DigDrum vs Snuffle Mats & KONGs: Why Digging Deserves Its Own Enrichment Toy

If your dog already has a snuffle mat, or a KONG and a basket full of other toys, you might be wondering why they would need a DigDrum too?

We think the answer is simple. Different enrichment toys satisfy different natural behaviours, so it’s not about one versus the other, but more about how they complement each other.

That's exactly why we created DigDrum, the world's first enrichment toy designed specifically for dogs who love to dig.

There Isn't One "Perfect" Enrichment Toy

As dog owners, we're always looking for ways to keep our dogs happy, engaged and mentally stimulated. And there are some fantastic enrichment toys available.

KONGs have become a household favourite for encouraging chewing and independent play.

Snuffle mats are brilliant for encouraging dogs to use their noses and tap into their natural foraging instincts.

Puzzle toys challenge problem-solving skills. Lick mats provide a calming, rewarding activity, and the list goes on, with each one having its own purpose.

And these are all great examples of enrichment toys, but they were never designed for dogs that love to dig.

Every Dog Has Different Natural Instincts

Dogs don't all play in the same way. Some breeds would happily spend hours chasing a ball. Others would rather carry a stick around the park. Some love tug-of-war games. Some enjoy sniffing every blade of grass they can find, and others love to dig stuff.

Digging is one of the most instinctive behaviours a dog can display. Whether they're scratching at the garden, pawing at blankets before lying down or enthusiastically digging at the sofa cushions, it's simply another way many dogs naturally choose to play and explore.

Just as we'd throw a ball for a dog that loves to fetch, it makes sense to provide an appropriate outlet for a dog that loves to dig. Not just to protect our furniture, but because it’s fun. 

What Snuffle Mats Do Brilliantly

Snuffle mats are excellent enrichment toys.

They're designed to encourage dogs to search for hidden treats using their incredible sense of smell.

That makes them fantastic for:

• Encouraging nose work
• Slowing down fast eaters
• Making mealtimes more engaging
• Providing short bursts of mental stimulation

But once your dog has found the treats, the game is over. They're also not designed to satisfy a dog's desire to dig.

What KONGs Do Brilliantly

KONG toys have earned their reputation for good reason.

Stuff them with your dog's favourite treats and they can provide long-lasting chewing and licking enrichment.

They're ideal for dogs that enjoy:

• Chewing
• Licking
• Working for food
• Independent play

Again, they're brilliant at what they're designed to do. But they're built for mouths, not paws.

The Missing Piece of Dog Enrichment

If you look at the enrichment toys available today, almost all of them focus on one of three things: sniffing, chewing or problem-solving

Until now, there hasn't been a dedicated toy designed around digging itself. That's where DigDrum is different.

Instead of asking dogs to chew or sniff, DigDrum encourages them to use their paws in the way many naturally want to.

The durable cover provides satisfying resistance as dogs dig, scratch and paw, creating a rewarding play experience that's completely different from other enrichment toys.

DigDrum Doesn't Replace Your Dog's Favourite Toys

One of the biggest misconceptions is that enrichment toys compete with each other, and we would like to suggest that they can complement each other.

Think of them as different activities in your dog's day, like a walk offers exploration, a ball encourages chasing, a KONG satisfies chewing, and a DigDrum gives dogs a dedicated place to dig.

The more opportunities dogs have to enjoy different types of play, the richer and more varied their daily enrichment becomes.

Building the Perfect Enrichment Toolkit

So, rather than searching for one toy that does everything, think about building a collection that satisfies different natural behaviours.

Each toy has its place, and each offers something different. Together, they create a richer, more engaging play experience for your dog.

The First Enrichment Toy Designed for Digging

The DigDrum wasn’t designed to replace the enrichment toys dog owners already love, but to complete them. Because dogs deserve an outlet for every natural instinct, including digging.