Snuffle Mats for Dogs: Dogs love to sniff and explore the world around them. It’s super cute to look at them figuring stuff out! It can be great to encourage this behavior as it helps with their doggy senses. However, sniffing and foraging can cause some issues if they’re pawing at your garden or at your carpets inside. This is where snuffle mats for dogs come in. Read on to find out how they might benefit your dog!

Kissimmee Valley Feed is hosting a “Sniff N Search” at Store #2 where you can make your own snuffle mat on Saturday, April 22nd from 10-12. Join us for a morning of fun and create your own. It is free of charge! All we ask is for interested parties to Pre-register by April 19 so that we may have enough supplies!

What is a snuffle mat?

A snuffle mat is designed to encourage dogs to sniff and forage and to really use that doggy sense of smell. Most dogs love to use snuffle mats because it lets them use their noses to hunt for food and encourage their natural instincts.

How do dogs snuffle mats work?

Snuffle mats for dogs are usually made up of fleece strips attached to a plastic base with holes in it. This allows for spaces where dog treats can be easily hidden. As they’re hidden, they encourage the dog to really use their noses to ‘hunt’ and forage for the treats.

Are snuffle mats good for dogs?

Snuffle mats for dogs are considered to be good for dogs. They encourage healthy dog behaviour and encourage their natural canine instincts, all within a safe and controlled environment. There are a few ways they benefit dogs, so read on for more information.

What are the benefits of snuffle mats for dogs?

Snuffle mats for dogs are the perfect way to provide physical and mental enrichment. They’re perfect for dogs of all ages! They help to slow down fast eaters, encourage them to use their sense of smell, reduce anxiety and burn energy.

• Aids their sense of smell:
  Your dog’s sense of smell is highly important because it’s one of the main ways that they discover the world! With a snuffle mat, the treats are hidden so it encourages your dog to use their sense of smell to find out where the treats are.Not only does this help them with their sense of smell, it’s super fun for your dog too!
• Helps reduce anxiety:
  Dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, or they can become restless or even develop problem behaviours. As we mentioned before, their natural foraging instincts help them find the treats which is really fun for them. Because this is so stimulating, it can eliminate boredom and reduce dog anxiety.
• Burns energy:
  Because snuffle mats are so stimulating, your dog can burn energy as they eat and play. Sniffing and foraging can produce happy hormones, allowing your dog to focus.
• Slows down eating to avoid stomach pain and bloating:
  Some of our dogs are fast eaters, which can cause issues like regurgitation, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and bloating. Because snuffle mats for dogs increase the length of time it takes them to eat, it can reduce these risks.

Are there any risks with snuffle mats for dogs?

Currently, there aren’t necessarily any risks associated with snuffle mats for dogs. However, there are some things you should just keep an eye on.

Like with any dog toy, they should be used in moderation. Especially when treats are involved, you should keep a track of how much they eat, because it is important to not overfeed them.

Knowing when your dog is overstimulated and might need a break from the snuffle mat is imperative.

Make sure you supervise your pooch. There is a risk of choking, like with any dog toys, so keep an eye on your dog whilst they use the snuffle mat.

How do I use a snuffle mat for the first time?

Snuffle mats for dogs are simple to use but it might take some getting used to. Put three to five delicious dog treats on top of the snuffle mat and loosely in the fleece.

Supervise your dog and watch whilst they sniff out the treats. At first, your dog might lift or pull up the mat whilst looking for the treats. In this case, ask them to ‘sit’ or ‘leave it’.

How often should you wash a snuffle mat for dogs?

Your snuffle mat is bound to get a bit slobbery whilst your pooch is searching for those treats. They might also start to smell of dog treats! To keep it hygienic and clean for your dog, wash it once every two weeks, or more often if necessary.

Now that you know all about snuffle mats for dogs, we hope that you see how beneficial they can be for your pooch’s development! Next, check out some other great dog toys for your pup to use!

Article Source: Purina UK

New Year Resolutions for Pets: Tips for enhancing animals’ lives and our own. That’s right, pets can have New Year’s Resolutions too!

With the New Year here, it’s time to take stock and make improvements in our lives and our pets’ lives. Here are some New Year Resolutions for Pets ideas and tips to hopefully enhance the health and add some fun to your pets’ lives.

Pets can suffer from overeating and lack of exercise just like humans. But there are more things to consider than diet and exercise when it comes to being a good example for our pets. Here are a few tips to help your pets be happier and healthier in 2022.

8 Tips:

1. 1. Exercise

      Firstly, regular exercise has the obvious health benefits, but it also is a great time to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners. In addition, it provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart, too! Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes, and a host of other poor health conditions.

   2. Health Check Up

      Secondly, regular visit to your veterinarian is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual examinations of teeth, heart/lungs, and body condition overall will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop and your pet suffering needlessly from complications of preventable problems. Having a good “baseline” of information about your pet also gives the veterinarian something to compare against and determine exactly what is wrong when something isn’t quite right with your pet.

   3. Good Nutrition

      Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just do not have the health reserves that those that a good balanced diet. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans — a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one, and can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.

   4. Good Grooming

      No one wants to be around a stinky pet. Regular grooming for example, bathing, toe nail clips, brushing teeth and hair coat, parasite control. As a result, it not only makes the pet more pleasing to be around, it is much healthier for the pet! For skin and coat problems that don’t resolve with regular grooming, please see your veterinarian. Above all, there may be an underlying medical condition affecting the skin, coat, or toenails.

   5. Safety

      Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and yard. Are they necessary? Are all safety precautions followed? Where are household chemicals stored? Can your pet access these items? If toxins such as rodent poisons are used, can your pet access the rodents? Think too about enclosures for pets — is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?

   6. Information

      Being informed is the best way to keep track of our pet’s health and well-being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet’s vet visits, medications, special needs, etc. to help keep track of your pet’s medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your particular pet will assist your vet figure out what is wrong in the case of illness. For example, the Internet is a wealth of information. However, caution is advised. Especially when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there. The only way to get an answer/diagnosis is through a thorough physical examination. In addition, a review of medical history, and possible lab work performed by your veterinarian.

   7. Love and Attention

      This is probably obvious, but too many pets are left outside in all kinds of weather, with very little human contact. Same goes for inside pets. For example, those who are largely ignored for lack of time and busy human schedules. Most importantly, take the time to focus on your pets and create/nourish that human-animal bond!

   8. Maintenance

      This refers to the more “unpleasant” aspects of pet care. For example, the litter box scooping, yard clean up, cage cleaning, and fish tank maintenance. A clean environment for our pets is a healthy one! Poor sanitation can lead to behavior problems (i.e. litter box avoidance) and health problems such as skin infections and the spread of communicable diseases.

In conclusion, visit Kissimmee Valley Feed for the best pet health supplies (and tell us your New Year Resolutions for Pets!)

Article Source: Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, on About.com