When you own a dog, undoubtedly, you feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys every time you visit the pet store. Selecting the best dog toy can seem like an unachievable feat.
Your dog ball selection becomes easier when you base your decision on standards like safety. You might consider a top tier dog ball like the Kong Extreme for its durability or a Gnawsome Squeaky for its fun versatility.
Quick Picks: The 10 Top-Rated Toy Balls for Dogs
- Best for Water Sports: Jolly Pets Soccer Ball Floating-Bouncing Dog Toy
- Best for Ball Launcher: Snug Solid Rubber Dog Balls
- Best Indestructible Dog Ball: KONG Extreme Ball Dog Toy
- Best Squeaky Dog Ball: Kong Extreme Ball
- Best Fetch Dog Ball: Chew King Fetch Balls Durable Natural Dog Toy Ball
- Best Rope Dog Ball: Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope and Ball Dog Toy
- Best Versatile Dog Ball: Chuckit! Ultra Ball
- Best Interactive Dog Ball: Wobble Wag Giggle Ball
- Best Soccer Dog Ball: Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball
- Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Ball: JW Hol-ee Roller Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball
In a hurry? Check KONG Extreme Ball Dog Toy as our best pick, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide.
Best Dog Ball Product Reviews
Jolly Pets Soccer Ball Floating-Bouncing Dog Toy
Best for Water Sports
If your dog destroys every toy or flattens any ball, the Jolly Pets Soccer Ball may offer a solution. Its signature Jolly Flex material allows it to come in contact with your pet’s teeth and stay inflated. The ball also floats so you can play with your dog in the front yard or around the swimming pool.
Related: Best Dog Ramps for Pools
Jolly Flex, similar to rubber, is free of BPA and other toxic compounds. The soccer ball has a textured surface so your dog can still grip it if the toy gets wet. Moreover, Jolly Flex creates a ball that is extremely tough and long-lasting.
You can choose between orange, blue, and green soccer balls. The ball also comes in two sizes. You simply pick a ball depending on whether your dog is under or over 40 pounds.
Our Rating: 4.8 Stars
Pros:
- Versatile for land or water
- Will maintain its shape if your dog punctures the ball
- Bright colors make the ball easy for you to find
- Jolly Pets supports animal shelters
Cons:
- Short-nosed breeds may struggle to grip the ball, even large dogs like Boxers and American Bulldogs
- Not a chew toy – If your dog tears the ball into pieces, it could be hazardous
Snug Solid Rubber Dog Balls
Best for Ball Launcher
The Snug Rubber Dog Balls are BPA-free toys with random shapes. Random shapes lead to erratic bouncing, which dogs find fun. The manufacturer uses solid all-natural rubber, which is safe and tough.
Playing ball with your dog is an excellent way to bond with him and exercise him mentally and physically. Two dog balls come in each pack. They are the size of tennis balls but eliminate the problematic felt on the surface.
Our Rating: 4.4 Stars
Pros:
- Fit in most launchers
- Irregular shape is different for every ball
- Comes in a two-pack
- With hole in middle – Can use as a feeder
Cons:
- Not for dogs who chew balls while fetching
- relatively heavy
Kong Extreme Ball
Best Indestructible Dog Ball
No doubt, you have read about Kong’s extreme toughness and durability in dog toys. Kong marketed indestructible chew cones and similar products until a few determined dogs ate them. Kong continues to lead the industry in high-quality and long-lasting pet toys.
The Kong Extreme Ball features a resilient rubber that resists punctures. Even if a dog does break the surface, the ball will not deflate. Extreme Balls have a remarkable bounce to increase the excitement for your dog.
Kong features not only a natural material but also one that withstands heavy chewing. You still should not leave your dog unattended with a Kong Extreme Ball.
Our Rating: 4.9 Stars
Pros:
- Natural rubber
- One of the toughest and most durable pet toys
- Encourages high activity
- Hole in the center enables you to insert a rope if you want
Cons:
- Hole may be a weak area of the toy for heavy chewers
- Limited sizes
Gnawsome 4.5” Spiky Squeaker Ball Dog Toy
Best Squeaky Dog Ball
The brilliant colors of the Gnawsome spiky dog ball with squeaker may not impress your dog much, but they make the toy easy for you to locate.
Bright spikes are for more than your dog’s amusement. Offshoots of the plastic-rubber surface, the knobs provide a way for your dog to massage his gums. On top of promoting dental health, the ball has a squeaker to satisfy your dog’s predatory instincts.
Related: Best Squeaky Dog Toys
The manufacturer designed the Gnawsome for small dogs, making it ideal for terriers such as the Parsons and Norwich.
Our Rating: 4.6 Stars
Pros:
- Unique design aims to improve dental health further from the natural act of chewing
- Suitable for smaller dogs to pick up and carry
- Thermo-plasticized rubber material is food-grade
- Suitable for small and large dogs
- Features an extra-small size
- Very light at only 0.35 pounds
Cons:
- Squeaky toys can encourage aggression in certain dogs and lead to fighting among house pets
- Some dogs will not rest until they remove the squeaker, destroying the ball
Chew King Fetch Balls Durable Natural Dog Toy Ball
Best Fetch Dog Ball
The Chew King Fetch Ball is perfect if you have a launcher. With a hole in the center and two openings, the Chew Kings can double as treat-dispensing balls. You have to insert a large enough treat, so it does not just tumble out.
Chew Kings provide a pleasant alternative to traditional tennis balls. They can get wet without becoming soggy and nasty for you to touch. Chew King Fetch Balls are very easy to clean. You can even pop them into your dishwasher. Their natural rubber surface makes them safe and durable.
Our Rating: 4.7 Stars
Pros:
- Natural rubber material – Safe for your dog to mouth and tough and long-lasting
- Dishwasher safe on top level – Easy to clean
- Two openings make the ball easy to pick up and prevents the tongue from getting caught on the ball
- Can also be a food dispenser – Compartment inside suitable to place food or treats
- Separate style for heavy chewers
- Pack of 3
Cons:
- Hollow so does not bounce as well as some other balls
- Not as durable as Kong
Jolly Pets Romp-n-Roll Rope and Ball Dog Toy
Best Rope Dog Ball
Jolly Pets uses the same signature material in their six-inch Romp n Roll as in their soccer ball.
A rope through the middle makes the Romp n Roll a versatile toy that dogs can use in traditional Fetch or tug of war. The rope makes it easy for any dog to carry the ball from one place to another or toss it. You can also fit the smaller sizes into a launcher.
Romp-n-Roll Balls are durable, resistant to punctures, and nontoxic. They float in water, bounce on land, and retain their shape even if a tooth does go through the material.
Our Rating: 4.6 Stars
Pros:
- Rope makes ball suitable for multiple activities
- Smaller sizes fit in a launcher
- Floats and bounces – Good for land and water
- The rope slides
Cons:
- Rope not as easy to keep clean as the ball’s material
Chuckit! Ultra Ball
Best Versatile Dog Ball
The Chuck It! Ultra Ball packs several toy functions into one ball. Not only does it float and bounce like several other designs, but it also has its own launcher. It has a textured surface similar to that of a basketball and enough give that dogs can comfortably get their mouths around it. The ball’s rubber core sustains moderate chewing. It comes complete with a squeaker.
The Chuck It! is easy to clean. Most of the time you can wipe the ball with mild soap and a damp towel.
Our Rating: 4.7 Stars
Pros:
- Multiple fun activities possible
- High bounce
- Buoyant and lightweight – Floats and easy for dogs to carry
- Several sizes with at least one launcher suitable for all
Cons:
- Weak at the seams – Strong chewers can tear
Wobble Wag Giggle Ball
Best Interactive Dog Ball
The Wobble Wag Giggle Ball is a unique interactive dog toy. Unlike other interactive balls, the Wobble Wag require little engagement from you. Inner tubes let out sounds that resemble children laughing and having fun whenever the ball moves. A vinyl surface allows the ball to roll effortlessly when your dog nudges it.
Your dog’s Wobble Wag Ball glows for extra fun at night or during the day. You can recharge the ball’s illumination by merely placing it under a light source for 30 minutes.
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pros:
- Glows – Does not require batteries
- Can entertain your pet without you
- Has holes interspersed that make it easy for any dog to pick it up
- Toy is flexible yet durable
Cons:
- Does not retain its shape if your dog punctures it
- The ball startles some dogs
Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball
Best Soccer Dog Ball
The Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball modifies the classic ball and game of Fetch by designing a toy you can kick. Unlike the soccer ball for dogs, it has a groove system to make it easier to lift and carry. The grooves also make the ball bounce unpredictably, mimicking prey behavior that is exciting for dogs.
Materials like foam and rubber create a ball that floats in the water. A canvas cover rounds out a durable ball with high-quality construction.
A glow feature is optional in the Kick Fetch Ball. You can recharge the ball’s illumination with a light source. Recharging only takes five minutes, and the glow can last up to 20 minutes.
Our Rating: 4.6 Stars
Pros:
- Bright blue and orange – Highly visible color for you to find
- Grooves instead of holes make it easy to pick up without getting teeth caught
- Dynamic bounce yet floats in water
- Has a glowing version
Cons:
- Random bounce makes the ball more likely to get away from your dog
JW Hol-ee Roller Original Treat Dispensing Dog Ball
Best Treat-Dispensing Dog Ball
Our Rating: 4.4 Stars
The Hol-ee Roller has an innovative look, but not just so your dog can pick up the ball easier. Multiple holes are where you slide in treats and enable your pet to see the prize readily.
Food dispensers like the Roller provide great mental enrichment for your dog. Feeding your dog in a bowl on the floor rewards him and ensures he always eats in a safe place, but it removes his need to forage or hunt. A hol-ee Roller will make him work a little harder for dinner and occupy his mind.
Pros:
- Slide treats or food morsels through holes – No need for a removable lid or moving parts
- Hard rubber material – Durable and easy to clean
- Ball is straightforward to pick up and toss around
- Open design allows the pet to breathe easily even when he has his snout buried in the toy
- Can also put toys inside
Cons:
- Relatively large holes – Will not work for normal dog food
- Watch holes – Tiny dogs could get a foot stuck
Best Dog Toy Balls Buying Guide
Things to Consider When Buying Dog Toy Balls
Purpose
You should first ask yourself why you want a dog ball? Which of your dog’s needs will you try to fulfill? Luckily, a dog ball satisfies most candid drives if you choose the appropriate type.
- Chase – Fetch
- Forage – Food dispensers
- Prey drive – Fetch, squeaky balls
- Tug of war – Balls with ropes or with enough give to grab firmly
- Shake and destroy – Squeaky balls
- Lift and carry and toss in the air – Canine prey rituals
- Run and use his body – Any ball your dog can chase or fetch
- Chew – Rubber balls
- Interactive – Either a ball your dog can enjoy with you in games or an interactive ball that reacts to something your dog does.
Materials
Rubber is a common material in many dog balls. It is safe, nonreactive, and nontoxic. It is also extremely durable if the toymaker uses enough thickness. Moreover, the rubber is easy to keep clean and sanitary. High-quality products do not have an odor.
Rubber is among the most versatile of materials. It can be hard enough to sustain chewing or soft enough to provide comfort to your dog’s mouth. Some rubber is rigid, almost like plastic so that you can kick it at will. Sometimes you want a more pliable material so you can adjust it to put treats inside.
Other materials manufacturers may use in dog toys are vinyl, foam, or canvas. Vinyl may help a ball slide easier. Canvas serves to form a protective, tear-resistant layer over foam or other sensitive material. The foam makes toys more flexible and forgiving.
Other Considerations
Once you determine what kind of ball to give your dog and why you will want to think about other features to make everyone’s life easier.
- Easy to clean
- Low-maintenance
- Minimal parts – Balls should be simple
- Food-grade is a nice bonus because toys spend so much time in your dog’s mouth
- Versatility – How many things can one ball do?
- Does your dog enjoy balls
- Bright colors – More for you than your pet
Prerequisites and Precautions For Dog Balls
Dog balls are like any other toy. You have several phases of supervision for the different types of balls.
Heavy Chewers
Heavy chewers cannot spend any amount of unsupervised time with a ball or toy. Many dog balls feature rubber. Your dog can tear rubber into sizeable chunks, which can cause an intestinal blockage if he swallows them.
Related: Best Dog Toys for Chewers
Puppies should automatically go into a class where you do not leave them alone with a ball. Large puppies, especially, have strong enough jaws to tear toys apart. Moreover, young puppies tend to eat everything.
Unfamiliar Toy
You should watch your dog for several minutes when you first give him a toy. Watch how he engages with the toy. If it is an interactive toy, make sure your pet still recognizes it as a fun item. Interactive toys are not a good fit if your dog runs away from it. Other indications of stress are snarling, raised hackles, and barking.
The intention of interactive toys is never to babysit your dog. Although you do not need to engage as much with a Wobble Wag, you still should keep an eye out for harmful damage to the toy. Also, watch for signs of discomfort from your pet. Animals can have freak accidents at any time.
Damaged Dog Balls
You should always be vigilant about removing damaged toys. Any start of a tear can lead to a piece coming off the ball. Most adult dogs will not eat their toys, but some will. Eating foreign material may cause blockages, upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea, or general malaise.
Trusted Pet
If you know your pet very well, then you become quite familiar with how he interacts with his toy. Mature dogs who play with their ball for brief periods may be able to unattended for a couple of hours. Active dogs, however, may not know how to pace themselves with a ball.
Remember, dog balls are mainly interactive toys. They are not chew toys, and manufacturers do not construct them to withstand long bouts alone with your pet.
Controversial Toys
Some experts feel tug of war and squeaky toys inspire unwarranted aggression in dogs. However, no one can deny how much some dogs enjoy tug of war games or squeaker. We suggest you act according to your dog’s personality.
If your dog shows heightened aggression at the end of a rope, you can eliminate tug of war or limit his play. If he frequently bites you during play, eliminate tug of war. Your dog can play with a ball and the rope attached without engaging in any tugging contests.
Squeaky toys stimulate predatory aggression in dogs. We recommend limiting play with squeaky balls when you are alone with your pet. You can introduce unwelcome fights and injury if you allow your four-legged pal to play with a squeaky around the cat or your other dog.
Final Thoughts
We chose the Kong Extreme Ball as the best dog ball for its durability, toughness, and simplicity. Dogs and owners enjoy the Kong which uses a natural material.
A close second and third are the Jolly Flex products, especially the large soccer ball. We appreciated the use of an innovative material as well as the ability to use the toy both on land and water.
All products we chose are easy to clean, satisfy at least a few needs for healthy play, and feature high-quality materials and workmanship.