-like fabric that provides refreshing relief on hot days. The mat comes in several sizes to match the dimensions of most of the best dog crates. In addition to neutral gray, it comes in a bright teal fabric.
My dog tends to be picky about beds, but it took very little persuasion to get him to lie down on the mat and sink into the cushy egg-crate foam. After Marty lay on it for 30 minutes, the bed's surface temperature increased by 4 degrees. While there was some heat transfer, it remained well below his body temperature. Sabatini sat on the bed herself for 20 minutes and could feel the cooling sensation the entire time.
It's durable and waterproof, and the ability to toss the removable cover in the washer and dryer is a big bonus. If you have an older or arthritic dog who could use a little more cushion, the Bedsure Cooling Dog Bed comes in a few crate-compatible sizes and is made of the same egg-crate foam. "I was really impressed by the extra comfort provided by the polyester-filled quilted cover, and it cools just as well as the EveryYay mat," Sabatini says of the 35-inch-by-22-inch bed that fit perfectly inside her dog's crate.
If your dog loves the great outdoors, the K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III is perfect for chilling outside. The water-filled bed wicks heat away from your dog while maintaining a surface temperature close to the surrounding environment.
The directions say to place it in the shade, but Sabatini also set it out on a sunny deck where it worked surprisingly well. After Marty lay on it for half an hour indoors, its surface temperature rose by only 3.6 degrees. Outdoors on the deck sans dog, its surface temperature went up 3 degrees over the course of an hour.
With a thin foam insert and adjustable firmness (just add more water), the bed has a squishy, pillowy feel. Marty liked to burrow his nose into it. Dogs who like a firmer bed might hesitate, though. The sturdy cover is puncture-resistant, but you should still place it on a smooth surface free of sharp debris.
Filling the bed with water takes several minutes, and it's awkward to move after that. The good news is that you don't have to empty it between uses. If you need to recharge it, leave it inside an air-conditioned space until it cools down. Be sure to read the manufacturer's directions for how to prevent the foam insert from bunching up when moving it around.
The best cooling mat for travel is actually a lightweight, heat-absorbing mat with a nonslip bottom. While it won't cool as effectively as a gel or water-filled pad, Sabatini says the Bedsure Cooling Mat has a luxurious, silky cover that is very cool to the touch.
Over two weeks of testing, her dog often rotated between this mat and the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad. She sat on the mat for 10 minutes and found the temperature increased from 75.8 degrees to 84.4 degrees during that time. That said, it returned to room temperature in just five minutes.
The mat is easy to fold, roll, and tuck into small spaces. Should you take your dog on a road trip and find yourself dealing with a jam-packed trunk, it won't take up any valuable vehicular real estate. You can also lay the smaller-sized mats across the back seat or inside a dog car seat. Even more, the mat comes in five sizes that are compatible with many dog crates.
Although the material feels quite delicate, Sabatini used a fork to simulate a dog's nails, and the fabric did not snag. It also came out of the washing machine in great shape and air-dried within a few hours.
If your pup loves to lounge with you on the sofa or in bed, a regular cooling mat won't cut it. Gel mats perform best on hard floors, and our travel pick doesn't cover as much area as the heat-wicking Lesure Pet Cooling Blanket, which comes in a range of sizes up to a twin bed.
I was immediately impressed by the cool feel of the fabric, which also has an appealing silkiness and cute cloud embroidered pattern. My dog always enjoys being rolled into a blanket burrito, so this blanket was an easy sell. He stayed in his blanket cocoon for a full 30 minutes.
The material's starting temperature was 77.9 degrees, and after, it measured 80.8 degrees. I then followed up by draping it over my lap. While some of Marty's residual body heat carried over and took away from the cooling sensation, I still enjoyed the blanket's breathability and softness of the fabric.
I machine-washed the blanket and didn't notice any difference in its texture or durability. However, some reviewers say that repeated washes can take a toll on the blanket's quality over time. It is labeled air or line-dry only, and its light weight helps it dry within a few hours.
I asked two veterinarians what's important to consider when shopping for a cooling mat. There are a few key things to consider, including your dog's size, where you plan to use it, and what materials are best.
Size: Dr. Sam Meisler, veterinarian and founder of PetWell Clinic, says size is your first priority. You'll want to choose a mat that allows your dog to rest its entire body on it so it's not hanging off the sides. In terms of length and width, leave a bit of extra space so that your dog can remain cool even if it shifts around on the mat.
Use: My experts say that gel mats, water mats, and cooling blankets all achieve the same goal of wicking heat away from the body, but different types of mats can work better in different contexts. Gel mats are recommended for indoor use only, as extended time outdoors may compromise the gel's effectiveness. Water mats work well both indoors and outdoors, and while they require some setup, they don't need to recharge and can be used continuously. Blankets are lightweight, portable, and easier to introduce to dogs who don't gravitate toward mats.
Materials: Meisler and Dr. Karen Shaw Becker, veterinarian and author of The Forever Dog Life, say that anyone considering a gel mat must make sure it's labeled as nontoxic. "Beds that contain gel pose a risk because they're made with a variety of different chemicals that aren't meant for consumption," Becker says. While no dog should ingest large quantities of nontoxic gel, that designation from a reputable, well-known brand indicates that the gel won't present major health concerns if a small amount is consumed. As for the cover materials, I found nylon, vinyl, and polyethylene durable, comfortable, and cool.
Warranty: K&H Pet Products and Green Pet Shop offer limited warranties, while other brands provide none. Whether a warranty is worth narrowing your pool of potential mats depends on how much you value the peace of mind from that guarantee.
I evaluated the best dog cooling mats with my trusty accomplice, Marty McFly, my 55-pound pitbull mix. I ran all tests indoors for maximum temperature control and set my thermostat to 78 degrees. I conducted the following tests to compare how each mat measured up to the competition.
Cooling abilities: I first placed my hands on each mat to get a feel for its coolness. I then measured its surface temperature with an infrared thermometer. Next, I had Marty lie on the mat for 30 minutes and sat beside him on the mat during that time. Afterward, I measured the temperature again to see whether the mat retained heat from our bodies.
Safety of materials: Before testing, I checked each mat to ensure its materials were labeled nontoxic. Exterior materials like nylon, vinyl, and polyethylene are strong enough to withstand nail scraping and minor chewing. They're also nontoxic unless they're consumed in large quantities.
Comfort: After Marty settled down on each mat, I evaluated how comfortable he seemed. I observed whether he was happy to rest there for an extended time or immediately got back up. I also sat on each mat to evaluate its softness, moldability to the body, how easy it was to get on and off, and the mat's ability to accommodate bodies in different positions, such as seated and lying down.
Durability: After Marty spent time on each mat and moved around, I examined the materials for wear and tear. I also ran a fork over the surface of each mat 20 times to see if the materials tore or incurred any damage.
Skid resistance: I put Marty on a leash and ran him across each mat 10 times as it was laid on a laminate floor. I observed whether the mats slid around on the ground and whether Marty's feet slipped on their surfaces.
Ease of cleaning: I smeared a tablespoon of peanut butter and a tablespoon of mud onto each mat, then let them sit for 24 hours. I cleaned each mat according to the manufacturer's instructions. I recorded how long the process took, whether I needed any special equipment or supplies, the general ease of the experience, and how effectively it removed the mud and peanut butter, along with any organic materials that were left behind after testing, like drool and hair.
The short answer is yes, but even the best dog cooling mats have their limitations. "By using gel, water, and/or special fabrics, the mats absorb heat from a dog's body, which makes them feel cooler," Meisler says. There are, however, a few caveats that could reduce a cooling mat's effectiveness. Becker says a mat might be a waste of money if your dog doesn't typically use mats or beds. It's also important to remember that a cooling mat is intended to provide added comfort. Proper hydration and a cool environment are the most important things to provide your dog. "If the ambient temperature is excessive, a cooling mat alone is not enough to prevent heat stroke or overheating," says Becker.
Meisler and Becker agree that cooling mats are generally safe for dogs, but it's important to do your research before ordering a mat. Above all else, Becker says to pay attention to the quality of a mat's construction and types of materials and coatings. Look for brands that use puncture-resistant materials like nylon, and always choose materials labeled as nontoxic. Most importantly, closely supervise your dog when introducing new items. "If you have a dog that tends to chew or eat their toys and/or bedding, all mats could be a choking or GI obstruction risk," Becker says. If you know that your dog is a tenacious chewer, never leave them with a cooling mat without supervision.
Meisler says that while pets can sleep on a cooling mat, it doesn't mean they should. While nothing about the mats themselves makes them unsafe for sleeping, Meisler encourages people to pay attention to their dog's preferences, as they have keen instincts for what makes them feel comfortable and happy. "Just like humans, some dogs may prefer a cooler surface for shorter periods versus a prolonged amount of time," he says. "While prolonged use might be safe, it isn't always advisable or necessary. Dogs regulate their body temperature through various means. It is essential they have access to normal temperatures to prevent muscle stiffness or other issues." Becker says many cooling mats, especially gel-filled ones, have limits for how long they can sustain their cooling properties before needing to be recharged. "Don't assume that the mat will continue to cool your pup past about 4 hours, and never rely on any mat or bed to prevent overheating or heat stroke," she says.
Always follow a manufacturer's instructions for storing a mat. In general, avoid storing cooling mats in direct sunlight, in high-temperature areas, or in places where they could get wet.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website metalized bopp film properties.