Most of us have bought a ball in the morning and found the shreds by teatime. So a ball sold as “indestructible” is tempting, and also worth a second look, because the makers themselves are often more careful than the headline on the listing.
One honest note first. We haven’t road-tested these ten balls, and this isn’t a list of our favourites. It’s a researched comparison: we read each maker’s own product page and checked the general safety advice from PDSA. Where a maker says “no toy is indestructible” or “not a chew toy”, we say so. Where we couldn’t find something on an official page, we’ve left it out rather than repeat what a reseller says.
We’ve not quoted prices, because they change constantly. Several of these are American brands, so check a UK seller has your size in stock before you fall for one.
Read this before you choose a “tough” ball
A durable ball is for fetch or pushing, not for chewing. Look at what the makers write:
- Goughnuts says its ball is “NOT for chewing”.
- Company of Animals says the Boomer Ball “is not a chew toy” and dogs shouldn’t grind their teeth on it.
- Jolly Pets says its Teaser Ball and Push-n-Play aren’t meant to be chew toys and that excessive use may cause tooth wear.
- KONG’s page says supervised use only and warns of a choking risk if the ball is the wrong size.
PDSA’s guidance on choosing a safe ball says a ball should be large enough that your dog can’t fit the whole thing in their mouth, that a ball with a hole through it can help a dog keep breathing if it gets stuck, and that cracked or torn balls should be replaced. It also says very hard toys and brittle plastic balls may raise the risk of broken teeth, and that the coating on a standard tennis ball can slowly wear down enamel. If your dog has dental problems, or chews balls to bits, speak to your vet about what suits them.
Rubber fetch balls
1. Chuckit! Ultra Ball
Chuckit! describes an extra-thick rubber core, high bounce, and a ball that floats, “specifically crafted for fetch” and compatible with its launchers. It comes in sizes from small to XX-large, though UK retailers we checked list the smaller three. The maker says to supervise play and replace any ball with rips, tears or cuts. Maker’s page.
Best for: everyday fetch on land or water.
2. West Paw Jive
Made from West Paw’s Zogoflex material, which the brand describes as BPA, latex, silicone and phthalate free. It floats, is dishwasher safe, and has an off-centre shape for an unpredictable bounce. The maker calls it built for tough chewers, but also says “no toy is indestructible” and to supervise. It’s backed by a satisfaction guarantee; read the terms on their site before you rely on it. The small size is described as fitting a standard ball thrower. Maker’s page.
Best for: dogs who like a bounce that goes where it wants.
3. Goughnuts Toughest Ball
The site lists this as the “Interactive Black 50 – Toughest Ball”: 3 inches, made from natural rubber, with grooves that allow the dog to breathe while carrying it. Goughnuts offers a guarantee; read their guarantee page for the terms, which we couldn’t open. It is clear that this is a ball for fetch, not for chewing. We couldn’t confirm a UK stockist, so check before you order. Maker’s page.
Best for: strong fetchers, if you can get hold of one in the UK.
4. KONG Extreme Ball
KONG’s black rubber formula is described as natural, puncture resistant, and designed for power chewers, with a hole in the ball. The page is strict on safety: supervised use only, discontinue if damaged, and it can be a choking hazard if sized incorrectly. KONG sizes by dog weight, and the size names differ between the maker and UK retailers, so use the weight guide. Maker’s page.
Best for: owners who want a simple rubber ball with a hole and a well-known name.
5. Ruff Dawg Ball
Ruff Dawg’s own wording is “ultra-durable”, not “indestructible”. It’s a solid rubber ball that floats, made in the USA, and the maker says it comes with a lifetime guarantee. We couldn’t read the terms, so check them. We also couldn’t find a UK stockist. Maker’s page.
Best for: water retrieves, if you can find it in the UK.
6. Orbee-Tuff Planet Ball
Planet Dog is among the brands listed on the Outward Hound site, where we found the Planet Ball. It is made from TPE rubber that the maker says is free of BPA, lead and phthalates, in small, medium and large. The maker says “no toy is indestructible”, so don’t leave it with an unsupervised dog and replace it if it’s damaged. We couldn’t confirm a UK stockist. Maker’s page.
Best for: dogs who like a firm, springy ball.
Big balls and push toys
These are different. They’re for dogs who push, chase and herd rather than carry, and they’re usually too hard to chew on.
7. Jolly Pets Jolly Soccer Ball
Made from Jolly Pets’ JollyFlex material, designed to float, and made in the USA, in 6 and 8 inch sizes. The maker says it can take a beating, then adds “no dog toy is indestructible” and to supervise. Parts can be a choking hazard if they come loose, so discard it if that happens. Maker’s page.
Best for: big-ball chase games.
8. Boomer Ball
A hard polyethylene ball that dogs push with their paws and nose rather than carry. Company of Animals advises choosing a size bigger than your dog can carry, large enough that they can’t pick it up, and says it is not a chew toy. It’s stocked by UK retailers. Company of Animals UK.
Best for: herding-type dogs who like to push a ball around the garden.
9. Jolly Pets Push-n-Play
A hard plastic ball that rolls and floats, made in the USA. Jolly Pets says it isn’t a chew toy, that excessive use may cause tooth wear, and that no dog toy is indestructible. Note that the maker’s stock showed as sold out when we looked. Some UK sellers market it as “virtually indestructible”, a phrase several sellers use for different products, so go by what the maker says. Maker’s page.
Best for: garden push-and-chase games.
10. Jolly Pets Teaser Ball
A ball within a ball, for chasing, swimming and solo play. The maker’s warnings: not meant to be a chew toy, excessive use may cause tooth wear, parts can be a choking hazard if removed, and discard it if anything comes loose. Maker’s page.
Best for: bored dogs who enjoy batting a toy around.
How to choose
- Everyday fetch: Chuckit! Ultra, West Paw Jive, KONG Extreme.
- Water play: balls the makers say float include the Chuckit! Ultra, West Paw Jive, Ruff Dawg, Jolly Soccer Ball and Push-n-Play. Our UK dog swimming guide has places to try it out.
- Pushers and herders: Boomer Ball, Jolly Soccer Ball or Push-n-Play, always in a size too big to pick up.
- A dog who chews balls to bits: no ball on this list is designed for that. Swap the ball for a proper chew toy, supervise, and ask your vet.
Final word
Whatever you buy, size it up, supervise, and retire any ball that cracks or tears.
Tough Dog Balls: Quick Answers
Is there such a thing as an indestructible dog ball?
No. West Paw, Jolly Pets and Outward Hound all say on their own pages that no toy is indestructible, and Ruff Dawg’s wording is ‘ultra-durable’. Supervise play, and retire any ball that cracks, tears or comes apart.
Can my dog chew these balls?
Several makers say not. Goughnuts says its ball is not for chewing, Company of Animals says the Boomer Ball is not a chew toy, and Jolly Pets says excessive use may cause tooth wear. If your dog chews balls to bits, swap the ball for a proper chew toy, supervise, and speak to your vet.
What size of ball is safest?
PDSA says a ball should be large enough that your dog can’t fit the whole thing in their mouth, and that a ball with a hole through it can help a dog keep breathing if it gets stuck. KONG sizes by dog weight, so use the maker’s weight guide rather than the size name.
Are ordinary tennis balls a good choice?
PDSA says the coating on a standard tennis ball can slowly wear down tooth enamel. If your dog has dental problems, or chews balls to bits, speak to your vet about what suits them.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
