by Tom Ken
Dogs love playing fetch, and hence a toy ball is one of the best gifts you can get for yours. Besides the fun aspect of playing fetch, the pet also gets much-needed exercise for a healthier lifestyle.
A good dog ball comes with many other benefits, such as eliminating canine behavioral problems, improves joint flexibility, and also helps boost the pet's confidence and trust.
Dog balls come in different brands, types, and sizes for varying dog breeds, and as a responsible pet owner, you need to make sure you pick what suits your pet. Here we help make it easy to choose the best dog ball with a review of top quality ones and a buying guide.
Contents
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. Chuckit! Ultra Ball (Best Overall) |
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2. Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs (Best for the Money) |
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3. Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz (Best Squeaky) |
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4. Jolly Pets Soccer Ball Floating-Bouncing Dog Toy (Best Indestructible) |
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5. Wobble Wag Giggle Ball (Best for Indoor & Outdoor Play) |
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6. Chuckit! Max Glow Ball (Best Glow in the Dark) |
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7. Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball Dog Toy (Best Rope Ball) |
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Chuckit! Ultra Ball is our best overall dog ball option as it is effective at keeping dogs active and is well-built with an excellent texture and color.
The dog ball has a high impact bounce that encourages the pet to jump and leap for it, increasing its activity levels. It has a heavy-duty rubber material and a textured surface that provides a good grip for the dog's teeth and the pet owner's hand when throwing.
You can be confident the pet will not have trouble spotting these balls as they come in a colorful design that combines orange and blue. What's more, they are 2.5-inch in diameter, making them ideal for small or large breeds.
Since these balls are buoyant, they are ideal for the dogs to use as water toys. Better still, they hold up to dirt, and you can easily wipe them clean for simple maintenance.
Although they seem to fade quite fast under the sun, this should not be a big concern, provided you never leave them out after playing.
Pros:
Cons:
For a set of 12 pet tennis balls, the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls offers excellent value for cash. What's more, the balls are also well-built with a grade A rubber core and polyester outer layer.
These tennis balls are ideal for all dog breeds, and safety is guaranteed as they do not have any toxic or abrasive materials. Also, they provide more play options as they work with ball launchers.
Since these balls are green, they can be a little hard to spot in tall grass, but dogs still locate them quickly. Also, the felt top material can get quite soggy in wet environments, but it dries fast.
Pros:
Cons:
If your dog loves squeaky toys, the Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz is the best rubber dog ball for you. Besides being squeaky, the high-quality rubber core gives it a fantastic bounce that will keep your canine friend super active.
These balls come in sizes between 1.5 and 3 inches for different dog breed sizes. They are also in 4 bright colors that are super easy to spot in different playing environments. What's more, they are ideal for both indoors and outdoors and can work with ball launchers.
The felt gets quite soggy, but it dries superfast. In many instances, the dogs will hardly even notice it is wet as it is still good enough for play.
Pros:
Cons:
The Jolly Pets Soccer Ball is our best indestructible dog ball as it always retains its shape and never deflates even when punctured by a dog's teeth.
This ball is buoyant, meaning it is ideal for playing in the water to ensure the pet gets even more exercise. Given that it is bouncy, the ball effectively entices dogs to play more. Moreover, the textured design means they have an easy time gripping it.
The valve on this ball is still accessible to the dog, meaning it can damage it, but the good news is that this hardy affects the ball's playability. Even if you go for the 6-inch one, it might not be ideal for small breeds, but they can still enjoy it when playing together with the owner.
Pros:
Cons:
If you prefer something the pet can use both indoors and outdoors, the Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is one of the best options for you on our dog ball review. Also, this is an interactive toy that emits giggles to entice the pet to keep playing.
This toy has 6 clutch pockets to make sure the pet has an easy time picking it up. Better still, the size and 1.2-ounce weight means it will be ideal for all dog types and sizes.
Pet owners might have issues with this toy ball not being bouncy and vinyl material not as durable as rubber. However, it is effective at keeping dogs busy, and the material can withstand a lot of chewing and biting.
Pros:
Cons:
The pleasant glow in the dark makes the Chuckit! Max Glow Ball quite a unique pet toy and the dog gets to enjoy playing even when it gets dark. Additionally, the ball recharges fast under any bright light in just 5 minutes to give you up to 30 minutes of playtime.
Dogs also have an easy time handling the ball as the surface is textured to be grip-able, and with a width of between 2 and 3.5 inches, depending on the size you choose, it fits the mouth perfectly. Launching the ball when playing is simple as it is compatible with ball launchers.
Price seems to be the most significant concern for this ball because it is a little steep for a pack of one. However, the quality ensures you get value for every buck.
Pros:
Cons:
A rope ball like the Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball opens up more play options. With this ball, your pet can play tug with others or the pet owner, fetch and even carry and launch. Hence, you can be sure it will keep your pet busy for long periods.
Additionally, the ball also floats on water to allow for water retrieval. Given the inclusion of the rope and the textured surface, the dog still gets a good grip even when the toy is wet. The unique material ensures this ball never deflates even when punctured by teeth and never loses shape.
Although this ball does not seem as bouncy as others, it should still bounce enough to get the dog jumping and active.
Pros:
Cons:
Chuckit! Ultra Squeaker is a fantastic dog ball with built-in squeakers that create fun sounds when playing fetch to make things more exciting. It is also one of the best dog bouncy balls, so it is handy for enticing dogs to play and keep active.
Overall, this is a well-built ball with a heavy-duty rubber material that can withstand the most aggressive chewers. Dogs can play with these balls in water as they are buoyant. Pet owners also love that you can use them with ball launchers.
Key Features
The hard natural rubber material makes the JW Hol-ee Roller Original Do It All Puzzle Ballan almost indestructible toy. What's more, this is a fantastic treat-dispensing ball you can use to motivate your pet to keep active.
Because it is super-stretchy, you get an easy time stuffing all kinds of treats. The design also makes it quite versatile as the dog can use it for a wide variety of games, from throw and fetch to tag. Better still, it works as a fantastic chew toy.
Key Features
A good dog ball should entice the pet to play more like the Chew King Fetch Balls. This colorful ball makes a whistling sound when thrown to encourage the dog to fetch it and has a nice bounce thanks to the natural rubber material.
The ball's hole can also accommodate dog treats to help improve the dog's problem-solving skills. Better still, the double hole design ensures pet safety. Because this ball is top-rack dishwasher safe, it should be pretty easy to clean.
Key Features
The Nerf Dog Squeak Ball gives dogs an easy time playing with some ridges and a nice texture that make it easy to pick up for the dog and allows humans to grip it well.
Additionally, the ball is well-built with a lightweight, durable material resistant to the weather and water for playing in different conditions. Another fun element of the ball is the squeak that entices dogs to play more.
Key Features
With the treat dispensing hole on the Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball, you can feel it up with food and treats to keep the pooch entertained for many hours. It also makes a fantastic chew toy as the material is virtually indestructible and with no latex, phthalates, or vinyl.
Since this ball can bounce, roll and float on the water, it gives your pet more play options. Better still, you can be sure of an easy time when cleaning as it is dishwasher-safe.
Key Features
Safety is always a huge concern when shopping for pet toys, but it should be the least of your worries with the Chiwava Squeaky Latex Rubber Balls as it has a safe, non-toxic latex rubber material.
Besides being safe, the toy is fun to play with as it has a pleasing squeak sound and bounce that encourages the dog to jump and move. Also, there is no stuffing inside the ball.
Key Features
If you are looking for an effective way of keeping your small breed dog busy and active, the Volacopets 5 Functions is a good buy. What makes it one of the best small dog balls options is that it is a set of 4 different ball toys for various functions.
These toys come in some bright colors to make them easy to spot for both pet and owner. What's more, the balls have safe, non-toxic materials, and they are ideal for indoor and outdoor play.
Key Features
The Rocco & Roxie Dog Toys Balls is a top-quality dog ball made with a thermoplastic material that is safe for the pet and also strong enough to ensure it can stand the aggressive chewers as it is virtually indestructible.
When it comes to playing throw and fetch, the ball is perfect as it is comfortable to hold for pet owners, and dogs have an easy time picking it up as it has ridges on the surface. You also never have to worry about leaving it out exposed to the elements as the finish is fade-free.
Key Features
One of the first decisions you need to make as you shop for the best ball for dogs is the type to buy, and the five below are the most common types.
Spiked Balls
Spiked balls have soft spikes on the surface. Many dogs love the spikes' feel on their gum and these are also very ideal for those that like chewing on stuff. But, when buying these balls, you need to make sure the spikes are soft and do not break off quickly to minimize the dog's likelihood of swallowing them.
Rope Balls
Rope dog balls include a circular ball with a rope on the sides to give the pet more play options. With this ball type, the dog can play fetch, tug or carry and launch. Hence, rope balls like Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball can be handy for training.
Rubber Balls
Rubber dog balls like Chuckit! Ultra Ball are highly durable and often made for aggressive chewers. They are also lightweight enough to float in water and bouncy to make it possible for the pet to play with them almost anywhere.
Squeaky Balls
Dogs love anything squeaky, so you can be confident they will enjoy a ball that squeaks. Squeaky balls like Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz engage the dog more and encourage it to want to play, which keeps it more active.
Treat Dispenser Balls
These balls are the types that dispense some treat when the pet manipulates them in a certain way. By providing the treats, they are more effective at encouraging the dog to play more as it looks forward to getting more of the snacks. Additionally, they challenge the dog's mind as it tries to figure out how to get to the treats.
The ball's size also matters a lot as you need to make sure it is not too small, as this increases the risk of the pet swallowing it accidentally. Also, a massive one is hard to play with as the dog has a hard time grasping it in its mouth.
Therefore, the right size depends on your breed size as larger dogs require bigger balls than small or medium breeds.
Most dog balls are between 2 and 4 inches, and so you can be confident of getting something ideal for your breed size.
When choosing a dog ball, it is vital to consider the material for durability and safety. Rubber is the most common material used to make these balls, and here something made from industrial-grade rubber is perfect as it is safe, durable, and provides a nice bounce.
On the other hand, light rubber ones can still work for those that prefer something more affordable. However, it is essential to note that if the material has a felt cover like what you get on tennis balls, it can get soggy when wet.
Any dog ball you choose needs to be safe for your canine friend, you as the pet owner, and the environment. Something made with safe, non-toxic materials does not pose health risks to you or your pet. FDA approval is an excellent way to tell that the ball you intend to buy is safe enough.
Weight also matters when choosing a play ball for pets. If the ball is too heavy, your dog will have issues fetching and playing with it.
Like size, the ideal weight for your pock depends on its size or breed. For small breeds, you need to keep the weight as low as possible, so the dog can carry it comfortably.
Also, a dog ball that is too heavy is more challenging for the pet owner to throw when playing with the dog. Something that weighs under 5 ounces should be light enough for most dog breeds.
A colorful ball is more likely to attract your dog than a dull one. Like most other animals, they are attracted by bright and shiny things.
Therefore, as you shop for a ball, go for something as colorful as possible. Something that glows in the dark like the Chuckit! Max Glow Ball is an even better option.
Despite dog balls being inexpensive, you still do not want to keep buying new ones now and then. Also, dogs get attached to their favorite toys, so it is always vital to buy something durable to ensure they use it for a long time.
Whatever ball you buy for your dog needs to withstand a lot of chewing, biting, and rough handling for maximum durability. If you have an aggressive chewer, you need something that is almost indestructible.
Like with any other toys you introduce to your dog, you need to teach it how to play with it. Otherwise, the pet can ignore the ball entirely or ruin it when trying to play.
For toy balls, here is how to teach your pet to play with it.
The first thing should always be to acquaint the pet with the new toy ball to get it excited. You can do this by giving it some time to check and familiarize with its new toy. Given that dogs are naturally playful, most will start playing with it almost instantly.
The next step is to pick up the ball, throw it and encourage the dog to fetch it. Ensure you do not throw it very far and that the dog can easily see the ball goes to keep it interested. Once the dog brings the ball you should reward it with treats or hugs.
Once the dog understands that throwing the toy ball prompts it to fetch and bring it back to you, make sure you practice this as much as possible. Fetch ball machines can also help you control the dog when practicing throw and fetch.
Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Dog Toy, Various Sizes - Walmart Link
ChuckIt! Fetch Medley Ball Medium (3 Pack) - Walmart Link
Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz, Tennis Ballz, Tennis Max Balls, Tennis Maze Craze - - Walmart Link
Laika Dog Squeaky Ball Set of 5, Latex Durable Squeaky Dog Toys for Small Dogs Medium - Walmart Link
ISENVO Squeaky Dog Toys, Dog Chew Ball for Aggressive Chewers with Built-in Squeaker, Dog - Walmart Link
Topyuan Treat Dispensing Dog Toys Interactive Dog Chew Toy, Wobble Dog Puzzle Squeaky Dog - Walmart Link
Topyuan Dog Soccer Ball, Interactive Dog Toy with Easy Grab Tabs, Unique Fun Dog Tug Toy - Walmart Link
the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls - Walmart Link
the Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz - Walmart Link
The Jolly Pets Soccer Ball - Walmart Link
the Wobble Wag Giggle Ball - Walmart Link
the Chuckit! Max Glow Ball - Walmart Link
the Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball - Walmart Link
the JW Hol-ee Roller Original Do It All Puzzle Ball - Walmart Link
the Chew King Fetch Balls - Walmart Link
The Nerf Dog Squeak Ball - Walmart Link
the Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball - Walmart Link
the Chiwava Squeaky Latex Rubber Balls - Walmart Link
the Volacopets 5 Functions - Walmart Link
The Rocco & Roxie Dog Toys Balls - Walmart Link
Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball - Walmart Link
Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz - Walmart Link
the Chuckit! Ultra Ball - Walmart Link
the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs - Walmart Link
Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Dog Toy, Various Sizes - eBay Link
ChuckIt! Fetch Medley Ball Medium (3 Pack) - eBay Link
Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz, Tennis Ballz, Tennis Max Balls, Tennis Maze Craze - - eBay Link
Laika Dog Squeaky Ball Set of 5, Latex Durable Squeaky Dog Toys for Small Dogs Medium - eBay Link
ISENVO Squeaky Dog Toys, Dog Chew Ball for Aggressive Chewers with Built-in Squeaker, Dog - eBay Link
Topyuan Treat Dispensing Dog Toys Interactive Dog Chew Toy, Wobble Dog Puzzle Squeaky Dog - eBay Link
Topyuan Dog Soccer Ball, Interactive Dog Toy with Easy Grab Tabs, Unique Fun Dog Tug Toy - eBay Link
the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls - eBay Link
the Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz - eBay Link
The Jolly Pets Soccer Ball - eBay Link
the Wobble Wag Giggle Ball - eBay Link
the Chuckit! Max Glow Ball - eBay Link
the Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball - eBay Link
the JW Hol-ee Roller Original Do It All Puzzle Ball - eBay Link
the Chew King Fetch Balls - eBay Link
The Nerf Dog Squeak Ball - eBay Link
the Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball - eBay Link
the Chiwava Squeaky Latex Rubber Balls - eBay Link
the Volacopets 5 Functions - eBay Link
The Rocco & Roxie Dog Toys Balls - eBay Link
Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope Ball - eBay Link
Outward Hound Squeaker Ballz & Tennis Ballz - eBay Link
the Chuckit! Ultra Ball - eBay Link
the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs - eBay Link
With the best dog balls, pet owners have a useful tool for keeping their dogs active and ensuring they have lots of fun.
Regardless of your dog breed, there is a good ball for your pet on our list above. However, the Chuckit! Ultra Ball is our top overall recommendation as everything from its built to the texture and color is fantastic.
If you are a pet owner looking for toy balls that give you great value for cash, the Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs is an ideal option.
About Tom Ken
Tom has worked with many veterinary surgeons as a nurse at different veterinary clinics throughout his life.
There, he provides care for sick animals; such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and sometimes reptiles.
He has good work ethics and gentle hands; hence, the doctors as well the pet owners have come to love his presence alot.
With this site, he aims to help the readers ensure their pets' wellbeing, learn how to care, and proivide medical treatment as needed.
Joshua received Veterinary Technician Degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
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