10/14/2026
Tired dog mom hack volume 1: Cheesy Snuffle Mat!
I’m always looking for quick and easy enrichment activities I can do for Charlie while I’m making dinner, while we’re eating, or while I’m cleaning up the kitchen.
This is probably the easiest! I just sprinkle shredded cheese on a shuffle mat, tuck the cheese bits into the cracks, and let him go to town snuffling the goodness. The shreds are small so I don’t have to worry about giving him a ton of extra calories, and you can even tuck some kibble or other crunchy bits in there to mix things up.
A snuffle mat is usually made up of a plastic base with fabric material woven into it (often felt or fleece). You tuck food into the folds and cracks of the fabric and then your dog uses their nose to “snuffle” then out. Its a way to simulate a dog’s natural foraging behaviors. It’s super satisfying to watch a dog work a snuffle mat!
Enrichment doesn’t have to be complex and time consuming. It’s often about using the time and resources you have on hand to give your dog a little extra fun and stimulation while you’re busy doing other things. At least that’s what it looks like for me a lot of the time these days.
I could see someone asking if this makes the mat smelly; honestly, yes, my snuffle mat is a wee bit stinky after a couple years of steady use, but Charlie doesn’t care at all! If it bothers you, you can hand wash your mat and let it dry in the sun.
This snuffle mat is from our friend Erika who sells them in her Etsy shop; our very own Cory also makes them and sells them on the HTH site in our Toys + Enrichment Collection! Both are awesome and super high quality.
[id: a white person’s hand sprinkles shredded mozzarella cheese on a green and blue snuffle mat]
