Best Puzzle Toys and Snuffle Mats for Dogs

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A bored dog finds its own job, and it is usually chewing the sofa or barking at the window. Puzzle toys and snuffle mats give that energy somewhere to go: your dog sniffs, noses, spins and licks to get its kibble or treats. This page explains the main types, which dogs each one suits, how to use them safely, and four picks from our catalog.

The short answer: start with a snuffle mat if your dog has never used a puzzle, because it has no “solution” to work out. Add a stuffable rubber toy like the KONG Classic for longer sessions, and move to a spinning puzzle like the Outward Hound Dog Tornado once your dog gets the idea. Stay nearby, put fabric and plastic puzzles away when they are empty, and count what goes in toward your dog’s daily food.

How we wrote this: background and safety points come from the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center behavioral medicine team, the AKC and the ASPCA, linked where they are used. Product details come from each brand’s own pages and the independent reviews cited on our product pages. We have not tested these toys ourselves, and we do not list prices or star ratings because they change on Amazon.

Why puzzle toys help

The ASPCA says dogs need regular chances to play, chase, smell, chew and scavenge, and that dogs who do not get that stimulation tend to find their own, which shows up as unwanted behavior. It calls food puzzles a great way to slow down a dog’s eating and provide mental stimulation.

The Ohio State vet behavior team says puzzle toys can slow down fast eaters and tire a dog out by working its brain. They can be a distraction when your dog is left alone, and a dog can learn to settle with a toy in one spot. The AKC adds that snuffle mats help on days when extreme heat or cold limits time outdoors, and that senior dogs at risk of cognitive decline may particularly benefit from having a puzzle to solve.

A puzzle is not a cure for a behavior problem. If your dog is destructive or distressed when alone, see our page on crating a dog with separation anxiety and talk to your vet.

The main types

• Snuffle mats. Fleece or fabric strips on a backing, with kibble hidden in between. Ohio State says they have no “solution”, which makes them a gentle start, and they suit dogs with limited mobility because they stay in one place.
• Stuffable toys. Hollow rubber toys you fill with food. Ohio State says you can change the difficulty with what you put in and by freezing them, and lists the KONG as an example.
• Strategy puzzles. Your dog spins, slides or lifts parts to find treats. Ohio State lists Nina Ottosson puzzle games as examples, and says these suit dogs that need an extra challenge.
• Lick mats and slow-feeder bowls. Ohio State also counts these as enrichment. We cover lick mats in our best lick mats guide and slow bowls in slow feeder vs regular bowl.

Our picks

PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Mat

Best for: a first puzzle, fast eaters and calm indoor days.

A 12 x 18 inch mat with thick, grass-like cotton and polyester strips that you sprinkle kibble or treats into. It is machine washable and woven from leftover textile fabric. Reviewers cited on our product page liked how the dense strips slow a dog down; the downsides are no non-slip backing and a gray-only design. It is not for chewing, so put it away after each session.

KONG Classic

Best for: longer, quieter sessions and dogs that like to chew.

The hollow natural rubber KONG works as a chew toy, a fetch toy and a food puzzle. KONG rates the Classic for average chewers, and the Large size for dogs of about 30 to 65 lbs; the line runs from X-Small to XX-Large. It goes in the top rack of the dishwasher. Choose a size your dog cannot fit fully in its mouth. Puppies have their own softer KONG Puppy, and power chewers may need the KONG Extreme.

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado

Best for: food-motivated dogs ready for the next level.

A Level 2 (intermediate) spinning puzzle with three tiers, twelve compartments and three bone covers to make it harder, made from BPA, PVC and phthalate-free materials. A reviewer cited on our product page said dogs may need some coaching at first and that beginners can get frustrated. It is hand wash only and not a chew toy; Outward Hound says not to leave your dog alone with it.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl

Best for: turning every meal into a small puzzle with no extra effort.

A maze bowl with ridges your dog has to work around. Ohio State lists the Fun Feeder Slo-Bowl as an example of a slow-feeder bowl. It has a non-slip base and goes in the top rack of the dishwasher, though the narrow grooves are tedious to scrub by hand. Replace it if it cracks.

How to use a puzzle toy safely

The AKC suggests these steps for a snuffle mat, and most of them apply to any puzzle:

• Make it easy at first: sprinkle a few treats on top so your dog wins quickly.
• Have your dog wait while you fill it, and teach a start cue like “find it”.
• Always supervise, and pick the toy up after each use so your dog does not destroy it once the food is gone.
• Separate your dogs if you have more than one.
• Keep track of how much food goes in, so you do not overfeed.

The AKC also says snuffle mats are not a good choice for aggressive chewers, dogs that treat everything like a chew toy, or dogs that are not interested in treats.

Ohio State adds three cautions:

• Match the difficulty. Some dogs are easily frustrated if a task is too hard, and lose interest if it is too easy. Some toys also wind a dog up instead of calming it.
• Watch closely at first. Monitor your dog with any new toy to make sure it is not frustrated, stressed or trying to swallow pieces. Ohio State warns that swallowed pieces can be an emergency, causing choking or intestinal blockages that may need surgery. Check toys often for damage.
• Watch for guarding. In homes with several dogs, watch that no dog guards the toy. If your dog guards things from people or other pets, ask your vet or a behavior professional before you use food toys.

If your dog swallows part of a toy, or vomits, retches or seems in pain after playing, call your vet right away.

Cleaning

The AKC says dogs drool a lot while snuffling, so snuffle mats need regular washing, and having a second mat helps. Follow the maker’s instructions; the vet the AKC quotes suggests a pet-friendly detergent, a gentle warm wash and air drying. The AKC also suggests using small, dry treats in a snuffle mat and saving wet food for a lick mat, unless you plan to wash the mat after each use.

Free and homemade options

You do not need to buy anything to start. The ASPCA suggests a muffin tin with kibble in the cups and tennis balls on top, nested boxes with a smelly treat in the smallest one, a folded paper roll with treats inside, and a homemade snuffle mat from a high-pile bath mat or fleece strips tied to a rubber mat. It also suggests “find it” games: toss a treat near your dog, then make it harder, and let your dog stop and sniff on walks. The ASPCA asks you to supervise closely with DIY toys and to take any piece away if your dog tries to eat it.

For more on choosing toys by play style and size, see our dog and cat toys buying guide.

FAQ

Are snuffle mats good for dogs?

For most dogs that forage rather than chew, yes. The AKC says they turn sniffing into a rewarding game and help relieve boredom, and Ohio State says they encourage natural sniffing and foraging. They are not a good fit for dogs that chew or rip fabric.

Can I leave my dog alone with a puzzle toy?

Not with fabric or plastic puzzles. The AKC says to supervise snuffle mat use, and Outward Hound says not to leave a dog alone with the Dog Tornado. Even for rubber toys like the KONG Classic, KONG advises using them under supervision.

What is the best puzzle toy for a beginner dog?

A snuffle mat or an easy stuffable toy. Ohio State notes that snuffle mats have no “solution”, and the AKC suggests starting with treats on top so your dog finds them easily. Move to strategy puzzles once your dog enjoys the game.

How often should my dog use a puzzle toy?

The ASPCA says every meal is an opportunity for enrichment. Many owners feed part of a meal in a puzzle, as long as the food goes toward the daily total. Keep sessions positive and stop if your dog gets frustrated.

Are puzzle toys good for cats too?

Yes, and there are cat versions. See our best toys for indoor cats guide.