Is your dog destroying your home? Do they seem bored and only interested in chewing up your furniture? Or do they rush through their meals, gulping it down in no time at all? If so, a snuffle ball for dogs may be able to help.
This post will look at what a snuffle ball is, how to use one and what to look for when buying one.
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Related: Best Dog Lick Mat For Your Pup, Best Snuffle Mat For Dogs
What Is A Snuffle Ball?
A snuffle ball is similar to a snuffle mat, in that is is made of fabric and it allows you to hide food inside it.
A snuffle ball can be made entirely of fabric or it can be made of rubber with fabric pieces attached to it.
It can be made of interwoven pieces of fabric or it can be made of strips of fabric that roll up and are placed into holes in the ball.
How Do You Use A Dog Snuffle Ball?
To use a snuffle ball, it depends on the type you get.
For a ball made entirely of interwoven fabric, you can just hide the food inside all the nooks and crannies in the pieces of fabric.
If you are using the type of snuffle ball with strips of fabric, first, unroll the fabric strip. Next, place the food along the strip. Then, roll the strip back up with the food now along the strip. Finally, place the rolled up strip back into the snuffle ball.
What Do You Put In A Snuffle Ball?
Snuffle balls can be filled with your dog’s kibble and favorite treats.
Are Snuffle Balls Good For Dogs?
Snuffle balls are great for dogs. Not only can they keep your dog occupied, they can provide other benefits as well. A snuffle ball:
- Helps relieve stress by having your dog focus on a task.
- Provides mental stimulation for your dog, preventing boredom and destructive behaviors.
- Allows your dog to use their nose to sniff out food, like they would in the wild, encouraging sniffing and foraging.
- Acts as a slow feeder, preventing your dog from gulping down their food.
Who Is A Snuffle Ball Good For?
A snuffle ball is good for all dogs that are food motivated, but is especially good for:
- Dogs that get bored easily.
- Pups that eat their food too quickly.
- Those with anxiety.
Who Is A Snuffle Ball NOT Good For?
A snuffle ball is not good for dogs that chew or eat non-food items.
The fabric used to make a snuffle ball can be easily chewed and/or swallowed.
If your dog is rough on their toys, a snuffle ball may not be good for them. They may inadvertently pull the fabric out of the ball if they are rough with it.
How Do I Choose A Snuffle Ball For My Dog?
When deciding on a snuffle ball for your dog, here are a few things to look for:
Type
First choose the type of ball that best suits your dog. If they are very gentle on their toys, a regular fabric snuffle ball should be fine. If they are even slightly rough with their toys, you may want to try a ball with a rubber base. This way if they destroy the attached fabric they still have a ball they can play with.
Machine Washable
Snuffle balls can get dirty fast. You will want one that is easy to clean so it can be used over and over again.
How Often Should Dogs Use A Snuffle Ball?
A snuffle ball can be used as often as you would like. Just make sure you are cleaning it between uses to avoid any build up of bacteria.
Snuffle ball are best used:
- During times of stress or anxiety (thunderstorms, fireworks).
- Feeding time to slow them down.
- When you can’t take your dog out for a walk (too busy, bad weather).
- To keep your dog occupied when you have company over.
- When you want to provide extra mental stimulation for your pup.
Can You Leave A Dog Alone With A Snuffle Ball?
It is best not to leave a dog alone while using a snuffle ball, no matter which type you get. Balls can be easily ripped if your dog becomes aggressive while searching for food and you will want to be sure your dog doesn’t swallow anything they shouldn’t eat.
How Often Should You Wash A Snuffle Ball?
A snuffle ball should be washed after every use. This will help ensure that bacteria does not build up on it. You can hand wash it or even put it in the washing machine if necessary.
Best Snuffle Ball For Dogs
Here are 5 snuffle balls available that may help keep your dog occupied and stress free. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Best Traditional Snuffle Ball
fouFit Hide ‘n Seek Snuffle Ball Dog Toy
This ball comes in two sizes.
- Available in different color combinations.
- Comes in different sizes.
- Measures 4 inches or 6 inches.
Ablechien Snuffle Ball
This ball is machine washable.
- Available in different sizes.
- Uses a polar fleece material.
- Machine washable.
Best Shaped Snuffle Ball
Leaps & Bounds Snuffle Pinecone
This one is in a pinecone shape with a place to put food behind each scale.
- Fabric material.
- Machine washable.
Best Rubber Snuffle Ball
Lmhce Pet Snuffle Ball
This ball uses polar fleece fabric to roll your food up in. The only negative to this type of snuffle ball is that it can be time consuming to load the treats.
- Measures 7.87 x 7.87 inches.
- TPR rubber frame.
- Made of polar fleece material.
- Put food or treats onto the strip, roll it up and place into the ball.
Luckdoor Interactive Snuffle Ball
This ball is machine washable.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Polar fleece material with rubber base.
- Machine washable.
A snuffle ball for dogs is a great way to keep your dog occupied to help prevent boredom and destructive behavior, and encourages your dog to eat slower. Snuffle balls are also a good option to help dogs suffering from stress and anxiety by giving them a task to focus on.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.