DIY Dog Enrichment Games Using Snuffle Balls & Mats
Moxie’s got that look again. You know the one—the “I’m bored, and if you don’t entertain me, I might make my own fun” look.
McLovin was always content with a nap, but Moxie? She’s a puzzle solver, a mischief-maker, a treat-seeking mastermind. If she doesn’t get her brain working, things will get destroyed.
Sound familiar?
That’s where snuffle balls and snuffle mats come in! They’re more than just treat holders—they’re the perfect way to turn mealtime into a fun, stimulating game.
Want to level up the fun even more? Here are some DIY enrichment games you can try with your pup using their favorite snuffle toys!
1. The Super Snuffle Challenge
This game is perfect for dogs who love a challenge!
🦴 What You Need:
✔ A snuffle mat or snuffle ball
✔ Your dog’s favorite treats or kibble
🔹 How to Play:
1️⃣ Hide some treats deep in the folds of the snuffle toy.
2️⃣ Add a few easy-to-find ones on top to get your pup started.
3️⃣ Let your dog sniff, search, and solve their way to every last crumb!
🧠 Why It Works:
Encourages natural foraging instincts
Slows down fast eaters
Builds confidence in puzzle-solving
Moxie lives for this game. She snuffles with laser focus, determined to find every last treat. McLovin? He was more of a "grab and go" eater—but even he couldn’t resist a good snuffle session!
2. Hide & Sniff Treasure Hunt
Turn snuffle time into a full-blown adventure with this indoor treasure hunt!
🦴 What You Need:
✔ A snuffle mat or ball
✔ Treats or kibble
✔ A few extra hiding spots (like under blankets, behind furniture, or inside a cardboard box)
🔹 How to Play:
1️⃣ Hide the snuffle toy somewhere in the room.
2️⃣ Let your dog sniff it out before they can start searching for treats.
3️⃣ For extra fun, hide small handfuls of kibble in a few other places.
4️⃣ Watch as your dog hunts down their rewards like a true detective!
🧠 Why It Works:
Engages their natural scent-tracking abilities
Adds an extra layer of fun to mealtime
Encourages independent problem-solving
Moxie turns into a full-on search-and-rescue dog with this game. She sniffs, circles, and celebrates every victory like she just found buried treasure.
3. Snuffle Bowl Mealtime Makeover
Does your dog inhale their food like a vacuum cleaner? Try using a snuffle ball instead of a regular bowl for mealtime!
🦴 What You Need:
✔ A snuffle ball
✔ Your dog’s daily kibble
🔹 How to Play:
1️⃣ Fill the snuffle ball with your dog’s regular meal.
2️⃣ Instead of just pouring it into a bowl, let them sniff and forage for their food.
3️⃣ If they’re struggling, start with loosely placed kibble and gradually make it harder over time.
🧠 Why It Works:
Slows down eating to prevent choking and bloating
Turns mealtime into a brain-boosting activity
Makes eating more exciting for picky eaters
McLovin would hoover down his food in 30 seconds flat. Once we started using a snuffle ball, he actually enjoyed his meals instead of inhaling them!
4. The Ultimate Tug & Snuffle Combo
Want to add a little extra playtime to snuffling? Try combining snuffle time with a tug-of-war session!
🦴 What You Need:
✔ A snuffle mat
✔ A cotton rope toy
✔ Treats or kibble
🔹 How to Play:
1️⃣ Place the snuffle mat on the floor and hide treats inside.
2️⃣ Hold one end of a rope toy and let your pup sniff for treats.
3️⃣ Each time they find a treat, invite them to a short game of tug!
4️⃣ Repeat until all the treats are found.
🧠 Why It Works:
Combines mental AND physical stimulation
Encourages engagement with you
Gives your pup a healthy energy outlet
Moxie loves this one. She gets the best of both worlds—sniffing for treats and getting her tug-of-war fix!
5. Snuffle & Seek: The Blanket Burrow Game
Some dogs love to burrow and dig—so why not turn it into a snuffle game?
🦴 What You Need:
✔ A snuffle mat
✔ A soft blanket or towel
✔ Treats or kibble
🔹 How to Play:
1️⃣ Lay the snuffle mat flat on the floor.
2️⃣ Sprinkle treats over it, then loosely cover with a blanket.
3️⃣ Let your pup sniff, dig, and burrow their way to the treats!
🧠 Why It Works:
Taps into natural digging instincts
Adds an extra challenge to snuffle time
Keeps dogs entertained longer!
McLovin was not a digger, but Moxie? She’ll burrow through anything to find hidden treats. This game is a dream for scent-driven pups!
Final Thoughts: Keep Snuffle Time Fun & Exciting!
Snuffle mats and snuffle balls aren’t just toys—they’re tools for better mental health, engagement, and fun!
✔ Encourages problem-solving
✔ Tires out high-energy dogs
✔ Makes mealtime more exciting
✔ Reduces anxiety and boredom
Whether your dog is a thinker like Moxie or a food-motivated pup like McLovin, snuffle games make every day a little more exciting!
Want to give your pup the ultimate enrichment experience? Check out our handmade fleece snuffle toys—designed for endless sniffing fun! 🐶✨
