Most dogs like playing with a ball, and then some dogs are just ball-mad. Why do dogs love dog balls so much?
As anyone with a dog knows, nothing will keep a dog and their favourite ball apart!
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Your dog may love the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of a catch, or even the sheer joy of chomping down on a squeaky dog ball (apparently, they are the best!). Whatever the reason, balls hold a special place in the hearts of our canine companions.
But why are dogs so ball-obsessed? It turns out the answer lies deep in their DNA. Chasing, catching, and “killing” a ball taps into a dog’s natural predatory instincts, providing a satisfying outlet for these ancestral urges in a playful, harmless, often noisy, and usually relentless way.
Benefits of You and Your Dog Playing With Dog Balls
But it’s more than just instinct, as playing with balls offers other benefits for our four-legged friends. It’s not just about physical exercise – though that’s certainly an important part of it. Playing with a ball provides mental stimulation, helps strengthen the bond between you and your dog, and can even be a valuable tool for training and behaviour modification. After all, that is how police dogs are trained.
So come with me and Poppy as we explore the world of dog balls. From the tough and durable to the soft and squeaky. We’ll look at balls designed for different types of play, various breed sizes, and specific needs like water resistance or extreme chewability.
Whether your pup is a gentle player or a ball-destroying machine, we’ve got you covered with our top 10 picks for 2024.
Choosing the Right Ball for Your Dog
Your dog will play with their dog balls very vigorously. It is, therefore, essential that you buy them a suitable dog ball.
Not all dog balls are created equal, and finding the perfect match for your furry friend involves considering several factors.
Size Considerations
Please make sure they are the right size for your dog. You don’t want one too small, as there is a danger that it could be swallowed. You also don’t want one too big,, as your dog will not be able to play with it properly and may become frustrated.
As a general rule:
- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): Opt for balls around 2 inches in diameter
- Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): Look for balls between 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter
- Large dogs (over 50 lbs): Choose balls 3 inches or larger in diameter
Remember, the ball should be large enough that your dog can’t accidentally swallow it or get it stuck in their throat. You see and hear far too many horror stories and don’t want this to happen to your own dog.
Material Durability
The durability of a ball depends on your dog’s chewing habits and play style. Here are some common materials and their characteristics:
- Rubber: Generally durable and bouncy, good for moderate chewers.
- Tennis ball material: Fun texture but can wear down teeth over time.
- TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber): Soft yet durable, often used in squeaky toys.
- Foam: Soft and lightweight, but not suitable for chewers.
For heavy chewers, look for balls specifically labelled “indestructible” or “chew-resistant.”
Safety Features to Look For
When choosing a ball, prioritize safety with these features:
- Non-toxic materials: Ensure the ball is made from pet-safe materials
- Solid construction: Avoid balls with small parts that could come loose
- Smooth surface: Check for any rough edges that could harm your dog’s mouth
- Visibility: Bright colours make it easier to find the ball during play. It also makes it easier for you to find the ball in a clump of nettles that your dog won’t go into.
Special Needs Considerations
Different dogs have different needs when it comes to their ideal ball:
- Heavy chewers: Look for extra-tough, reinforced rubber balls
- Water lovers: Choose balls that float and are water-resistant.
- Senior dogs: Softer balls might be easier on their teeth and jaws
- High-energy breeds: Consider balls that can be used with launchers for longer throws.
Remember, supervising your dog during playtime is essential, regardless of the ball you choose. Regularly inspect toys for signs of wear and tear and replace them when necessary to ensure your pup’s safety and continued enjoyment.
By considering these factors, you’ll be well-equipped to choose a ball that’s not only fun for your dog but also safe and appropriate for their individual needs.
Once you find that ‘Goldilocks’ ball, note its size and stick with it. Your dog will be forever grateful!
Which Dog Balls Would Your Dog Buy?
Poppy is a terrier and absolutely ball-mad. She truly wants to play with a ball 24/7. She’ll sit outside the utility room (where the balls live), just waiting for someone to go in there to get her a ball.
We did quite a lot of research, and this is Poppy’s list of her Top 10 Dog Balls. Does your dog agree? Poppy would buy these if she had her own money.
10 – Five Senses Ball
Just squeaking into the top 10 (see what we did there!) is the 5 Senses Ball. This dog ball is designed to appeal to sight, sound, taste, smell and feel, so it offers additional stimulation for your pet. It comes in 2 sizes (2.5″ & 3.25″) and assorted colours.
This ball would be great if your dog is blind or has impaired vision.
However, for us, it is too big to go in the ball thrower and not quite indestructible for Poppy. It has quite a strong smell, too, which I find unpleasant, and Poppy doesn’t seem to notice! Poppy does like the squeak, though.
9 – Squeakair Dog Toy Tennis Ball
The KONG Squeakair Dog Toy Tennis Ball comes in at number 9. Tennis balls are generally Poppy’s number one favourite toy, I think, because they must have been the first toy she was ever given.
However, tennis balls last around 3 nanoseconds with Poppy. She tears their fur off and then eats them. I’m pretty sure they are not the healthiest thing she could eat!
However, these tennis balls are good. Especially in Poppy’s eyes because they squeak. Until she squeaks the squeak out of them.
The medium KONG Squeakair Dog Toy Tennis Ball is about the size of a standard tennis ball. And they fit in a ball chucker, which is great for those bad throwers amongst us.
These are a really good ball; they squeak and they are very visible.
8 – Teeth Cleaning Rubber Ball
The Teeth Cleaning Rubber Ball is a fun ball. You can stuff treats in the sides. It has rubber teeth, and you can add some small snacks into the gaps.
The ball is pretty tough, but Poppy has managed to chew some of the teeth away. We have an orange one. It is bright and very bouncy, which makes it a good ball in Poppy’s eyes. I have not filled it with treats, as Poppy prefers to just play ball.
7 – Hol-ee Roller Dog Ball
This Hol-ee Roller dog ball differs slightly from the other balls on Poppy’s list.
This is a rubber, mesh style ball which is great for tossing and tugging. It is fairly easy to throw but doesn’t go too far. But it is more a toy for tossing than chasing, I think. But Poppy loves it as she can give it a really good shaking and killing when she catches it. And it doesn’t hurt when she wacks you on the legs with it!
They are a good toy that you can just fit in your pocket or bag when going on a walk. Again, I haven’t put treats in it.
6 – Dog Ball on a Rope
I can’t throw, and sometimes I don’t like carrying the ball chucker with me, so balls on ropes are great for both me and Poppy. This Dog Ball on a Rope is a good option to keep in a bag or your pocket.
The ball is pretty tough and chew-resistant, but be aware that they don’t float. Yes, we found that out the hard way. I find it best to keep checking the knot because Poppy likes to chew the knot undone. She takes this as a personal challenge.
It’s also great because Poppy likes to carry her ball. Until she doesn’t. But you can clip this ball onto a harness so when she drops it, the ball just dangles rather than rolling into the road or wherever it normally rolls to.
5 – Chuckit Ultra Ball
The Chuckit Ultra Ball is a pretty durable ball. It is a visible colour so quite easy to find. Best of all, it is very very bouncy.
I am not sure if they are indestructible, as I generally lose them. But they are pretty tough. One of the best things is that they float but don’t go soggy when wet. And it fits in the ball chucker.
4 – Chuckit The Whistler Ball
Chuckit The Whistler Ball comes in a pack of 2 – 1 blue and 1 orange, or you can buy them individually. They are both quite visible and easy to find.
The balls whistle as they fly through the air. This makes it easier for your dog to know which direction you threw it. Especially if you have a dog with the habit of running off in the wrong direction.
They are durable and very bouncy. Again, they fit in the ball thrower. They don’t float so I just have to remember not to take them on a swimming walk!
3 – Push-to-Mute Dog Ball
There is a range of push-to-mute toys but we have only tried the Push-to-Mute Dog Ball. We have the purple and red one as I love that colour! I initially bought it because of the strap which lets you throw the ball further without a ball chucker.
It is a high quality ball with ridges that make for great chewing. Apparently. And it squeaks. Perfect in Poppy’s eyes. You can push the strap in to mute the squeak but I don’t bother. I just have it in squeak mode.
I bought 2 and lost one on the first throw. But that says more about me than the ball! Great ball.
2 – Chuckit Ultra Squeaker Ball
Being a terrier, Poppy loves a squeaky ball. The Chuckit Ultra Squeaker Ball fulfills this criteria!
Being a Chuckit ball it fits in the ball launcher, is highly visible and super bouncy. This one also floats too.
These dog balls have a squeak that dogs love. The only problem is that the squeak often doesn’t last long. I have bought many of these balls, again because we lose them. The duration of the squeak really varies. However, even after the squeak has expired these are good balls. They are still very durable.
And … at number 1?
1 – Chuckit Glow Ball
The winner is definitely the Chuckit Max Glow Ball. This is in my opinion and Poppy’s.
We all buy balls that light up for night time play. Most of them have batteries or little internal lights. This glow ball is different.
This ball does not light up but it glows in the dark. Just shining a light on it for a few seconds will light it up. Shining a light for a couple of minutes gives you a longer glow. It is surprisingly bright and there are no working parts to break.
It also makes a whistling sound, so is easier for your dog to track the ball.
Poppy loves these balls so much that she wants to play with them during the day too. But they are confiscated, so she can’t lose them and have nothing to play with at night.
Which Balls Does Your Dog Love?
Quite a few of the top 10 are a Chuckit ball but that is because they are seriously good. If you have never tried them before I recommend them. You can buy packs of different balls too, so see which ones your dog loves.
This is Poppy’s list of her Top 10 balls. Which balls does your dog love? Which ball would your dog buy if they had their own pocket money?
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As a particularly caring cat and bird owner I appreciate the effort you put into being particular not only with your own pet but in helping others to care for theirs. My 16 year old cat, Ricochet and two parakeets, Widget and Whimsy do so well and are so intelligent because I get to know them and their likes and how best to treat them even in situations involving giving medicine to my cat or making sure my parakeets don’t get bored. Keep up the good work so other pet owners especially during this pandemic know instinctively what we know.
Thank you and thanks for visiting. Yes I think people who don’t have pets doing realise how different they are. And there is nothing worse than a bored pet. I think that their lives are so short in comparison to ours, and it is our responsibility to make sure they are as long and as happy as they can possibly be. I do worry that so many people have got a pet during this lock down, then once it is back to normal the pet will become lonely when everyone has gone back to work. It is so important that pets can fit into our normal lifestyle and they can be loved and cherished every day.
Yes you are right. Ricochet, I’m sorry to say, died a few months ago. I was still grieving for him a month later when I knew I was going to have surgery on my leg before too long. I knew that it would he a long recovery with just my grief if I didnt go ahead and get another cat. I ended up being one of those people who got a kitten during the pandemic and had until her third set of shots before I had my surgery a week ago Thursday.