Dogs that empty a bowl in seconds have not really eaten so much as inhaled, and the restlessness that follows is often what gets chewed next. Scattering the same meal through a mat of fleece strands changes the shape of the whole thing: your dog has to work nose-first through ruffles, pockets and vegetable-shaped pouches to find every last piece, so dinner becomes twenty minutes of quiet work instead of a gulp and a stare at the empty bowl.

The mat is fleece throughout, with pouches sewn in among the loose strands so there are hiding places of genuinely different difficulty rather than one uniform pile to root through. A suction cup on the underside anchors it to smooth flooring, which matters more than it sounds, because a determined nose will otherwise push a mat halfway across the kitchen before it gives up its last biscuit. A fastening strap rolls the whole thing into a bundle for storage or the boot of the car.

• Opens out to 87cm x 49cm
• Rolls down to 49cm x 20cm with the strap fastened
• 9cm suction cup to anchor it to smooth floors
• 47cm fastening strap for storage and travel
• Fleece ruffles, pockets and veggie-shaped pouches
• Works with dry kibble or small treats
• Four options, including a two-pack

Two things worth knowing. This is enrichment, not a chew toy, so a dog who shreds fabric should only use it while you are in the room. And we do not have manufacturer washing guidance for this mat, so rather than guess at a temperature we would rather you shook it out and spot-cleaned it until we can confirm.

What the options mean. Sold as 1PC at £17.99, or 2PCS at £29.99.

Who it's for: Fast eaters, dogs who are alone for part of the day, and bright dogs who need a job on an afternoon when the walk was shorter than it should have been.