Puppy playdate: 16 best dog balls
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Writer’s note: The following listicle was originally published on January 3, 2021 at the now-defunct website Dog Struggles. The original list included 30 options, but 14 are no longer available. This listicle has been lightly edited for technical details and readability. (If you’re interested in reading non-pet-related top 10-, 15- and 20 lists, click here.)
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“Go fetch!”
It’s a fun phrase to keep your dog active and probably you. And chances are high that if you hang out at a dog park, you see plenty of free toys left behind from other dogs and brought in by new four-legged visitors.
Rubber dog balls may either be so much fun to play with that the dog wants to play fetch for hours, or she grabs the ball once and completely disappears. Those soft squeaky dog balls are so noisy that you regret buying the noisemaker, but your dog has zero complaints about it — unless she chews the squeaker out immediately.
Small dog balls may be a choking hazard for large dogs, and large balls may be too difficult for small dogs to grab. These 16 suggestions below should give you a good balance for finding the best dog ball for your pet needs.
1. Jolly Pets
Usually, once a ball is chewed through, that’s the end of it. In this case, even when the ball is chewed through, it’s still in most of its form and playable.
Key Features
Available in three colors (ocean blue, green apple, orange)
Available in two sizes (small/medium, large/X-large)
Scent of green apple and orange vanilla
If your dog is a chewer and puts a hole in it, the ball will still stay in its regular form.
Pros
Easily floats for dog water sports
Will not deflate; keeps its own original size and shape
Cons
One user’s chewing dog kept chewing it apart and now carries all the pieces around
One user’s dog’s tooth kept getting stuck in the ball
For dogs who like to chase, fetch and tug, this is a good pet gift. This is not the best option for heavy-chewing dogs though.
2. ChuckIt!
If you’ve ever had a dog who drops the ball more than he plays with it, the deep grooves in a ball like this one eliminates that problem.
Key Features
Option to add on extra toy balls
Available in small and large
Max glow and regular style
This toy features a durable construction combining canvas, foam and rubber materials. And the glow version charges with as little as five minutes of bright light for 20 minutes of illuminated play.
Pros
“One size” option for dogs who can play with dog ball toys of any size
High visibility in tall grass
Cons
Several users complained about the seams easily unraveling
One user believes the glow-in-the-dark ball can be destroyed easier than the non-glowing versions
Kick Fetch has deep ridges to make it easier for your dog to grab ahold of the ball without it being too rough on the dog’s teeth.
3. KONG
If you’re looking for something bigger and louder than a tennis ball, here you go. Ideal for larger dogs, you’ll pretty much always know when your dog is playing with this jumbler. You may develop a love-hate relationship with the KONG Jumbler if your dog has a habit of only wanting to play with it while you’re on the phone.
Key Features
Large/X-large
Squeaker included
7x7x7
This jumbler can be used for enticement during crate training, to help your dog maintain a healthy weight, for chewing and teething, and to help diminish separation anxiety.
Pros
Handle for easy pickup and shaking
Lightweight (less than 2 pounds)
Cons
Can stand up against rough play
Not as soft or chewy as other dog toys
Designed for tough play, this is ideal for dogs who destroy plush toys within minutes.
4. Bojafa
While there are many toys that become a complete disaster if your dog chews on them, this teething toy is perfect for a bored dog who loves to destroy things.
Key Features
Nontoxic natural rubber material
Two Sizes (1.8 inches and 2.8 inches)
Two-pack
If your dog enjoys a good challenge, this nontoxic toy is durable. These dog-chewing toy balls also have an optional food treat insertion point to improve the interest of your dog’s indoor or outdoor games.
Pros
Cleans teeth
Puncture resistant
Cons
Several dogs chewed through it in under 30 minutes
May need to leave it in the sun for a few days to get rid of the rubber smell
This ball can be stuffed with peanut butter and toothpaste to entice a dog into teeth brushing.
5. Pet Qwerks
If you have a dog that needs to hear the radio or the sound of the television to calm down or stay entertained, this talking babble may be a fun alternative. (Of note, later in this list, there is an additional ball from this brand with 18 programmed sound.)
Key Features
20 wisecracks, sayings and sounds
Made with high-impact ABS construction
Available in small, medium and large
This electronic ball is both interactive and keeps your dog from getting bored. Even your dog breathing on the ball or his walking vibrations will make the Babble Ball go into action. And the ball will go into sleep mode when inactivity happens, which avoids the battery dying too quickly.
Pros
Motion-activated interactive dog
Handy for blind dogs and those with weak vision
Cons
Replacement batteries will have to be purchased for an additional rate
Quite a few users got new toys but dead batteries
This may help keep dogs with separation anxiety entertained while you’re gone. Turning on radios and televisions also help, but the ball is something the dog can carry around.
6. Wellbro Rope Ball
If you’re looking for a colorful rope ball that’s easy to find if/when it rolls under the couch, this set may be what you need.
Key Features
Random color combinations
Pure cotton fibers
Three-pack or six-pack
Suitable for all sizes, according to the product description, these 10-inch chew rope ball toys can get your dog’s attention in no time. The head knot makes a sound when it’s pressed or bitten down on and may come in handy for teething purposes. It’s designed to fit a dog’s mouth, and the extra thick rope is durable enough to hold onto for a game of tug-of-war.
Pros
Tightly twisted for durability
Machine washable
Cons
Not suitable for large dogs or aggressive chewers
Fell apart within minutes, according to a few small dog owners
If you have a dog with a bad habit of chewing furniture, mats and shoes, this set of balls may help to distract and change the behavior of your pet chewer.
7. Jolly Pets
Designed for destruction, this Romp-n-Roll can be carried, kicked, thrown and tugged all over the place outside.
Key Features
Available in seven sizes
Available in six colors
Blueberry scented (blue only), Vanilla scent (orange only)
Although the rope is good for tugging around with your dog, it also comes in handy for dogs who just want to bite the rope and swing the 6 x 6 x 6 ball around in circles.
Pros
Nontoxic material
Tested by Senior Toy Testers
Cons
Parts of ball are a choking hazard
Not all balls have a scent
Designed to be tugged, thrown, carried and launched, and the rope can be pulled back and forth without coming completely out.
8. Outward Hound
If you have the kind of dog like mine who will interrupt a firm basketball game and try to steal the ball, maybe the soft plush version is a better choice.
Key Features
Available in four colors (blue, yellow, orange, red)
Sizes ranging from x-small to large
Packs of 2, 4, 6 or 8
This toy is a perfect blend of two things dogs love: squeakers and tennis balls. It’s made with premium rubber material.
Pros
Portable mesh bag to keep together
Good for indoor and outdoor play
Cons
Only intended for dogs under 25 pounds
Multiple users complained about the placement of the squeaker
Consider the Tennis Maze Craze for additional play time. Just make sure to watch your dog around this hard plastic material. Rinse the dog puzzle with warm water and soap when you’re done.
9. Playology
Although it’s advertised for being an active toy without “high-calorie treats,” keep in mind that your peanut butter-loving dog can usually benefit from the healthy fats, protein and fiber found in a spoonful of peanut butter. Just feed it to him in moderation, if you want to up the ante on the original peanut butter scent.
Key Features
Peanut butter scent (and four other scents)
Squeaky sound
Available in four colors
The fresh bursts of enticing peanut butter scent will ideally keep your pup engaged far longer than unscented toys. There are also scent options for beef, cheddar cheese, chicken and sweet potato.
Pros
Dishwasher-safe
Ideal for heavy chewers
Cons
Squeaker stopped working for a few
Multiple users reported that their dogs chewed through the toy in a short time
Each Playology toy is tested to meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) guidelines for safety and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) standards for leads, phthalates, and other toxins deemed hazardous.
10. VolacoPets
If you have a dog who needs options, this four-pack may be your best bet: It comes with a squeaky ball, wool ball, solid rubber ball and dental-cleaning ball.
Key Features
Set of four balls
Various sizes ranging from 1.8 inches to 2.4 inches
Ideal for chewers (natural rubber ball)
If you’re not seeing immediate engagement, insert treats into the nubs. Or, spread peanut butter or cheese into the grooves. In addition to cleaning teeth, it will give your dog something to focus on removing to eat.
Helps to clean teeth (dental-cleaning ball)
No plastics or risk of small particles
Cons
One reviewer said a Chihuahua had trouble getting the ball into its mouth
Some reviewers had to throw out dog balls that were either too small or too big in the four-pack
Although the wool ball may collect more dirt, all four are OK to play with outside.
11. Chiwava
Do you want to play baseball, basketball, soccer or tennis with your dog? Pick one, or play all four with the Chiwava.
Key Features
Available sizes in medium (2.4 inches) and large (2.7 inches)
Nontoxic latex rubber
No stuffing
This toy, with its round shape and rubber material, is lightweight and easy enough to play with at home and outside. Soft, squeaky and bouncy, a game of fetch can last for hours.
Pros
Easy to wipe clean
Lightweight
Cons
Several users said the squeaker came out too fast
Squeaky audio may get noisy
These toys are suitable to play with inside and outside, from the backyard to the dog park.
12. Pet Qwerks
Attractive for both sight and sound, your dog can enjoy 18 different sounds. This may be annoying after a while for you, but it’ll probably be big fun for your dog. (Of note, earlier in this list, there is an additional ball from this brand with 20 programmed sound.)
Key Features
Available in three sizes
Available in four styles
Made with high impact ABS construction
This interactive ball is ready to play with as soon as you remove the plastic strip to activate the ball. Wipe the surface, make sure the batteries work and let the play commence.
Pros
Motion-activated
Flashing light
Cons
Sound stopped working within two weeks for one user, even after changing batteries
One dog got the toy caught in its mouth
The Pet Qwerks is excellent for dogs that are blind, have poor eyesight or separation anxiety.
13. JW Hol-ee Roller
This mentally stimulating toy is more than just a ball to bounce around. It is also a puzzle for your dog to figure out how to retrieve treats.
Key Features
Natural rubber
Available in varying colors
5.5 inches
Enjoy a variety of colors (red, blue, purple, green) while playing in your home or hanging out at a nearby dog beach, dog park or lakefront.
Pros
Gentle on a dog’s gums
Brain-teaser game
Cons
Not recommended for aggressive chewers
One user reported the dog tore it apart in 10 minutes
In addition to hiding treats, pet owners can use the toy to get active with tugging, tossing and rolling.
14. Wobble Wag
When your kid is busy, this is a perfect giggling toy to make up for the happy sounds of child-and-dog play.
Key Features
Four clutch pockets
Internal tube noisemaker
Makes giggling sounds
The Wobble Wag can be rolled and shaken to tickle you and your dog, too. Whether you choose the glow-in-the-dark version or the original version, this toy works inside and outside.
Pros
No batteries required
Great for dogs that want to nuzzle the ball
Cons
Hearing “Good Boy” over and over again may grow annoying
Not intended to submerge in water to clean
Enjoy watching your dog nuzzle, fetch, shake and roll the ball alone — and when the kids come home.
15. Snug Rubber
BPA-free and toxin-free, the Snug Rubber is great for your next dog walk or playdate at the dog park.
Key Features
Three pack
Ideal for small and medium dogs
Available in three color variations of blue with yellow, red, orange, blue and pink
Made of 100% all-natural rubber, this ball is great by the pool and about the same size as a tennis ball. It is also designed to keep aggressive chewers busy — for a bit.
Pros
Works with all standard ball launchers
Easy to clean
Cons
Another user said the toy didn’t last two hours
One user reported that an older version of this same toy was more durable
The bright colors make these balls clearly visible in all environments, including when your dog hides toys under the couch or behind couch pillows, and is easily distinguishable from other pet toys.
16. Sharlovy Squeaky
If this teething toy looks a lot like stress balls, it is. The difference is this one relieves stress for teething dogs. (Writer’s note on August 18, 2024: I have a version of this toy called Play On Dog from Pet Supply Plus that has lasted since March 19, 2022. I cannot speak to the durability of this Sharlovy brand, but if it doesn’t work out for you, the Pet Supply Plus one will last for years. Neither lights up, and only the blue one squeaks though. And my dog can tear up any toy within minutes and definitely within 24 hours if she tries.)
Key Features
Six-pack
Available in three vivid colors (orange, green, and blue)
Thermoplastic rubber (TPR)
These all-in-one toys are squeaky, bright and lightweight enough to toss around. Although the squeaker is listed as not a choking hazard, heavy-chewing dogs should still be watched closely.
Pros
Soft spikes
No chemical smell
Cons
Not ideal for aggressive chewers (again, read my Pet Supply Plus note)
Internal sqeaker may or may not last long for chewers
The ball bounces high when thrown to the ground, suitable for tossing and fetching games. But it’s soft texture is a relief on laminate floors, fragile furniture and near ceramics.
Bottom Line
Ask five owners about the best dog ball toy to purchase, and you’ll probably get five different answers. Every dog is different. While some love to chomp into the material, others happily bounce the ball around without biting much into it. Or, the dog who just loves puzzles or dog toys with treats may become destructive if he can’t get to the treat fast enough.
When bringing new toys into a home, make sure the dog is supervised while playing with it. If he seems OK, then it may be OK to purchase similar versions. If not, try something new. There are plenty of options to choose from.
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Shamontiel is a dog lover to her core: 604 completed walks with 99 dogs, eight dog-housesittings and six dog boardings at the time of this publication.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote,” “Tickled,” “We Need To Talk” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday.