What To Put in a Rabbit Snuffle Mat? A Quick Guide

Are you wondering what to put in a rabbit snuffle mat?

When I got my first rabbit forage mat, I was also confused about what I could and couldn't put inside to entertain my bunnies.

I learned through trial and error, and I'm here to share my experience with you and give you a few tips on using rabbit food mats.

Just keep reading. 

Key Takeaways

• Snuffle mats are excellent rabbit enrichment toys with numerous benefits. 
• Put treats and food pellets in your rabbit food mat to give your rabbit hours of entertainment. 
• You can buy snuffle mats from various online sellers or make one by yourself with a doormat with holes and fabric strips. 

What Is a Rabbit Snuffle Mat?

Before revealing what you can put in a forage mat, let's talk about what a snuffle mat is and whether it's a suitable rabbit toy.

A snuffle mat is an interactive feeding toy perfect for small pets like bunnies, guinea pigs, cats, gerbils, etc. It has a plastic or rubber base with holes and attached fabric strips or hiding pockets.

You hide food inside the mat, which your bunny has to forage by digging through the strips. It's very easy to use and has numerous benefits:  

• Experts from the RSPCA say, "Searching for food encourages natural foraging behaviour and keeps your rabbit busy." (1)
• A mat can be helpful for bunnies that gobble down their food by slowing their eating speed and reducing the risk of choking.
• Food mats are also an excellent way to enrich your bunny's environment and ensure your furry friend gets plenty of physical and mental stimulation for a happy rabbit life. 
• It makes a cute rabbit bed or a rabbit pet pillow! And it's perfect for digging, so it's an excellent addition to your bunny's enclosure. 

But what can you put inside a forage mat? Let's find out! 

What Can You Put In a Rabbit Snuffle Mat?

Dried treats are the best options to hide inside the food mat. Avoid wet food, as it can stain the material and make it difficult to clean thoroughly to prevent bacteria growth. 

Suitable treats include:

• dried fruits and vegetables
• herbs
• alfalfa cubes
• baked rabbit treats

 I also use my mat with rabbit cereal pellets to entertain my bunnies, make eating interesting, and prevent them from gobbling food. However, you should keep a few things in mind:

• When you have multiple pets, it's hard to tell how much food your bunnies eat. One of your pets can end up hungry or overeating. 
• Adult rabbits need about 1-2 tablespoons of healthy treats. But you can overfeed your bunnies because it's easy to forget how many treats you've given them. 
• Some bunnies might chew the base or the fleece strips. That's dangerous because it can lead to choking or intestinal obstruction. 
• It's normal for your bunnies to dig while foraging for their food. So, you must inspect the toy for damage and replace it if the base is broken. 

But how do you use this rabbit enrichment toy without putting your precious pets at risk? Let's find out!

How to Use Snuffle Mats for Rabbits

Bunnies can get stressed when you put something new in their enclosure. You need to introduce them slowly to the idea of a treat toy mat. Here's what I recommend:

• Leave the mat in your bunny's enclosure and let them get familiar with its shape and smell.
• While your bunnies watch, sprinkle their favorite treats over the fleece strands and hide a few in the base. 
• Wait for your furry friend to sniff the treats and observe them while they're foraging for their breakfast. 
• You must clean the leftovers with the mat once your bunnies are finished. Otherwise, the stale food can attract parasites or get moldy.
• My bunnies are chewers, so I always observe them during their food mat enrichment time to prevent accidents.   

And now, let's talk about where you can find snuffle mats.

Where Do You Get a Rabbit Snuffle Mat?

You can find snuffle mats in plenty of online pet shops. They're available in various sizes, colors, patterns, and features.

Here's how I usually select enrichment toys for my bunnies. 

• I look for mats made from high-quality, natural products to ensure they are suitable for bunnies. 
• Then, I check whether it's the right size for my bunnies.
• Finally, I read the reviews and contact the seller if I have more questions about their product. 

I recently had the chance to try LufPets' new rabbit snuffle mat, and I love its design, durable construction, and bright colors. 

But mats can be pricey, especially if you want something durable. Fortunately, you can also make a DIY snuffle mat using a rubber mat with holes or cardboard, a piece of fleece, and a bit of skill.

Watch this DIY snuffle mat video for more information!

 

2. How many treats should you put in a snuffle mat?

You should put no more than 1-2 tabslepoons of treats in the food mat to avoid overfeeding your bunnies. 

3. Do you wash snuffle mats?

You should wash your snuffle mat following the instructions provided by the seller. It's also vital to remove leftover food regularly to avoid bacterial growth.

Conclusion

Food mats are the perfect rabbit toy because they engage the senses, encourage natural digging behavior, and relieve boredom. And you can use it instead of a food bowl!

My bunnies love playing with their mat and are always happy when I place it in the enclosure. But it took them time to get used to their new rabbit enrichment toy.

So, don't be quick to get rid of the mat. Give it time and be patient because not all bunnies get the idea of a treat toy. And don't forget to use healthy treats!

What do you think about snuffle mats for rabbits? Have you ever used one? Share what you put in your food mats in the comment section. 

Resources:

1. RSCPA. Enhancing your rabbit's diet. [Cited on June 9, 2024] Available from: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/behaviour/enrichment/dietary