How we test our snuffle mats

The Sniffgrove mat is a 19.2 by 19.2 inch (48 by 48 cm) square of dense shaker fleece, with a central fleece flower and branch and corner elements for hiding food, in three colorways: Sunny, Ocean and Earth.

Our criteria

1. Machine washable. A snuffle mat holds food dust and saliva, so it has to be washable for real, not just in theory. If a mat cannot survive being cleaned, it cannot be a feeding product. The Sniffgrove mat goes in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle, then air dries flat.
2. Works for dogs of different sizes. A mat that works for a Chihuahua may frustrate a Labrador, and the other way around. The 48 cm square spreads food across the central flower, the branches and the corners, so a big enthusiastic dog has enough hiding zones to stay busy and a small or timid dog can start in one corner and succeed.
3. Seams and fleece strips. An eager dog pulls on strips and petals with its nose and paws, so seams should hold and strips stay anchored under normal foraging. Fabric is soft by design, though, and a determined chewer can work a strip loose: a snuffle mat is a supervised game with short, put-away-after sessions, not a chew toy.
4. Base grip. A mat that slides is a mat that gets abandoned. The Sniffgrove mat has a non-slip backing, so an enthusiastic dog can lean in instead of chasing the mat across the kitchen floor.

If you want to see the criteria applied to your own buying decision, our buyer's guide turns them into a checklist you can use on any mat, and the puppy guide covers safe introductions for young dogs. Buyer photos and feedback are on our reviews page. Curious about the category itself? Start with what a snuffle mat is or the evidence in are snuffle mats good for dogs.