Why sniffing and licking are good for dogs
Sniffing is how dogs read the world, and Jae explains that a good sniffing session is real mental stimulation: a dog works to process the scents, and its breathing picks up, so there’s a little physical workout in it too. Licking does something different. The repetitive motion is calming and helps release feel-good endorphins, which makes a lick mat a useful way to bring a high-energy dog down before a nap or bedtime.
How snuffle mats and lick mats work
A snuffle mat is a piece of fabric with lots of folds or pockets where you hide dry food, so the dog has to forage it out with its nose. A lick mat has a textured surface you spread wet or sticky food across, like canned food or peanut butter, so the dog has to work it out of the nooks and crannies. Lick mats can also be frozen to stretch the time even further, which helps dogs that inhale their meals.
What to look for when you buy one
For snuffle mats, Jae looks for plenty of hiding spots (ideally enough to hold a whole meal, not just a few treats), durable construction without small rippable pieces that could be a choking hazard for shredders, and machine washability so cleanup is easy. For lick mats, she says dishwasher safe matters even more, since food gets stuck in the fine texture and the mats need cleaning between uses, especially with raw food.
Jae’s favorite mats
She points to a couple of shaggy, high-pile snuffle mats she rates for keeping dogs busy, including a large one that occupies her dog for 20 to 30 minutes, and to a budget silicone lick mat she’s used for years alongside a softer one made for anxious or easily frustrated dogs. She also keeps suction-cup lick mats on hand for bath time and grooming. The specific brands she names are in the video.
What food to use, and keeping it diet-friendly
Snuffle mats work with regular kibble or dry treats; lick mats are for softened kibble, wet or raw food, peanut butter, or yogurt. To avoid overfeeding, Jae’s simplest rule is to use the dog’s own meals for enrichment, or to trim the next meal a little if she’s added something extra.
The takeaway
Snuffle mats and lick mats are an easy way to give your dog mental work and a calmer evening using food you already have. Watch the full interview above for Jae’s specific picks and how she uses each one.
