You’re looking for something to keep your dog happily occupied and you quickly come across two products: a snuffle mat and a lick mat. They’re often mentioned in the same breath, but they do different things. One is mainly about searching, the other about licking food off a surface.
Which is better? That mostly depends on your dog and on when you want to use it. Below I’ll help you choose, without having to buy both right away.
The difference at a glance
| Snuffle mat | Lick mat | |
|---|---|---|
| What does your dog do? | Searches for food between strips or in hiding spots | Licks soft, suitable food off a textured surface |
| Good for | Nose work and a search game | A calm feeding moment and licking |
| Which food? | Usually dry kibble or small dry treats | Only food that suits your dog and stays on the mat |
| What to look for | Secure stitching, the right size, washable | Safe material, stable base, easy to clean |
| Common mistake | Hiding too much or making it too hard | Using too much food, or a mat your dog can chew to pieces |
When should you choose a snuffle mat?
A snuffle mat usually consists of fabric strips or pockets where you hide kibble. Your dog goes looking with their nose. Some mats are very simple, others have extra flaps or complicated hiding places.
I’d mainly consider a snuffle mat if your dog loves to sniff, you want to use their normal kibble for a game, and you’re after an activity that doesn’t involve tearing around the room.
Start simple. The first time, scatter a few pieces of kibble on top of the mat. Once your dog understands that’s where the food is, you can tuck it a little deeper between the strips. There’s no need to build a big puzzle.
When buying, check the size, the quality of the seams, the material and the washing instructions. If your dog tends to rip up or eat fabric, choose a different kind of game.
When should you choose a lick mat?
A lick mat has a surface with ridges, grooves or other textures. You spread a small amount of suitable soft food over it, so your dog can calmly lick it off.
A lick mat can be handy if you want to offer a measured portion of food in a different way. But not every dog stays calm with one. Some try to pick the mat up or chew it to pieces. So always watch how your dog handles it.
Choose a mat that’s easy to clean thoroughly. Food can get stuck between small ridges. Also check that the mat is sturdy enough and doesn’t keep sliding across the floor.
Check the ingredients
Only use food that is suitable for dogs and fits your dog’s normal diet. Always check the ingredients of ready-made products. If you have doubts about diet, allergies or medical conditions, talk to a vet.
For a large dog: what matters?
A small mat isn’t automatically unsuitable for a bigger dog, but pay extra attention to whether the product is both practical and safe. A lick mat needs to stay put. With a snuffle mat, the fabric strips and seams need to be strong enough for the way your dog uses it.
Measure the space you have and look at the actual product dimensions rather than relying only on a “suitable for large dogs” label. And a big dog can perfectly well start with an easy puzzle too.
Which is better for a dog that eats fast?
That depends on the food. With dry kibble, you could start with a simple snuffle mat or a suitable food toy. With suitable soft food, a lick mat may be an option. But if your dog eats in a hurry, there’s no single miracle product that solves everything.
Does your dog eat noticeably greedily, choke, or show other symptoms? Ask a vet for advice rather than just buying a gadget.
What would I look for when buying?
My short checklist:
- Behaviour: does your dog like to search, or prefer to lick calmly?
- Food type: do you want to use normal dry kibble, or a suitable soft portion?
- Safety: could your dog bite the mat to pieces or swallow parts of it?
- Cleaning: can you reach every corner properly after use?
- Difficulty: does your dog understand what to do without getting frustrated straight away?
- Price: try a free alternative first if you don’t yet know whether your dog enjoys this kind of game.
Want to try it without buying anything?
You can. For sniffing, a loosely rolled towel with a few pieces of kibble is an easy start, as long as your dog handles it safely and you keep an eye on them. Our article 9 games to keep your dog busy indoors has more ideas that need almost nothing.
Mia’s verdict
Who it’s for: the snuffle mat for dogs who love to search and don’t mind working a bit for their kibble. The lick mat for moments when you want to keep your dog calmly busy with a small portion of soft food.
What stood out: Mia understood the snuffle mat straight away and started searching enthusiastically. The lick mat had the opposite effect: it calmed her down and she kept licking until it was all gone.
What we’d do differently: not see one as a replacement for the other. The snuffle mat is for when Mia needs to burn off some energy, the lick mat for a quieter moment.
Favourite: the snuffle mat.
Mia Approved: yes, the snuffle mat.
My advice
If you mainly want a search game with dry kibble, I’d start with a simple snuffle mat. If you want your dog to lick off a suitable soft portion of food, a lick mat makes more sense. Don’t go straight for the most expensive model. The best choice is the mat that suits your dog, that you can easily clean and that stays safe while in use.
You’ll find more ideas for play and brain games on The Play Menu.
