We got tired of hiding the dog stuff before guests came over.
Rootle started in a one-bedroom apartment with a border collie who could finish a bowl of kibble before the kettle boiled. Walks weren't doing it. The plastic puzzle from the pet store helped, but it looked like clearance day at a primary school.
So we sewed one. A fleece mat full of folds you tucked the kibble into, in a color that didn't make us wince every time it sat in the hallway. The dog took ten minutes to work through what used to be a thirty-second meal. The mat stayed out. The flat looked like a flat.
That's the whole idea behind Rootle. The same nose work as the loud plastic versions, in tones that belong in a grown-up room. Oat, sage, clay, fog. Made well, made to be washed a hundred times, made to be left out where you can see it.
What we believe.
- A bored dog isn't a bad dog. They just need a job.
- Enrichment shouldn't ruin the room it lives in.
- If we wouldn't leave it out, we don't make it.
- Small brand, small range, made properly.
FAQ
Is the mat machine washable?+
Yes. Cold wash on a gentle cycle, air dry. Skip the dryer — the fleece holds its shape better that way.
Will my dog destroy it?+
These are foraging mats, not chew toys. Supervise the first few sessions and put it away when the meal is over. Dogs who treat everything like prey may prefer the Slow Bowl.
What size dogs is it for?+
Every size. Toy breeds get longer sessions out of a few kibble; large breeds get a real workout from a full meal.
Do I have to fill it with kibble?+
Anything dry works. Their normal food, small training treats, pieces of freeze-dried whatever. Just keep it dry — the lick mat is for the soft stuff.
How long should a session last?+
Most dogs work a full meal out in five to fifteen minutes. That's the goal — turn dinner into a proper task.
Where do you ship?+
US and Canada to start. Sign up to the list and we'll tell you the day we open up more.