Sniffing is genuinely tiring for a dog in the best way: nose work uses more mental energy than another lap of the park, and a dog who has spent ten minutes hunting for kibble tends to settle afterwards rather than pace. Scattering a handful of dry food into a fabric mat turns an ordinary meal into that kind of search, which is the whole point of a snuffle mat and the reason they work on rainy days when walks are short.

The mat measures 30 x 30cm and weighs 370g, built from layers of durable fabric strips that hide food down at the base. Your dog has to nose and paw through them to find each piece, which slows a fast eater down considerably compared with a bowl emptied in twenty seconds. It comes in five colour combinations, and being fabric it rolls up small enough to take to a friend's house or a holiday cottage.

• 30 x 30cm mat, 370g
• Durable fabric strips that conceal dry food and treats
• Encourages natural foraging and nose work
• Slows down fast eaters at mealtimes
• Five colour combinations
• Rolls up small for travel or storage

On size and expectations. A 30cm square is compact, so for a large dog treat it as an enrichment puzzle using part of a meal rather than a full slow feeder for a whole portion. Mats also need washing, because damp kibble dust collects in the base. And it is fabric: a dog who shreds and swallows soft things should only use one under supervision.

Who it's for: Bored, fast-eating or indoor-bound dogs who need something to think about, and owners looking for a quiet way to tire a busy dog out.