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Top 10 Dog Balls of 2021

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Dachshund dog playing with dog toys and ball indoorsOver time, dog balls have proven to be the best items for infusing fun and exercise into the lives of these four-legged companions. On any day, your dog is sure to be wild and ready to jump around, and with dog balls, you can enjoy a game of fetch on the go. You only have to take a ball on your hand, toss it at a distance, and your mutt will run towards it. And if your little companion is well-trained, it will definitely bring the ball back to you to keep the game going.

With that said, it helps to note that today, there’s a wide selection of dog balls in the market. Consequently, without learning about these items in advance, it can be quite challenging to choose the best. So, to assist you in making the right choice, below are comprehensive reviews of the top-rated balls in commercial circulation. The cherry on top, there’s a detailed shopper’s guide to help you learn all essential information regarding balls for dogs.

Chuckit! Kick Fetch Toy Ball for Dogs

Our Top Choice:

For those seeking for great quality for his fur baby, we recommend the Chuckit! Kick Fetching Toy Ball. This toy has a range of outstanding features including durability, bright color, convenience for your pup to hold it, light weight, and lots on.

Read our complete review or view the complete description online!

Comparison Table

Features:
Our Rating:
Buy from:
Chuckit! Kick Fetching Toy Ball for Mutts
Chuckit! Kick Fetching Toy Ball for Mutts
  • Visible, bright orange and blue colors
  • Deep grooves
  • Heavy canvas fabric
  • Rubber and foam build
  • Great design
5
Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball
  • Adjustable difficulty levels
  • Treat dispenser
  • Transparent ball
  • Appropriate size
4.9
Chuckit! Ultra-Ball
Chuckit! Ultra-Ball
  • Highly visible colors
  • Rubber construction
  • Textured exterior
  • Lightweight
4.7
KONG Extreme Ball Dog Toy
KONG Extreme Ball Dog Toy
  • Black color
  • Can’t be punctured
  • Made in America
  • Bouncy
4.6
Chuckit! Max Glow Ball
Chuckit! Max Glow Ball
  • Photoluminescent
  • Rubber construction
  • Grip
4.6
JW Hol-ee Roller Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball
JW Hol-ee Roller Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball
  • Made wholly from rubber
  • Designed with open spaces for treat dispensing
  • 5.5 by 5.5 inches in size
  • Created for large dogs
4.5
Gnawsome Spiky Squeak & Light Ball Dog Toy
Gnawsome Spiky Squeak & Light Ball Dog Toy
  • Available in a variety of bright colors
  • Comes with LED light
  • Produces loud squeaky sound
  • 4.5 inches in diameter
4.6
Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball
Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball
  • Sound activated
  • Triggered with motion
  • Made from hard plastic
  • Blinks on impact
4.5
Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs
Hyper Pet Tennis Balls for Dogs
  • 4 balls in a pack
  • Sold in three different colors (pink, orange, and green)
  • Made from grade A rubber
  • 2 by 7 by 4 inches dimensions
4.5
Chew King Fetch Balls
Chew King Fetch Balls
  • Made from rubber
  • Sold in a packet of three different colored balls
  • 3 inches in diameter
  • Has a vent/ slot in the middle for safety and treat dispensing
4.6

Why Ball Toys and Exercise Are Important

Slow Feeder, Dog Puzzle Toy, Treat Dispensing Toy and Interactive Dog Toy in OneDogs, much like humans, also get bored quickly and can develop health issues because of an inactive lifestyle. It’s, therefore, necessary for dog owners to engage their canines in fun activities with balls that entertain as well as improve dog health. With that, you can see benefits such as:

Better Cardiovascular Health

Increased physical activity is good for the heart. So, if you play fetch with your dog for often, you give them the much-needed workout to maintain a healthy heart.

Aids in Maintaining Healthy Dog Weight

Exercising regulates weight and builds muscle. If your dog is overweight or obese, introducing playtime might help bring the weight down.

Minimizes Dog Behavioral Problems

Balls can help distract your dog and make them happier. By playing, they have less stress and anxiety. They can also prevent excessive barking and chewing of your favorite items.

Increases Obedience

Playtime is a wonderful way for you to bond with your dog. Thus, they grow to love you more and be obedient to you.

Individual Reviews of Top-Recommended Balls

Our Favorite

Our Top Pick: Chuckit! Kick Fetching Toy Ball for Mutts

Chuckit! Kick Fetch Toy Ball for DogsThe Chuckit! Kick Fetch is the leader of dog toys balls for several reasons. For one, it comes with deep ridges that make it easier for your dog to grasp the ball in their mouth.

Furthermore, it’s made with sturdy canvas material, which enhances longevity. And still, on the subject of construction material, this ball is made with foam. This component is quite a featherweight, and thus, makes the ball comfortable for your dog to collect and carry in their mouth. Rubber is also another lightweight material utilized in the construction of the item.

To guarantee that the mutt can find the ball during your games together, most of it is orange in color. This shade makes it possible to identify the ball even when it is quite a distance from you and your companion. You have four different measurements (small, mid, large, extra-large) to choose from, meaning that you can easily pick a ball that matches the measurement of your launcher or dog breed.

With this ball, you don’t have to fret when exercising with your dog near a water body. This ball floats due to the rubber and foam construction materials. As such, you can be sure of uninterrupted playtime even when the ball gets into the pond.

If you often come home late but still want to play with your mutt, there’s good news. This ball has a glow version that illuminates in the darkness. This way, your dog can find it during your nighttime games together.

Pros

  • Floats in water
  • Effortless lifting and carrying
  • Produces an impressive bounce
  • Highly visible
  • Different sizes are available

Cons

  • Aggressive play can lead to unstitching

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Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball – Adjustable Dog Treat BallIf you are considering dog toy balls that double up as automatic treat dispensers, then look no further than this item. It helps exercise your mutt from time to time while, at the same time, encouraging better feeding habits. See, owners can put specific amounts of treats inside of these balls and give them to their mutts to play with. Upon rolling the balls, treats are dispensed slowly, according to the difficulty setting that owners choose. As such, this toy encourages active feeding, which, in turn, fosters a better lifestyle for your dog.

Among the dog balls toys in commercial circulation, this one shines when it comes to stimulating your dog mentally. It keeps your dog alert during playtime by promising a reward (a treat) after the pet plays for a specific duration. This ball is made of non-harmful material and separates into three different parts to allow loading of treats and setting of difficulty levels.

Pros

  • Encourages mental activity
  • Non-harmful material
  • Custom difficulty settings
  • Using and cleaning are straightforward

Cons

  • Treats can be too small for some dog breeds

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Budget Buy: Chuckit! Ultra-Ball

Chuckit! Ultra Ball Dog ToyThis item proves that dog balls don’t have to be costly. At a fair price, you can acquire this ball and be on your way to enjoying game time with your four-legged companion. It produces exciting sounds while bouncing high and low to encourage your dog to interact. If you’re planning on going for a vacay next to a water body, be sure to bring this ball. It can float, thus allowing you to enjoy catch game with your mutt as they swim.

It’s made of sturdy material, making it pleasantly resistant to destruction from chewing. And while outdoors, you don’t have to fret about the ball getting lost because it has visible blue and orange shades that make it effortless for you and your dog to identify.

Pros

  • Floats
  • Sturdy construction material
  • Highly visible
  • Produces exciting sounds

Cons

  • The sounds might annoy some people

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KONG Extreme Ball Dog ToyThese Kong dog balls are known to spice up playtime, given their capability to bounce on various surfaces. They are an excellent choice for outdoor exercise, thanks to their rubber construction, which makes them quite damage-resistant. Better yet, thanks to the rubber construction, these balls cannot be punctured. As such, you do not have to worry about the ball being pricked during outdoor games.

This particular series of Kong dog balls are suitable for mid and large size dogs.

Two large dogs playing with the black ball by Kong

Pros

  • Good size
  • Resistant to puncturing
  • Sturdy natural rubber material
  • Bouncy

Cons

  • Available in one color

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Chuckit! Max Glow BallGlow-in-the-dark dog balls toys such as this one, are the best if you love exercising with your dog way after the dark sets in. You just have to hold it under a source of light for below five minutes and enjoy twenty minutes of illuminated playtime with your mutt. It is textured, making it comfortable for your dog to grab and put in their mouth.

And if you are wondering if it will fit onto your launcher, there’s good news. This ball works perfectly with the various launchers in commercial circulation today.

Human plays with his dog in glowing chuckit ball at night

Pros

  • Glows brightly
  • Charges fast
  • Keeps glowing for twenty to thirty minutes
  • Good grip

Cons

  • Needs a five-minute charge to glow

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JW Hol-ee Roller Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball - Hard Natural Rubber - Assorted ColorsHave a large dog that likes to chew and bite on anything they can find? This durable rubber ball might be the distraction they need. Unlike most of the best dog balls on the market, this one is made from stretchable rubber and is open in design. So, you won’t need to worry about tearing too quickly and having to purchase another ball for your mutt.

This rollerball is designed by JW, a brand that specializes in pet products, including a variety of balls for cats and dogs. The ball doubles up as a treat dispenser to quickly get your dog excited to play. You can entice your canine to play with it by putting some treats inside. It’ll provide your mutt with some much-needed mental workout as they try to remove all the treats inside the ball, while also being entertaining. The cutout spaces all around these rollerballs are not just for dispensing treats but also act as breathing spaces. So, your dog can comfortably breathe while carrying the ball in their mouth. Overall, it is one of the best large dog balls toys you can find on the market.

Pros

  • Soft and breathable
  • Non-toxic rubber material
  • Durable
  • Engaging as it can be combined with treats

Cons

  • Not ideal for a small dog

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Gnawsome 4.5” Spiky Squeak & Light Ball Dog Toy - Extra Large, Cleans teeth and Promotes Dental and Gum HealthLooking for small squeaky dog balls for your mutt to play with? Pets, like children, are easily enticed with bright colors and flashing lights. And, this toy has both. It comes in the colors green, yellow, orange, and blue. Furthermore, the balls come with pre-installed LED lights inside that automatically go on impact. The bright color combined with the light flashes and squeaker inside might just be what your dog needs to have interactive fun during playtime.

Apart from being entertaining, these balls are also branded as good for gum and teeth health. That’s because the ball’s exterior is made of rubbery spikes that massage the gums whenever your dog chews on it. The thermoplastic rubber that makes theses balls is good grade, so you don’t need to worry about your canine chewing on any toxic material.

Gnawsome balls measure about 4 ½ inches in diameter, which makes them are big enough to medium to large mutts. Gnawsome, as a brand, makes some of the best dog balls, bones, and other toys.

Pros

  • Great for interactive play
  • Good for teeth and gum hygiene
  • Manufactured from food-grade rubber
  • Sturdy and durable

Cons

  • Colors may vary

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Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball Interactive Dog Toy, Flashes & Talks when TouchedPet Qwerks, a well-known manufacturer of good quality rubber dog chews, is the brand behind this babble ball for mutts. These balls use motion sensors to light up and make sounds for more interactive play. These Blinky Babble balls come with 18 distinct sounds, including ‘dog,’ ‘barking,’ ‘whistle,’ and ‘banjo music.’

These dog play balls come with batteries that support the light and sound. You’ll, of course, need to replace them every now and then. However, they last pretty long. This toy is especially suitable for dogs with special needs, that is, visual impairment, separation anxiety, etc. These cheap dog balls are super sensitive to motion sounds and incredibly sturdy too. It’s also a great idea to buy this ball for your mutt if you feel like they are not as active as they should and want to encourage them to exercise. Overall, it could be a great addition to playtime with your canine.

Setting up the ball is easy. After you’ve unpacked it, all you need to do is to activate it. Because of the different noises it makes, it can keep your mutt engaged for hours on end.

Pros

  • Engages a mutt’s sensors (sight and hearing)
  • Sturdy built that doesn’t break easily
  • Has a variety of fun and unique sounds
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Can be annoying for people who prefer silence

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Hyper Pet Tennis Balls For Dogs - Pet Safe Dog Toys for Exercise, Training, Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 & Hyper Pet Ball LauncherIf you much prefer tennis balls for your dog, this mini four-pack of brightly colored tennis is something you can invest in. You can choose from the colors green, orange, or pink. These colors make the balls easy for your pet to find, especially outdoors. These balls are made by Hyper Pet, the manufacturer, and seller of the K9 Kannon ball launcher.

You can buy these small dog toy balls to use with the K9 launcher when playing fetch or for use on their own. They are created from non-toxic material, and the outer layer is gentle on your canine’s teeth. These balls are made for use during exercise/ training activities and not as chew balls.

Pros

  • Non-toxic & non-abrasive
  • Bright colors for easy location
  • Good for dog training & work out

Cons

  • Not for use as a chew toy

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Chew King Fetch Balls Extremely Durable Natural Dog Toy BallAnother fun ball for a dog that likes to chew is the Chew King Balls. They are sold in a pack of three vivid colored 3-inch balls. All are made from safe and natural rubber. The balls have a cutout space in the middle where you can put treats for your mutt and make playtime twice as fun. There are two holes on each ball instead of one so that your canine’s touch doesn’t get stuck because of strong suction. The holes double up as safety air vents.

If your dog easily dismantles tennis balls when playing fetch, these balls might be a worthy alternative. You can actually use these dog fetch balls to play fetch with an appropriately sized dog ball launcher. And apart from being tear-resistant, they are easy to clean as well. You can use your hands and a bottle brush for the slot or throw the balls it in the top rack of your dishwasher.

Pros

  • Durable and built to resist tearing
  • Excellent for medium to large mutts
  • Bouncy and light
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Not for extremely heavy chewers

Buy on Amazon

Essential Things to Look at Before Buying Balls for Your Dog

Before acquiring a ball, there are some paramount features to evaluate. These are:

Strength of Construction Material

White dog plays with a pink rubber ball on the grassYou need to acquire a ball made out of material that can withstand the bite force of your four-legged companion. This way, you can ensure that no damage is done to the toy during playtime. Most of the time, the construction material used tells a lot about the durability of dog balls toys, so be sure to evaluate that.

Measurements

The measurements of balls dog toys influence safety and comfort. A massive ball will be challenging for your dog to hold in the mouth, while a very tiny one increases the risk of choking. And if nothing else, bigger dog fetching balls are more visible when compared to smaller ones.

Kind

Several kinds of dog fetching balls exist. For instance, treat-dispensing balls are excellent for the mental stimulation of your mutt. Bouncy balls with sound are great options if you prefer to play outside. Non-chewable balls are excellent choices when playing with aggressive chewers.

Other types of balls you can find are scented and flavored variants.

Coloring

Balls for dogs come in an array of shades, thus, making it easy for you to pick an item that meets your preferences. But all said, balls with highly visible colors are always easier to spot for a dog.

Harm

You want to acquire an item that does not have any harmful substances. FDA accreditation is an excellent way to tell this aspect of a toy for a dog.

Heaviness

A lightweight ball is always a good idea. It can be lifted and carried around by your dog without causing them to strain.

Nature of Surface

Balls with grooved surfaces are excellent since they make it easy for the dog to grab them and carry. Ridged balls are an even better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions on Balls for Mutts

Want to know more about the best dog balls? Here are answers to the most usual questions:

Are Typical Tennis Balls Safe for Mutts?

No. The biggest threat with ‘normal’ balls for tennis is the fact that your dog might chew it up and swallow the pieces, which might then cause stomach issues. Always stick to balls designed for a dog.

Are Balls That Are Made of Rubber Safe for Mutts?

Rubber toys are safe, that is if you pick the recommended size for your dog. Also, ensure they play with them under your supervision and toss out worn-out ones.

Is Ball Launching Dangerous for Dogs?

If your dog is physically healthy and loves to fetch, there’s no harm in playing. However, throw the toy ahead before releasing your mutt to fetch to avoid him/her twisting and turning their body in a bid to catch it midair.

What Is the Ideal Ball Toy for a Heavy Chewer Be Made From?

For a heavy chewer, you need indestructible/ chew-resistant balls for your dog. These balls are usually made of sturdy natural rubber, nylon, or double-knit rope.

How Can I Make My Mutt Play With a Toy Ball?

The most effective trick to get your dog interested in a toy ball is to use treats. You can use the treats as rewards when they fetch the ball or place them in the ball itself (for a ball that allows for treat dispensing).

Are Tennis Balls for Humans Safe for Canines?

No. The usual tennis balls are not encouraged for use as dog toys because of the risk of swallowing and teeth blunting.

Verdict & Final Words

These ten suggestions cover the best balls designed for mutts in the market today. Chuckit! Kick Fetch balls take the top spot for the most interactive ball for playing on land or water. That is now to say there aren’t other options you can compare with. Check them out and make your pick.

What’s your recommendation on balls for a dog? Let’s continue the discussion in the comments below.

Images credits: Amazon.com & photo stocks

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Jeremy King

Jeremy has been with the site since shortly after it was founded, starting as an occasional freelance content creator. Eventually, he became the full-time team member offering his own opinion as a canine behavior expert.

View all posts by Jeremy King | DogsRecommend.com