Studies demonstrate that dogs know when we’re paying attention to them. They also show that they can read our body language and respond extremely well. In addition, dogs display behaviors in response to what we do, similar to behaviors seen in children.
Because dogs form real solid attachment bonds with us, there’s nothing more important than interactive play. So in this review for the best football for dogs, we’re going to give you some of our top picks so that you can enjoy some outdoor fun with your furbaby.
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular dog toys for 2022. Not only do dog football toys help relieve pent-up energy, anxiety, and boredom, but they’re a way to encourage your dog to get more exercise. The dog football is a toy that will keep your dog occupied for hours on end!
So, why not give the best football toy for dogs a try? Your pup will love playing fetch and tug-of-war with this tough toy! Here’s the takeaway:
- Pros
- Features no hard synthetic material like plastic or nylon
- Solid, heavy-duty design
- Provides mental stimulation & exercise
- Easy to clean
- Erratic bounce to encourage play
- Suitable for high-energy dogs
- Does not splinter
- Perfect for satisfying your dog's innate desire for chewing
- Easy for dogs to pick up
- Cons
- Only black color available
- It may be too heavy for a fetch toy.
The Monster K9 ultra-durable football is the perfect toy for your rough and tough dog. With a lifetime replacement guarantee, this toy is sure to last through even the most vigorous playing.
This ball features a natural rubber compound that is engineered to be as strong and indestructible as physically possible. It’s the perfect football for German Shepherds, Pitbull’s, Bully’s, Labs, and more.
Dogs of all ages will love playing with this football, which is designed to be ultra-durable. The soft rubber construction makes it easy for your dog to grip, and the textured surface provides plenty of stimulation.
Best of all, the Monster K9 football is backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee. If your dog manages to damage the toy, you can get a free replacement.
Features
- Virtually indestructible
- Affordable
- Solid black color
- 100% safe & non-toxic
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- Most durable dog toy
- Pros
- It helps keep your dog entertained & provides essential mental stimulation
- Soft & gentle on the mouth
- Encourages play & family bonding time
- Extremely durable
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable for dogs to pick up
- Suitable for a game of fetch
- Cons
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
The JW Pet Company Sphericon Rubber Dog Toy is an excellent choice for interactive playtime with your pup. This football dog chew toy is perfect for gentle chewers or teething puppies. You can play tug, fetch, chew, or stuff it with toys and treats.
The durable rubber toy has a textured surface perfect for tossing and fetching. It also wobbles and bounces in unpredictable ways, providing your dog with hours of fun. This toy is also easy to clean—rinse it off with soap and water. This is a good toy for medium and large breeds.
Features
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- Football-shaped toy with holes.
- 2 sizes: medium & large
- Assorted colors
- Natural rubber
- AJW Pet Toy
Infused with vanilla extract
- Pros
- Max glow version available for illuminated playtime after dark
- Easy to grip
- Bounces easily
- Buoyant design allows for worry-free play
- Easy to wash
- Perfect pet vacay dog soccer ball
- Unique bite zones help dogs grip the toy while holding or carrying it
- Extremely durable design
- Suitable for fetch & to encourage playtime
- Cons
- Not as durable for super chewers
We very much like Petmate football for dogs. This is because the Chuckit dog football toy has a deep-ridged, grooved design that is easy for dogs to pick up and carry. It’s perfect for dog parks, pet vacays, and playtime in your garden.
The takeaway with the Petmate Chuck is that it’s puncture-resistant making it the ideal football for those aggressive chewers. The Chuck It features durable rubber, EVA foam, and polyester materials and floats in water.
So it’s a must-have for pet vacays! Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty, so your pup can have years of fetching fun! This product features over 1,600 positive reviews and is suitable for medium and large breeds.
Features
- Deep-ridged, grooved design
- Over 1,600 positive reviews
- Orange blue color
- Puncture resistant
- Floats in water
- Affordable
- Bright colors & glow version
- Charge the Max Glow version under bright light
- Durable rubber, foam, & polyester construction
- Pros
- Perfect for outdoor fun or gifting
- Encourages play
- It makes a squeaking sound that dogs love
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- The rope part is very durable.
- Cons
- It may not work with aggressive chewers.
We like this Nerf set because it makes for the perfect gift set. This set features a Nerf Dog 3-piece set that contains the following:
- 30-inch-long Tuff Tug squeaking football
- Crunch and squeak 4-inch ball
- Crunch and squeak 6-inch football
If your dog loves to play fetch, then you know how important it is to have a good toy that can stand up to a lot of abuse. They are all made from Nerf Tough material that is lightweight and non-toxic. It’s also BPA-free, making it a safe choice for your pup. The set includes a variety of shapes and sizes and are brightly colored. This product has over 3,000 positive reviews and is another must-have for home or pet vacays.
Features
- Nerf inspired canine retrieving toys
- Optimized design & function
- Improved durability & performance
- Durable rubber body
- Set of 3
- Affordable
- Nerf material that’s soft on your pup’s mouth
- Pros
- Soft on dog's teeth, jaws & mouths
- Suitable for pool, lake, & beach
- Gentle on dog's mouth & teeth
- Durable
- Easy to wash
- Suitable for medium & large dogs
- Great for a game of pull, toss& tug
- Lightweight dog toy.
- Cons
- Pump not included
- Not suitable for aggressive chewers
This is another fun football dog toy that you can enjoy with your furbaby. We like this option because it features durable nylon tabs sewn into the seams. This allows for a new way to pull, toss and tug the lightweight dog toy. It’s a great ball to take to the beach or dog park.
The Hyper Pet “grab tabs” dog ball is one of the best interactive dog toys on the market. It is designed for both indoor and outdoor use, making it perfect for playing fetch or tug-of-war. The ball also comes in two size options so that you can choose the perfect one for your pup. This product has over 1,300 positive reviews.
Features
- Affordable
- Made of recycled & natural rubber, nylon, & polyester fabric.
- Over 1,300 positive reviews
- Crafted with erratic tabs & a handle
- Four sizes
- Two styles
Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Football Toy
When buying a football dog toy, there are several things that you need to consider. Below are a few reasons that will help you find the best dog football toy for your puppy.
Mind and body
Most dogs dislike being alone and feel understimulated and bored. With interactive toys, you don’t have to spend a fortune, and you’re keeping your puppy stimulated even when you’re not at home.
Dog toys like football change your relationship with your dog. They promote a healthy, safe, and interactive lifestyle. In addition, dog toys encourage mental and physical enrichment and allow for plenty of happy bonding time between family members and pets.
Play it safe
To avoid injury and keep football playtime fun, it’s best to tailor your games to your dog’s age and health. With so many new dog toys out on the market, it’s easy to get carried away when playing tug or football with your furbaby.
Football for Puppies
With puppies under six months, it’s essential to be mindful that during growth, there are soft areas at the ends of a dog’s bones where development continues. These areas cab be injured easily when puppies jump up and down.
You also have to keep in mind that all dogs can have accidents when chasing a football by flipping the end over and hurting their backs or even damaging their joints from the constant starts and stops.
That said, although dogs of any age can play football and other ball games, you should make sure that they’re low impact and controlled.
Senior Dogs Playing Football
Older dogs are not as agile and start to slow down. That said, you still need to provide your senior with a behaviorally enriched environment and play the correct interactive games with him.
Torn cruciate ligaments are a common injury with older dogs and come about due to too intense play. It’s always best if your puppy is obedience trained so that he can come when called and sit and relax when he needs to.
Keep in mind that outdoor games with balls may cause a lot more injury to senior dogs if he’s not fit to play those games. So if you’re starting, go slow and work your way up.
Opt-out of rough games with all dogs regardless of age and allow for more controlled, low-impact play, resulting in minor injury to dogs. If you’re in doubt about the best games for your dog breed, reach out to your veterinarian to find out if your dog can play a specific type of game outdoors. You should always make outdoor exercise time as safe and controlled as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries.
Your dog’s breed
Your puppy’s breed is essential when it comes down to deciding which games to play. For example, suppose you’re a pet parent of a Boston terrier or one of the brachycephalic breeds prone to breathing issues. In that case, you should probably avoid vigorous games or any prolonged outdoor play. Small dog breeds like the Daschund also shouldn’t engage in rough play.
How to teach your dog to play football?
As with any game, it’s best to go slow and be patient. You’re teaching your puppy a new game, and it may take your dog a while to get the hang of things. If your dog is not motivated to leave DOGTV and interact outdoors, you can encourage him with high-value treats. Always be consistent and teach your puppy in short sessions that end positively. Stop when your furbaby gets too excited, and remember to reward!
Cognitive workout
Football dog toys also work for fetching games – throw it and watch your puppy run after it! Toys like football allow for a strong connection between humans and pets and increase the quality of their interactions during playtime.
Interactivity via dog toys not only strengthens the human-dog bond but encourages regular outdoor exercise.
Not only are dog football toys an easy way to keep your dog active and fit, but it’s also perfect for promoting healthy teeth and gums. The rubber texture helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, keeping your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.
Dog toys like footballs are designed to re-engage a puppy’s hunting skills when pet parents throw the toy, with many of them featuring a random bounce and designed to float. It’s all about having shared experiences with your dogs and enjoying the outdoors together.
On top of being a blast to play with, football dog toys allow dogs and their humans to run around and act like crazy for a few minutes while effortlessly playing and having fun. These are wonderful experiences and memories to have.
Lastly, many of today’s dog toys feature safe and PVC-free materials that are non-toxic. They’re also dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean.