Snuffle mats are all the rage amongst pet parents right now, but I think it’s time to take a deep dive into them, to figure out why they’re so great (or not,) if they’re suitable for all dogs, and how they can benefit both pet parent and pet lives alike when used in the right way. Are you sitting comfortably, folks? If so, I shall begin with the top 10 snuffle mats for English bulldogs.
What is a snuffle mat?
A snuffle mat is a mat that has lots of threads, pockets, and/or hidden sections, designed for hiding food and encouraging dogs (or cats) to sniff, snuffle, and hunt them out.
Most snuffle mats are better suited to dry food rather than wet food – things like kibble, dental sticks, and other treats. Some are machine washable and can be used with wet food, though. I recommend taking a look at the item description and details before adding squishy wet food that can’t be washed out.
The last thing we need is a destroyed snuffle mat, right?
So, you (the pet parent) hide little bits of kibble or treats in amongst the threads and trails, or in the pockets/hidden segments.
Then, you pop the snuffle mat down on the floor and let your bulldog free.
Your bulldog will need to sniff, snuffle, hunt, circle, scratch, and more, to get to the food that they might not be able to see clearly.
Snuffle mats slow down the feeding process, avoiding indigestion and regurgitation. They also provide enrichment to your bulldog, encouraging them to use their mental skills and senses – like they would’ve needed to do “in the wild.”
Snuffle mats can help with destructive behaviour, boredom, keeping your pets occupied, and more. You’ll learn more as you work through the list of top 10 snuffle mats for your English bulldog.
Speaking of which…
Top 10 snuffle mats for your English bulldog
Each of these snuffle mats for bulldogs have received great, high ratings, but that’s not the only reason they’ve been hand-selected by the Planet Bulldog team to feature on this list. They have their own special properties and designs, are suitable for different types or sizes of doggos, and we have or would personally buy them for Frank the Bulldog.
We’d never recommend something that we wouldn’t personally give to our own four-legged tank, it’s as simple as that.
Rainbow Snuffle Mat
Teddy Bear Snuffle Mats are a small UK business with some fabulous designs and items on Etsy. Made from fleece fabric on a rubber matting base, you can’t choose the colours, but you can choose from one of four sizes: extra small, small, medium, and large.
Reviews for all products, not just the snuffle mat, are consistently rated five stars. These include snuffle balls and various mat designs, and they’re great for cat, dog, and even rabbit enrichment!
A 2022 study proved there was a “direct connection between the olfactory bulb and occipital lobe” in dogs – the first direct connection found in any species so far.
To break this down, the study proved a direct link between the section of the brain that is responsible for working out information from smells (olfactory bulb,) and the part of the brain that processes information from sight (occipital lobe.)
Sight and smell are very, very closely linked – which makes snuffle mats the perfect enrichment item to stimulate and exercise both parts of the brain. Your bulldog must smell out the kibble or treats from between the strands and threads, whilst also using sight see where they’re going.
Food or treats from a snuffle mat are going to work your dog’s senses of sight and smell a lot more than simply serving the food up in a dish or bowl.
Snuffles Large Handmade Snuffle Mat
If you want to support a small Yorkshire business, this one is definitely one you should take a closer look at. Offering a range of homemade dog enrichment products, Snuffles makes all items to order, all packaging is 100% recyclable, and all orders are given FREE UK shipping.
Snuffles states:
“Stimulate your pet’s senses and let them have fun while learning. The Snuffle Mat can be used in multiple ways, including as a slow feeder for kibble diets, promoting mobility, relaxation, and distraction for your dog, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.”
And those are just a few of the reasons why snuffle mats are such a great idea for your bulldog! We’ll dive a little deeper into some of the others as we work through this list of top 10 snuffle mats for your English bulldog.
Emwel Dog Snuffle Mat
The Emwel Snuffle Mat offers a variety of interactive experiences and puzzles, including little bowls, flaps, pockets, threads, and pull-out/push-in puzzles. It folds into a compact and slimline shape that measures 37cm by 37 cm (14.6 inches by 14.6 inches,) and when unfolded measures 71 cm by 71 cm (28 inches by 28 inches.) Your bulldog will get plenty of exercise, circling the mat, sniffing through it, and trying to work out how to get to the treats inside!
The threads are made from high-quality polar fleece, which are tear-resistant, non-toxic, soft, and durable alongside being colourful and fun for your bully. It also has an anti-slip base, an anti-flip design, and you can handwash or machine wash the mat.
Dog’s Trust Snuffle Mat
Measuring 11 inches by 16 inches (28 cm by 40.5 cm,) the Dog’s Trust Snuffle Mat gives you the option to support homeless and in-need dogs whilst also providing enrichment and stimulation to your own bulldog. We love that, don’t you?
Made from equal parts cotton and polyester, it’s soft, enticing, and can be thrown in the washing machine once it gets dirty.
As Dog’s Trust states:
“Bury treats inside the mat to… encourage natural foraging skills.”
Your bully will need to work for their food, sniffing it out from between the snuffle pieces, which slows down eating, makes them use their brain, and keeps them stimulated and entertained for much longer than an average bowl-fed meal.
Snuffle Pup® Snuffle Mat
This snuffle mat offers much more than your average one, with three different difficulty levels, ten different puzzles or training elements to solve, and a compact roll-up design that makes it easy to transport and stash away when you’re not using it.
There are removable suction cups on the base, which makes it more secure, particularly for older bulldogs or those with limb injuries/damage. It’s also machine washable, making it quick and easy to clean as well as quick and easy to store and use.
You can choose from four colours:
- Pink
- Grey
- Blue
It’s suitable for all dog sizes, measuring 66 cm by 44 cm (26 inches by 17.5 inches,) and it was initially created for the now-late pet of Snuffle Pup® parents, Hugo the black labrador. May he rest in doggy heaven.
Original Ruffle Snuffle Cube®
I know, I know… this one isn’t technically a snuffle mat, but it is a Snuffle Cube, which works in the same way, but in a different shape. What makes this snuffle item great is that it was designed and created by an expert in the field of animal enrichment and behaviour, Sarah-Jane White MSc.
Snuffle cubes, mats, and other enrichment devices and gadgets are great for bulldogs that are getting on in the years. Senior dogs can face mental decline, but toys and puzzles like these keep their minds working and occupied, which helps to delay cognitive decline and other issues.
Oliumt Snuffle Mat
Reviewed very highly by dog parents, cat parents, and even bunny and ferret parents alike, this snuffle mat is also great for pigs, apparently! It measures 39 cm by 39 cm (14.5 inches by 15.4 inches) and comes in two different colours – blue and brown.
As Oliumt states in the product description, using a snuffle mat for feeding or treats can help to lower your doggo’s stress levels, which can come in particularly handy around times of high noise, high traffic, or other high stress (to dogs) situations.
Dogs have a “thing” that they do by nature – hence why some breeds are known as working dogs, ratting dogs, hunting dogs, etc. Bulldogs, once upon a time, were used to take down bulls, hence the name.
They might be lazy little chonkers, but bulldogs still need something to chase or hunt, then take down, just as they would with bulls. Not all of us can fit a bull into the living room (nor would we want to,) so other tasks, puzzles, and enrichment items need to take that place.
Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and similar products help to take that place.
Vivifying Snuffle Mat
Not just great for senior dogs, snuffle mats are great for encouraging puppies to develop their foraging instincts – but that’s not all! Bouncy, active, and energetic pups can release some of their pent-up energy during their quest for treats or kibble.
This interactive snuffle mat can be easily bundled up into a small-ish disc that measures 24 cm in diameter (9.4 inches.) When fully unfolded, the mat measures 43.1 cm in diameter (17 inches.) It’s available in a whole bunch of different colours:
- Blue and green
- Green and orange
- Pink and yellow
- Red and orange
- Yellow and purple
With more than 1,000 reviews, almost all of which are brilliantly positive, this is definitely one of the top 10 snuffle mats for bulldogs to take a closer look at!
LAMTWEK Snuffle Mat
Measuring 43 cm by 53 cm (17 inches by 21 inches,) this is the perfect snuffle mat for bulldogs in terms of size, and it’s a slightly different design when compared to the rest on this list. It has more of a super-plush carpet effect, with lots of little “tendrils.”
For bulldogs, using this snuffle mat would be similar to snuffle for food outside in the grass – which makes it perfect for apartment/flat doggos.
Sniffing is vital for dogs, for a wide variety of reasons, and as humans, we naturally take away the opportunity for dogs to sniff. This might be tugging them along on a walk when they stop to sniff a spot, stopping them from getting close to things in the garden (that they intend to sniff,) and/or not giving them the opportunity to go outside – such as apartment dogs.
When you take away the sniffing action, your bulldog will more than likely grow depressed. It is a vital part of their behaviour and biology, and you can give them plenty of sniffing opportunities by offering enrichment toys such as snuffle mats.
According to vet and experts, 20 to 30 minutes of sniffing (then, mentally processing) can mentally stimulate and physically exhaust your doggo just as much as an hour of brisk walking without any sniff breaks.
You should totally let your doggo sniff more.
DIY Snuffle Mat
Dog’s Trust has a great tutorial on how to make your very own snuffle mat for bulldogs (or any other breed) on their website, which you can find right here.
Easy, cheap, and a great way to use up old clothes or blankets that you were thinking of getting rid of, the DIY snuffle mat is as machine washable as the materials you choose to use, and you can make it completely custom to your four-legged friend!
The website suggests using things like an old fleece, jumper, or throw – but as long as it’s safe, non-toxic, and friendly for your doggo, you can use your imagination and use whatever is at hand.
Snuffle mat safety tips
As with all things related to your four-legged friends, there are some snuffle mat safety tips you should know before you give them their new toy.
- Always ensure snuffle mats are made from non-toxic, high-quality, durable materials.
- Bulldogs shouldn’t use snuffle mats unsupervised.
- Snuffle mats aren’t suitable for all dogs – very aggressive chewers, for example.
- Don’t leave the snuffle mat out when not in treat/food use.
- Regularly check for rips, loose parts, or other damage.
- Mats should be regularly (and thoroughly) cleaned to prevent bacteria (etc.) buildup.
- Torn, ripped, or otherwise damaged snuffle mats pose a choking/blockage/ingestion risk.
- Avoid constant or prolonged use, which can cause frustration.
- Regularly check your bulldog for any signs of irritation or allergies.
- Always make sure the mat is secured and on a stable, flat surface to prevent injuries.
- Avoid sharing the same mat with two or more dogs to avoid resource guarding and/or jealousy.
- Work snuffle mats into your bulldog routine gradually and slowly.
Top 10 snuffle mats for your English bulldog: conclusion
There you have then: the top 10 snuffle mats for bulldogs that work as slow-feeders, mental stimulators, and life enrichment items, all at once. We love a multitasking item, don’t you?
We hope you’ve found what you’re looking for today, here on Planet Bulldog! Why not take a peek around the rest of the site while you’re here, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, queries, or recommendations.
(We’d also love to see your beautiful bully, too!)