DIY toy guide
No-Sew Fleece Snuffle Mat
Knot fleece strips onto a mat and hide dinner in the tufts
Tie strips of fleece onto a rubber sink mat to create a shaggy field of fabric, then bury kibble deep in the tufts so your cat has to sniff and forage each piece out.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Under £5
🧺 You will need
- A rubber or plastic mat with a grid of holes (a sink or anti-slip mat is ideal)
- One or two fleece blankets or offcuts, cut into strips about 2cm by 18cm
- Scissors
- Your cat's usual kibble or dry treats
🔧 How to make it
- Cut the fleece into lots of short, thin strips.
- Thread each strip down through one hole and up through the neighbouring hole, then tie a simple knot on the top side.
- Keep going, row by row, until the whole mat is covered in a dense shag of fleece.
- Trim any long ends so they are roughly even.
- Scatter kibble across the mat and work it down into the tufts, then let your cat snuffle it out.
💡 Tips
The denser you pack the knots, the harder — and more rewarding — the foraging. Start with food sitting near the surface, then bury it deeper as your cat learns the game. Shake the mat out and machine-wash it on a gentle cycle when needed.
Safety: Supervise a cat that likes to chew fabric, as swallowed fleece can cause a blockage. Make sure knots are firm so strips are not easily pulled loose, and retire the mat if it starts shedding pieces.
📝 Notes
Snuffle mats tap straight into a cat's hunting instinct and are wonderful slow-down feeders for greedy eaters or bored indoor cats.
