After testing over 30+ products, we have reviewed the best dog footballs for your dog to have a fun and enjoyable game session.
Your dog is your best playmate and imagines getting a chance to play football with him. Sure it would be fun but not with a regular ball. Regular balls are not made for dogs as canines follow different rules while playing football.
Dogs need something with an easy grip and a durable material that can be launched far and can sustain your canine’s strong teeth and grip. Regular footballs are not made for aggressive use and hence, what aids is choosing the best dog football.
Dog footballs are made of high-grade rubber, are extremely bouncy, and can sustain aggressive chewing and rough playing. Therefore, we decided to review the best dog footballs for you and your fido to have a gala and enjoyable time.
The 7 Best Dog Footballs of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
1. Nerf Dog Squeak Football Dog Toy
The Nerf Dog Squeak Football Dog Toy is our best choice of dog football as it is made of the quality materials that Nerf uses to make its toys durable and tough. This toy is an all in one tool to teach, train, and enjoy a game of fetch with your pet.
Since it is available in bright colors, it is easily visible and trackable by both you and your pet during the day or night. The ball is extremely light in weight, durable, and water-resistant and has been tested across various parameters to ensure safety for your pet.
The football is ideal for medium to large-sized breeds and is available in a single pack or pack of two.
The unique and ergonomic design with the grooves and ridges over its surface makes it easy to grip and play with the ball as well. The football also makes a squeaky sound while your dog chews onto it.
To conclude, we think this is the overall best dog footballs.
Key Features:
- Size: Medium
- Material: Foam Rubber/Durable TPR
- Color: Bright Green
- Suitable For: Medium to Large Dog Breeds
The ball may not be suitable for aggressive chewing breeds and can tear off very easily as claimed by certain users. Apart from which, the Nerf Football Dog Toy is quite an engaging toy to keep your pup on his toes.
2. Chuckit! Petmate Fumble Fetch Dog Football
The Chuckit! Petmate Fumble Fetch Dog Football comes in an iconic football shape and has a unique deep ridged grooved design which makes it easy for dogs to pick and carry the football.
The non-slippery surface makes it easy for both you and your pup to throw and grip the ball.
The dog football is puncture-resistant as it is made of durable rubber, EVA foam, and polyester material which makes it resistant to aggressive chewing.
It has a very contoured shape and buoyant design, so you can play with the toy on the ground as well as in the pool.
Since the shape of dog football is unique, it bounces in different directions, thereby adding more excitement while playing. Your dog would always remain engaged and on his toes while playing with the ball.
Key Features:
- Size: Small
- Material: Rubber, EVA foam, and polyester
- Color: Multi-colour
- Suitable For: Medium to Large dog breeds
The ball also has a glow version available that allows your dog to spot the ball in the dark or around bushes. All you have to do is charge the ball under light for 10 minutes and it allows you to have 30 minutes of fun and play.
The only issue would be that the dog football is not meant for aggressive chewing. Else, it is a great and fun toy to have for your fido.
3. JW Pet iSqueak Football Dog Toy
The JW Pet iSqueak Football Dog Toy is the best budget dog football made of durable rubber and is super bouncy.
The natural rubber fun ball is perfect for a game of fetch and for indulging your dog into exercise. The ball is certified as non-toxic and is totally safe for your pet.
The football dog toy is available in a range of fun and attractive colors. It is suitable for medium as well as large-sized breeds.
There are grooves and ridges over the toy surface to provide a perfect grip for your pet to hold the ball. The tapered design makes it easy to launch the ball at a farther distance.
The sporty ball can be tossed, turned, chewed, and kicked and the rubber material ensures high durability. The toy is available in 3 size options and is suitable for all dog breeds.
Key Features:
- Size: Large
- Material: Rubber
- Color: Green (Orange variant available)
- Suitable For: Medium to Large dog breeds
The squeaky football toy is not as durable as it claims to be. The squeaker inside the ball gets spoilt within and the toy can break almost easily. Apart from this, it is good for a short game of fetch with your pup and not recommended for aggressive chewers.
4. Nerf Dog Durable Squeaker Football Toy
With an attractive color and ergonomic shape, this squeaky Nerf Dog Durable Squeaker Football toy is the perfect choice for training and playing with your pet.
The dark and bright color of the ball increases visibility so no matter how far you toss it, your pet can easily spot it.
The ball is extremely light in weight and is made of durable quality rubber which does not destroy easily. The ball is water and dust resistant. The size and the diameter of the football are such that it is suitable for medium to large-sized breeds.
The Nerf footballs have been tested for durability and provide your dog with hours of fun. It also makes a squeaky noise each time your dog chews onto the ball making it more appealing and fun to play with.
Key Features:
- Size: Medium
- Material: Foam Rubber/Durable TPR
- Color: Orange and Blue
- Suitable For: Medium Dog Breeds
Pet parents claim that squeaker football is not durable at all. It can be used for playing fetch but the dog football is not made for aggressive chewers.
5. JW Pet Sphericon Rubber Dog Football
The JW Pet Sphericon Rubber Dog Football has various holes on its surface so you can use it as a multipurpose toy.
Use it for a game of fetch, tug of war, or hide a treat within the ball to make it a puzzle toy. Dog football is a very fun and interactive toy to engage your pet and stimulate them physically and mentally.
The toy uses standard quality materials to ensure your pet’s safety and best health. It is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. which makes it very reliable in terms of quality.
There are oval cutout designs on the toy which allows you to slip in dog treats and chew sticks easily.
The toy is available in multiple assorted colors that are fade-proof. It comes with an infused vanilla flavor that attracts your pup even more. It is made of durable and safe natural rubber and the toy is easy to maintain and wash.
Key Features:
- Size: Medium
- Material: Rubber
- Color: Yellow (variants available)
- Suitable For: Medium Dog Breeds
The toy is not suitable for large breeds as they can destroy it by aggressive chewing. The rubber lets out a very strong smell that can be allergic to dogs. However, it makes for a great puzzle toy to keep your pup engaged.
6. Jolly Pets Football Dog Toy
The Jolly Pets Football Dog Toy is a great toy for playing in the pool or on the ground as it is extremely light in weight. Enjoy a game of fetch or football as it offers a very comfortable grip for your pup to hold.
The football dog toy is made of rubber material and is extremely durable and chew proof.
It is available in 2 assorted and attractive colors which makes it easy to spot and find while your dog wants to fetch it. The rugby ball-like shape gives it the ease of traveling farther due to the contoured shape.
The non-slip pliable rubber material does not puncture easily and the ball is suitable for dogs over 15 lbs. The ball maintains its shape in spite of aggressive chewing.
The dog football being made in the U.S.A. is of reliable quality and uses no harmful toxins and chemicals in its making.
Key Features:
- Size: Medium
- Material: Rubber
- Color: Red (variants available)
- Suitable For: Small and Medium Dog Breeds
Users claim that the ball is not very ideal for playing soccer and is not chew proof as well. The football dog toy is not made for aggressive chewing and is good for small pups and medium-sized breeds.
However, the solid grip and the firm shape makes it a good toy for small and feeble dog breeds.
7. KONG Ballistic Football Dog Toy
KONG toys are known for their durability and quality and hence the KONG Ballistic Football Dog Toy is no exception.
It has 3 layers of material which makes it totally strong and durable as well as soft and easy to manage. There are multiple squeakers inside the toy that are present inside individual pouches.
The football dog toy makes a squeaky sound each time your dog tries to chew or press it. The ball makes a perfect toy for a game of fetch or playing tug of war with your pup.
The shape of the ball is contoured, meaning it can be thrown across a wide range. It is machine washable and easy to maintain as well.
The plush and soft ball is extremely light in weight and can also float on water, you can carry it for a game of fetch in the pool while you enjoy swimming with your canine.
It has a soft fleece layer on the outside for a soft grip each time you launch the ball so it doesn’t rub against your soft hands.
Key Features:
- Size: Large (variants available)
- Material: Fleece and Ballistic Nylon
- Color: Multicolor assorted
- Suitable For: Medium and Large Dog Breeds
The KONG Ballistic Football Dog Toy is available in 2 size variants. However, users suggest it is not very durable and not apt for aggressive chewers. The 3 layer plush material and the squeaky sound it makes is quite appealing and fun to play with.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Footballs?
Here are the steps that you can follow in order to choose the best dog footballs for your hound:
Size
The size of dog football totally depends upon the size of the dog breed. A ball of size 8 inches would not be suitable for a small pup.
Therefore, there is a size of dog football for each breed, be it a Pomeranian or a St. Bernard. Choose one as per your dog’s dimensions. A 6 inches ball would be suitable for medium-sized breeds whereas a 4 inches ball would be perfect for small-sized breeds.
Material
Dog footballs are available in different materials. The most common material is rubber that is known to be bouncy, flexible and tear proof.
If the material or the layer is thick, then the ball is more durable as your dog cannot pierce through the ball making it chew-proof.
Certain dog balls are also have a fleece covering on top for the ball to feel soft and fluffy. These balls can be used for cuddling apart from playing in the garden and are soft to hold and grip.
The best example is the Kong Ballistic Football. It not only offers a soft grip to you but does not injure your pup in any way.
However, in the case of aggressive grippers and chewers, the fleece material is subject to tear easily which is why rubber footballs are the best puncture proof option.
Grip & Design
The grip and design is one of the primary features to consider before getting a dog football for your furball.
This is especially important because dogs do not play football with their feet, but primarily use their paws to kick or their mouth to hold the ball and run.
Therefore, the structure and design has to be such, that it is convenient for your dog to grip.
The overall structure and the shape need to be tapered so that the ball can fly easily while playing fetch. They usually look like rugby balls.
Additionally, having grooves and ridges over the surface is a win-win as it provides a decent surface for your dog to grip the ball.
Rubber balls come with a non-slippery surface and design. The best example is the Chuckit! Fumble Fetch Easy Grip Dog Football.
Some dog balls even come with various holes as if they are almost hollow. These are good for multipurpose use as they offer the perfect bounce to play fetch as well as the perfect flexibility to play tug of war.
You can also toss in a treat or two inside the ball and it serves as a great puzzle toy too.
The holes can be used for holding and gripping the ball for dogs as well as us humans. Just hand them anywhere for storage or fold them in your bag while going for a picnic with your pup.
The best example is the Hol-ee Football that offers a similar design.
Durability
The dog footballs need to be durable as they would undergo extreme wear and tear due to constant gripping, throwing, fetching, and involves a lot of rough use.
Moreover, if your pup is an aggressive chewer, he would end up piercing right into the rubber material and it should not tear apart easily.
Therefore, a thick and durable quality rubber serves great for extreme use, be it bouncing, wear and tear, biting, chewing, kicking, or any other type of rough use.
What are Dog Footballs?
Dogs enjoy playing fetch and the best toy to use is football. But dog footballs are slightly differently designed than regular footballs.
These are compact, bouncy, and are curated specifically to suit your pet. Dogs play football with their paws and their mouth. Hence they need a ball that looks like an NFL ball, slightly tapered in shape, tough and easy to grip.
The balls need to be puncture-proof for your canine’s teeth to not end up puncturing the football. Even if your dog’s teeth end up piercing the ball, it won’t deflate.
Moreover, they can also float in water so you can enjoy a game of ball pool with your pup.
There are various types of footballs available, right from regular-sized, to miniature footballs for small pups. You can choose one based on your dog’s breed and size.
It is good to engage your pup in a game of fetch or catch as it will encourage running and playfulness in your pet. Exercise will keep them physically and mentally stimulated and your dog will remain healthy and active.
Read on to know how you can choose the best football for your canine.
FAQs for the Best Dog Footballs
Can you train a dog to play football?
Yes! You can definitely train a dog to play football. Unlike humans, dogs play football with their paws and mouth, and hence, there are specific dog footballs available.
These footballs make it easy for your dog to grip, play, and hold the ball while running to play football. In order to train your dog, you can also indulge in playing with him until he eventually starts kicking and running with you and your team.
Can dogs use footballs as chew toys?
No! While dog footballs are made of durable rubber material which is chew proof and tear-resistant, it is to be kept in mind that they would not sustain aggressive chewing for a long time.
Footballs that are puncture-proof will not deflate easily but if chewed for longer, can result in a hole in the ball surface or damage.
How much for dog footballs?
Dog Footballs typically are priced anywhere between $7-$17 depending upon the brand, material, quality, durability, and various other factors.
One of the best dog footballs is the Nerf Dog Squeak Football Dog Toy that costs around $7-$9. A premium range of dog footballs is from Chuckit! Petmate Fumble Fetch Dog Football that costs around $15-$20.
A budget dog football would be the JW Pet iSqueak Football Dog Toy that costs around $5-$7.
What is the best dog football?
According to us, the best dog football is the Nerf Dog Squeak Football Dog Toy which is strong and tough and a great tool for teaching and training your pet.
A premium quality dog football is the Chuckit! Petmate Fumble Fetch Dog Football which is specifically designed for an easy grip and lasts long with a variable bounce.
The best dog football under a budget price would be the JW Pet iSqueak Football Dog Toy that is perfect for playing fetch and makes a squeaky sound when your dog chews it.
Final Note
Dog Footballs are specially designed for canines to be able to grip and run with the ball easily while playing fetch or football.
They are made of durable and high-quality rubber with various grooves and ridges and come in bright colors that make it convenient to spot and search the ball in dark.
There are various squeaky football toys also available which make a squeaking sound upon chewing. These dog footballs are available in various designs that enhance the bounce and movement of the toy.
Choose a dog football that is mostly tear proof or chew proof and sustains extreme use. It should be appropriate as per your dog’s size and not tear apart easily.
Our reviews on the best dog football will help you make a better choice for you and your pup to enjoy and play merrily.
James Wilkinson joined DogLovesBest as a full-time writer with the objective of offering his insights on how to rear pets better. He shares the information through the experience he has gained over a span of 15 years working as a dog trainer. James also used to contribute regularly to several pet publications during his career as a trainer before joining this website. He also donates a portion of his own personal wealth to shelter abandoned animals in Gainesville, Florida and helps in finding a new home for them.