At-Home Enrichment: Build Your Own Meal Snuffle 🐾

At-Home Enrichment is a monthly series from the pros at The Dog Den & The Puppy Den! Each activity is designed to be easy, affordable, and fun — using simple household items and little-to-no “special” equipment.

Because enrichment shouldn’t be complicated… it should be something you can actually do every day.

Turn meals into a brain game!

Want an easy enrichment activity you can do at home with things you already have?

Meet the DIY Meal Snuffle Box — a simple “sniff & search” game that turns your dog’s meal into a fun scavenger hunt.

This is a fantastic option for dogs who:

• inhale their meals in 30 seconds 😅

• need more mental stimulation

• could use a calmer, more purposeful activity at home

• love using their nose (spoiler: that’s basically all dogs)

Sniffing is soothing, satisfying, and tiring in the best way — so this game is great for rainy days, busy weeks, or anytime you want to add enrichment without adding stress.

🧰 Supplies Needed

You don’t need anything fancy. Here’s what you’ll want:

• A cardboard box shallow enough for your dog to comfortably put their nose into

• Box fillers (choose what you have):

• crumpled newspaper

• toys

• tennis balls

• pinecones

• cardboard tubes

• (anything safe + non-toxic your dog won’t eat)

• Your dog’s meal (kibble or dry food works best)

✨ Optional: a few extra tasty treats to boost excitement for first-timers!

🛠️ How to Set It Up

Step 1: Prep your base

Grab your box and sprinkle a small portion of your dog’s meal at the bottom.

Step 2: Start layering

Add your chosen fillers (crumpled newspaper, toys, balls, etc.) and continue sprinkling kibble as you go.

Step 3: Hide the good stuff

Keep layering until the meal is scattered throughout the box.

You want your dog to have to sniff, search, and move things around to find it — but not get frustrated.

⭐ Start Easy (for beginners!)

If your dog is new to enrichment games, keep it extra simple at first:

• Skip the box

• Sprinkle their meal among scattered toys or crumpled paper on the floor

This helps them understand the game quickly and builds confidence.

🔥 Make It Harder (for enrichment pros!)

Once your dog is loving it, you can level up:

• Put some kibble inside crumpled newspaper balls

• Hide kibble inside a “Hide-a-Toy”

• Use deeper fillers so they really have to dig/sniff

• Use a bigger box or add more layers

Pro tip: Difficulty should feel like a fun challenge — not a “rage quit” moment. 😉

🎮 How to Play

Place the snuffle box down and encourage your dog to explore.

If it’s their first time:

• point out a few easy pieces

• let them “win” quickly

• cheer them on (yes, really — dogs love this)

Some dogs may prefer:

• just a few of their favorite treats hidden in the snuffle
  instead of their full meal — and that’s totally okay!

⏱️ Estimated Play Time

5–30+ minutes depending on:

• how difficult you make it

• how motivated your dog is

• whether they’re a “sniff every inch” type or a “speed-run” type 😄

🧡 Safety Tips (quick but important)

• Supervise the first few times (especially if your dog likes to shred/eat paper or cardboard)

• Use safe fillers only — nothing sharp, toxic, or small enough to swallow

• If your dog gets frustrated, make it easier so they can succeed