So what are snuffle mats and how do they work?
Using interactive snuffle mats, balls and toys was a new thing for me and to be honest I never really saw any benefit to them, that was until I needed one and then all became clear!
For thousands of years the majority of a dogs daily routine, for their entire lifetime, would have been foraging and seeking food. After all when you are solely responsible for your own food and water you take this pastime very seriously indeed.
A dogs ability to smell, not only a potential food source, but also to pick up on any disease, the sex and status of nearby dogs and what animal has past by many hours beforehand is extraordinary. Sniffing and the act of foraging produces the feel-good neurotransmitter, Dopamine which acts as an immediate reward to the dog, bringing with it a sense of calm and safety.
When a dog stops to sniff something interesting, the particles enter the nasal cavity and then the incoming air is required for two different tasks. The air carries on to provide oxygen the dog needs for survival, but the concentrated scent is taken straight to the brain for processing. And then something even more incredible happens. The dog exhales through the specialist slits at the corners of the nose, which avoids having to breathe out directly through the front of the nose and therefore interrupting the incoming scent. This means the dog can bring in scent continuously and send it straight to the brain for processing huge amounts of information on the surroundings they are exploring. A dog’s nostrils can even work independently from each other. The right nostril detects fear, and aggression and assesses if they should flee and the left nostril is used more to detect food and to process if another dog is calm or familiar to them. Dogs are also very sensitive to our emotions and can pick up on our own stress, fear and anxieties but equally know when we are calm and relaxed.
We all live in a very stressful world nowadays and that goes for our dogs too. They no longer have the freedom to forage or exercise at their own pace, they are exposed to the stresses of a household, have their friends, canine and otherwise, chosen for them and often have little choice in where they sleep or what they eat. Many of us, me included have rescue dogs that can be particularly unsettled when they first arrive and can have issues resulting from their previous lifestyle.
Stress and anxiety trigger the sympathetic nervous system to release stress chemicals which set off the response for fight or flight. With a stressed, nervous or hyper-aroused dog we need to calm the sympathetic nervous system and activate the “Rest & Digest” aka Parasympathetic system to reduce the stress levels right down. One way of doing this is to allow them or give them opportunities to sniff and explore with their mouths. This is where the folds of a snuffle mat come into play and we can help our dogs use their ancient skill of scent work and foraging to release those calming, feel-good hormones.
Additional advice on managing stress and anxiety can be found on the anxious dog blog here https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/news/anxious-dog
I first started using snuffle mats & snuffle balls when my elderly dog became blind. He was stressed and quite depressed, made worse by losing his long time companion, and had lost interest in most things. His reluctance to move around since becoming blind also impacted hugely on his mobility and his arthritis and muscle weakness became worse. The way he interacted with the mats and balls was a revelation and it got him out of his bed and moving much more. He particularly liked the ball as he could lift it and place it where he wanted, it was also a comfort to have the mat and ball whilst I left him for short periods of time. He also really enjoyed the snuffle balls being placed around the garden and with a little guidance initially, become much more like his old self.
When my latest rescue dog arrived she had been taken out of a very stressful and high energy home and then placed in boarding kennels until I adopted her. As well as being manic she had major separation anxiety even if left for a few seconds, both in the home and car. I found the snuffle mats to be invaluable when “loaded” with tiny pieces of very high value treats and I used them in her training to boost her confidence and bring stress levels down. She is better with the snuffle mats as she is a very young dog and they are a bit more robust than the balls, so bear this in mind when choosing for your individual dog.
The mats can be machine-washed but I tend to wash the snuffle balls by hand to keep them in good shape. Be mindful of the detergent used and go as natural as possible and perfume-free free as to not detract from the whole sniffing and foraging experience.
The snuffle mats and balls that I use for my dogs are on the shop and mats and other colours are available on request. https://www.hedgerowhounds.co.uk/products/snuffle-balls