5 Best Ball Dog Toys in 2021

Toys are important for any dog’s optimum development. However, finding the right to for your dog can be hard; you have to get a toy that isn’t overly complicated; if not, they would lose interest, and if it’s not durable enough, they could shred it to pieces. Even with all these challenges, getting your dog an engaging toy is vital for challenging your dog and keeping him busy while you do other things, so it is important you go for the right toy.

There are different types of dog toys available on the market, ranging from frisbees to rope toys to chew toys and even interactive gadgets, but dogs will most likely go for a ball. No matter the breed of your dog, whether it’s a Shih Tzu or a Labrador, just toss a ball, and they will be more than happy to run after it, fetch it and if they are trained, bring it back to you. Seeing that toy balls are important in our dog’s playtime, dog parents must provide them with the best, safest, and most durable, fun toy ball to play with.

BUYING GUIDE FOR BUYING BALL DOG TOYS

If you walk into your favorite pet shop to get a ball toy for your dog, you will be faced with numerous options for the best ball toys. They come in various shapes and sizes, and they will also be other types of toys that may make you wonder if your pet needs toys at all. Choosing the right toy for your pet can be tasking, so we have provided you with a buying guide in order to enlighten you about the best ball dog toys.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE AND DOG BALLS

The same way that toys are important in the development and growth of a child is the same way they are important in puppies’ and dogs’ lives. We might dismiss ball toys as just round objects; experts have said that they play a vital role in developing your puppy.

Playing with ball toys keeps your pet busy. These days when we think of dogs, we think of them as our pets, but years ago, dogs were bred for work. For years they’ve helped man in his numerous pursuits. They helped hunt and retrieve games, defend their masters’ property and family, and even herded livestock and flock.

Before dogs started assisting man, they were already busy with hunting prey, scavenging for food, defending their territory, and caring for their young. They lived a complex and busy lives, constantly solving problems that threatened their survival and interacting with other dogs in the area. To put it in simple terms, dogs tend to thrive when they are given something to do.

When dogs live a sedentary lifestyle, it tends to have a serious effect on them, and this can be seen in the rising numbers of pet owners complaining about the behavior of their dogs. Majority of animal behaviorists believe that lack of any form of exercise is what causes a dog to present different kinds of behavioral issues such as

• • Scratching, digging, and destructive chewing

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• • Hyper-excitability, unusual hyperactivity, which includes increased activity during the night

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• • Play biting and rough play

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• • Unnecessary social activities and excess predatory play

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• • Jumping on people, especially children, unruliness, knocking over furniture and other items

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• • Howling, nuisance barking, whining, and other attention-seeking behaviors

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• • Scavenging, garbage raiding, and other unnecessary investigative behaviors

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TYPES OF DOG BALLS

selecting the right type of ball toy for your pet means that you have to look through the numerous types of balls on the market. Some dog ball toys are designed to look more like tennis balls, while some other types have different styles, such as footballs and soccer balls. Some balls also come with added features such as holes for a better grip and also for placing treats.

Some ball toys are best thrown by hand, while others require a fetch ball machine. The balls also come in various materials. When selecting a ball toy for your pet, you’ll be presented with different options, and choosing the right one can be challenging.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A BALL TOY FOR YOUR DOG

When choosing a toy ball for your dog, there are certain factors that you have to take into consideration. These factors include;

Size

This is a vital factor to consider because of comfort and safety reasons. You don’t want to get a big ball that your dog will have difficulty grabbing unto it with its mouth; if the ball is too small compared to your pet’s mouth, then the chances of choking will be greatly increased, and that could lead to a veterinary emergency. A large ball is easy to spot, but a small ball will be harder for your dog to see.

Durability

It is vital that you pay attention to how the manufacturer of the toy ball rates the product. If it states that it is meant for light to moderate chewers, do not expect it to last if your dog is a power chewer. Even though the durability of the toy has to do with the material it is made from, the durability of the toy you get for your dog will depend on how well you know your pet’s chewing behavior and his jaw strength.

That means, even though it is labeled for moderate chewers, if the material it is made from is not cannot withstand the bite force of your dog, then you’ll have to go for another ball toy.

Weight

Another factor you have to take into consideration is the weight of the ball toy. Even if you intend to use a fetch machine and save yourself the stress of having to throw a heavy ball, you have to keep in mind that your dog will carry the balls with its mouth. If you get a ball that is too heavy, your dog might not be able to carry it, and if the ball is too light, you may not be able to throw it far. If the ball is too heavy, you will need more space to throw the ball properly.

Material

The material used to make the ball plays a role in the durability of the ball toy. Even if the ball is suitable for moderate chewers, it might not be suitable for power chewers. If you want the best when it comes to durability, then it’s best you go for industrial-grade rubber materials. If you go for a light rubber ball that is covered in felt like a tennis ball, you have to make sure you don’t play with it around water as it gets soggy once it’s wet. If you play in a small dog park, it is best if you don’t get a high bouncing ball as it could bounce over the perimeter fences. It is important that you understand the pros and cons of the different types of materials used in making the toy ball you choose.

SAFETY TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST DOG BALL

Just like every other thing, toy balls can pose a safety issue. That is why you need to remember the following safety tips when selecting the best ball toy for your dog.

• Ensure that you buy the right size of toy ball for your pet. It is important that all the ball toys your dog has access to are the right size; you won’t want to risk choking or even swallowing the entire ball.
• It is important that you stay away from toys that contain harmful substances such as BPA and other chemical additives. The safety of your pet is dependant on the absence of these harmful chemicals on the ball toy. You don’t want them grabbing the toy with their mouth and getting poisoned.
• When bouncing the ball for your dog, be careful where you throw the ball to. You don’t want t throw the ball into the street or into a river with a high current.
• When your dog is playing with its toys, ensure that you are there to supervise, whether it’s a ball toy or any other thing.

BENEFITS OF USING A TOY TO KEEP YOUR DOG HEALTHY

Behavioral issues in dogs are mostly caused by lack of activity. Most people think having a large yard is enough for their dog to gets its exercise, but it’s not. You have to entice them to move about; your dog won’t run except you interact with the dog by playing fetch with it. Dogs need to be guided on what they need to do; dogs are filled with energy, and giving them something to do allows them to spend the energy on something useful instead of presenting behavioral issues. Some of the benefits of dogs exercising include the following.

[It Minimizes And Sometimes Eliminates Behavioral Problems

The behavioral issues commonly found in dogs can be solved with exercise. As long as you let your dog play, there will be fewer, if not no, behavioral issues. It doesn’t have to be with a toy ball, but as long as you give your dog something to do, then it won’t feel bored. The energy your dog has will be put to good use, thus preventing the development of any behavioral issues.

Improves Joint Flexibility And Agility

Allowing your dog to run and jump could increase the dog’s joint range of motion. This helps in preventing different diseases from developing while improving the flexibility and agility of your dog. Exercise can have a lot of benefits on their overall health. Improved joint range of motion helps to improve your dog’s mobility and movement. Increased mobility in dogs allows them to enjoy their lives a lot better.

Boost Canine Trust And Confidence

Animal behaviorists have said that exercise helps to boost your dog’s trust and confidence in itself. This could help you if your dog is shy or timid. It also helps to greatly reduce the incidence of dog bullying and other issues associated with low self-esteem dogs. It may be difficult for you to believe, especially because there is no write-up that can properly explain canine psychology. However, based on general observation and existing studies, it is known that dogs that get their daily dose of exercise are more confident and better-rounded than dogs that rarely ever exercise.

Enhances Cardiovascular Health

It is known that exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health. Your pet might seem out of breath, and their heart rate might increase, but it causes a physiological effect that stimulates a mechanism that increases the heart muscle contractions’ strength. If your dog exercises regularly, it’ll have better cardiac outputs. This leads to better endurance and other benefits. Improved cardiovascular health means improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues in the body. We all know how important oxygen and nutrients are for life.

Reduces Constipation And Other Digestive Issues

The same way exercise helps your dog’s cardiovascular system is the same way it improves their digestion. It helps to get rid of waste through the gut. Exercise causes improved blood flow to the digestive system, which promotes better digestion, so your pet is getting all the important nutrients they need.

Helps To Maintain A Healthier Weight

Leaving your dog to chew on its toy ball will not cause any significant loss in weight, but enticing your dog to run laps around your yard can help maintain your dog’s weight. The same way people add weight by sitting at a place doing nothing is the same way a dog that does nothing will also add weight. Obesity comes with its own problem, but you can avoid these problems by enticing your dog to do more vigorous physical activities such as playing fetch. If you’re too busy and can’t throw the ball yourself, you can get an automatic fetch machine; all you have to do is set the machine up and watch your dog have fun while maintaining a healthier weight.

IMPORTANCE OF DOG TOYS

The way toys are important for children’s development is the same way it is important in your dog’s life, especially when it comes to ensuring optimum physical, mental, emotional, social, cognitive, and spatial development. Toys for dogs are also important for the following reasons.

It Satisfies Their Need To Chew

Dogs have this insistent need to chew. This is something that is deeply rooted in their genes, and trying to modify something that is part of their existence has no point. However, instead of letting your dog chew on your carpet, you can get toys that are basically indestructible for them to play with, so that they do not tear through it easily and become a potential choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage problems.

It Helps Alleviate Teething Problems In Puppies

Some dog toys come with soft but firm ridges that help your puppy relieve the gum swelling that is usually seen when a puppy is teething. Dog toys are great at providing temporary relief to your teething puppy.

Reduces Separation Anxiety

One of the major reasons people give their dog toys is to help them get through their separation anxiety. We all know that dogs are social animals and love to be around their owners all the time, so when their owners leave, they tend to get anxious. This is why we give our pets toys, in order to provide some sort of companionship for them. It is extremely helpful if they learn to associate the toy with moments they have spent with their owners.

Aids Crate Training

During the early stages of crate training, the hardest part is keeping your puppy inside the crate without any whining. This is where a dog toy will help. The same way toddlers and preschoolers see their blankies as security is how dogs see their favorite toys. Their toys help them to get through the first stages of crate training. Once you provide them with something that they can relate with comfort, they would want to stay inside the crate.

Aids Weight Management

Dog toys come in different forms; some are puzzles, treat dispensers, and interactive designs. Usually, we simply offer our dogs, the treat but there are toys that do that while offering your dog some kind of challenge while they get their treat. For example, you can keep the treat inside the toy, and it will be left to them to figure out how to get the treat out of the toy. This provides some sort of workout for them, and it also helps them to maintain their weight by limiting their treats to what they can get from the toy.

Prevents Boredom

This goes hand in hand with giving your dog the attention it needs. It has been said that dogs need mental stimulation; if not, they grow bored and begin to display less than desirable behaviors. Dog toys could help them feel less bored, especially if you provide them with interactive dog toys.

Diverts Your Dogs Attention From Digging And Barking

A lot of dogs tend to misbehave because they are seeking attention. Just provide them with their favorite toy, and they won’t mind if you don’t really have their time. Once they have their best toy, they won’t dig or bark since they would be busy playing.

WHAT SHOULD DOG TOY BALLS FOR HEAVY CHEWERS BE MADE OF?

Dog toys for heavy chewers can be made from different materials. Most of the time, heavy-duty nylon and durable hard rubber are used to make the toughest and most durable dog toys available on the market. However, the toughest dog toys are usually made from hard rubber. Another material that works great for heavy chewers is rope, especially ones constructed from thick, large numbered cotton threads. They work great when it concerns cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Dog toys are an important part of your dog’s life; as a pet owner, it is your responsibility to provide them with the best, most durable, safest, and fun toy ball to play with. However, we know it can be difficult to choose the best toy ball when there are so many options to choose from; that is why we have come up with a list of the best toy balls for your dog. Let us dive into the list.

We conducted our research and have provided you with a list of the best toy balls for dogs, along with their specifications, key features, pros, and cons. This list will make it easier for you to choose the best toy ball for your dog.