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How to Build a Snuffle Toy at Home (Step-by-Step)
Dogs’ noses can detect 1 teaspoon of sugar in 2 Olympic pools—snuffle toys tap that talent.
Walks are important for mental and physical wellbeing, but for most Singapore dogs, life isn’t all Botanic Gardens strolls and Sentosa beach runs. Much of the day is spent cooped up in apartments, and that can mean boredom. Bored dogs chew slippers. Anxious dogs bark at the neighbours. The secret antidote? Let them use their nose.
Dogs’ sense of smell is extraordinary—scientists estimate it’s tens of thousands of times stronger than ours. Sniffing doesn’t just locate food; it can lower heart rate, reduce stress, and provide mental stimulation. Ten minutes of sniffing can leave your dog just as satisfied as a half-hour walk. That’s where snuffle toys come in.
A snuffle toy is essentially a puzzle that hides food and lets your dog hunt it out. It taps into their natural foraging instincts and turns dinner into a game. The best part? You don’t need to buy anything fancy to get started. Here are a few simple ways to DIY snuffle toys right at home.
Why Snuffle Toys Are So Good for Dogs
Sniffing is more than entertainment—it’s therapy. Dogs that use snuffle toys regularly often:
Bark less (because their energy is directed into foraging).
Show less destructive chewing.
Feel calmer before bedtime or when guests come over.
Eat slower, which improves digestion and reduces bloating.
Think of it as yoga + Sudoku for your dog—all in one.
Easy DIY Snuffle Toys You Can Make in Minutes
The Paper Towel Treasure Hunt
Take an empty paper towel or toilet roll tube.
Fold one end flat, pop in a handful of kibble or small treats, then fold the other end.
Hand it over and watch your dog roll, chew, and nose the tube until the food spills out.
Tip: For extra challenge, wrap the stuffed tube inside an old sock before giving it to your pup.
The Towel Roll-Up
Lay a towel flat and sprinkle a line of treats along the length.
Roll it up like a Swiss roll, tucking in treats as you go.
Place it on the floor and let your dog nose and paw their way through the layers.
Hack: For quick mealtime enrichment, pour your dog’s regular kibble inside instead of using treats. Slows down fast eaters beautifully.
The Egg Carton Puzzle
Grab an empty egg carton.
Drop a few treats into each cup.
Close the lid and hand it over.
Your dog will nudge, paw, and chew until they pop it open. The crinkling sound alone is enrichment!
Pro move: Place a tennis ball over each cup before closing the carton—this makes the puzzle twice as tricky.
The DIY Snuffle Mat
If you’re in the mood for craft:
Cut old fleece blankets or t-shirts into strips.
Knot them through the holes of a rubber sink mat until you’ve got a fluffy “grass patch.”
Scatter treats deep inside and let your pup forage.
It takes some time to make, but it’s washable and reusable—basically a homemade version of what you’d buy in stores.
Our Favourite Ready-Made Snuffle Toys
Of course, sometimes you just want the quick and clean version—no cutting, no egg cartons lying around. We get it. That’s why the PawPaw team tested a bunch of ready-made snuffle toys. These three stood out:
Beginner Set from Pawzler
$52
The Beginner Set puzzle offers hours of fun and mental stimulation for new pups with a mix of level 1 and 2 puzzles, ideal for interactive play introduction.
Snuffle Mat
$12
Made of premium fleece and felt material, this snuffle mat is soft and wearproof for reusable and long term use. Anti slip bottom design makes it not easy to move during use. A fastener tape design provides easy fixing.
Puzzle Feeder
$20
Puzzle feeders turn mealtime into a fun hunt, making your dog “work” for their food instead of just gobbling it up. This taps into their natural foraging instincts while keeping them mentally stimulated.
How to Get the Most Out of Snuffle Play
Supervise play. Especially with cardboard or fabric, to make sure nothing gets swallowed whole.
Start easy. Let treats poke out at first so your dog learns the game.
Mix up rewards. Use a combo of kibble and high-value treats (like tiny cheese cubes) to keep it exciting.
Rotate toys. Dogs, like kids, get bored—switch between towel rolls, egg cartons, and mats.
Use timing. A snuffle toy before you leave the house can ease departures. At night, it’s the perfect calm-down ritual.
Final Thought
Snuffle toys turn the ordinary—like a few kibbles—into something magical. They tap into what dogs love most: sniffing, hunting, problem-solving. Whether you fold a towel tonight or invest in a mat you’ll use daily, giving your dog the gift of sniffing is one of the simplest ways to raise a calmer, happier, more fulfilled companion.
And the best part? It’s fun for you to watch, too. 🐶
🐶
🐱
How to Build a Snuffle Toy at Home (Step-by-Step)
Dogs’ noses can detect 1 teaspoon of sugar in 2 Olympic pools—snuffle toys tap that talent.
Walks are important for mental and physical wellbeing, but for most Singapore dogs, life isn’t all Botanic Gardens strolls and Sentosa beach runs. Much of the day is spent cooped up in apartments, and that can mean boredom. Bored dogs chew slippers. Anxious dogs bark at the neighbours. The secret antidote? Let them use their nose.
Dogs’ sense of smell is extraordinary—scientists estimate it’s tens of thousands of times stronger than ours. Sniffing doesn’t just locate food; it can lower heart rate, reduce stress, and provide mental stimulation. Ten minutes of sniffing can leave your dog just as satisfied as a half-hour walk. That’s where snuffle toys come in.
A snuffle toy is essentially a puzzle that hides food and lets your dog hunt it out. It taps into their natural foraging instincts and turns dinner into a game. The best part? You don’t need to buy anything fancy to get started. Here are a few simple ways to DIY snuffle toys right at home.
Why Snuffle Toys Are So Good for Dogs
Sniffing is more than entertainment—it’s therapy. Dogs that use snuffle toys regularly often:
Bark less (because their energy is directed into foraging).
Show less destructive chewing.
Feel calmer before bedtime or when guests come over.
Eat slower, which improves digestion and reduces bloating.
Think of it as yoga + Sudoku for your dog—all in one.
Easy DIY Snuffle Toys You Can Make in Minutes
The Paper Towel Treasure Hunt
Take an empty paper towel or toilet roll tube.
Fold one end flat, pop in a handful of kibble or small treats, then fold the other end.
Hand it over and watch your dog roll, chew, and nose the tube until the food spills out.
Tip: For extra challenge, wrap the stuffed tube inside an old sock before giving it to your pup.
The Towel Roll-Up
Lay a towel flat and sprinkle a line of treats along the length.
Roll it up like a Swiss roll, tucking in treats as you go.
Place it on the floor and let your dog nose and paw their way through the layers.
Hack: For quick mealtime enrichment, pour your dog’s regular kibble inside instead of using treats. Slows down fast eaters beautifully.
The Egg Carton Puzzle
Grab an empty egg carton.
Drop a few treats into each cup.
Close the lid and hand it over.
Your dog will nudge, paw, and chew until they pop it open. The crinkling sound alone is enrichment!
Pro move: Place a tennis ball over each cup before closing the carton—this makes the puzzle twice as tricky.
The DIY Snuffle Mat
If you’re in the mood for craft:
Cut old fleece blankets or t-shirts into strips.
Knot them through the holes of a rubber sink mat until you’ve got a fluffy “grass patch.”
Scatter treats deep inside and let your pup forage.
It takes some time to make, but it’s washable and reusable—basically a homemade version of what you’d buy in stores.
Our Favourite Ready-Made Snuffle Toys
Of course, sometimes you just want the quick and clean version—no cutting, no egg cartons lying around. We get it. That’s why the PawPaw team tested a bunch of ready-made snuffle toys. These three stood out:
Beginner Set from Pawzler
$52
The Beginner Set puzzle offers hours of fun and mental stimulation for new pups with a mix of level 1 and 2 puzzles, ideal for interactive play introduction.
Snuffle Mat
$12
Made of premium fleece and felt material, this snuffle mat is soft and wearproof for reusable and long term use. Anti slip bottom design makes it not easy to move during use. A fastener tape design provides easy fixing.
Puzzle Feeder
$20
Puzzle feeders turn mealtime into a fun hunt, making your dog “work” for their food instead of just gobbling it up. This taps into their natural foraging instincts while keeping them mentally stimulated.
How to Get the Most Out of Snuffle Play
Supervise play. Especially with cardboard or fabric, to make sure nothing gets swallowed whole.
Start easy. Let treats poke out at first so your dog learns the game.
Mix up rewards. Use a combo of kibble and high-value treats (like tiny cheese cubes) to keep it exciting.
Rotate toys. Dogs, like kids, get bored—switch between towel rolls, egg cartons, and mats.
Use timing. A snuffle toy before you leave the house can ease departures. At night, it’s the perfect calm-down ritual.
Final Thought
Snuffle toys turn the ordinary—like a few kibbles—into something magical. They tap into what dogs love most: sniffing, hunting, problem-solving. Whether you fold a towel tonight or invest in a mat you’ll use daily, giving your dog the gift of sniffing is one of the simplest ways to raise a calmer, happier, more fulfilled companion.
And the best part? It’s fun for you to watch, too. 🐶
Hours
Monday – Friday
9am – 6pm
Hours
Monday – Friday
9am – 6pm