Coates, Jennifer. August 14, 2015. “How to Get Dogs to Eat Slower”. PetMD. Retrieved February 6, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/dr-coates/2015/august/how-get-dogs-eat-slower-33018 The Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Treat Tumble is a perfect puzzle ball for any pup! A level 1 treat-dispensing dog puzzle, the Treat Tumbler will keep your dog intrigued as they roll the ball and sniff around to find ways to release the reward. Easy to fill with two treat-dispensing holes. Made with food safe BPA-free plastic that is easy to wipe clean for outdoor and indoor fun!BEGINNER’S PUZZLE… Usually, you will be playing with your balls for dogs outside in all weather conditions, so they need to be able to stand up to the task. Remember that larger dogs are more likely to damage a ball as they have stronger gripping jaws, so they need toys that are made of more durable materials. Rubber dog balls are a classic choice for games of fetch outdoors. They can come in all shapes and sizes, but they have the advantages of being easy to grip, bouncy, and they also float on water. Most owners have at least one or two in their collection. Ball toys are a classic toy for interactive play that can provide hours of mental and physical stimulation. While you may think that your options are only limited to games of fetch, there are also the interactive dog toys that contain treats, providing more mental stimulation, while some balls float on water for swimming games. There are even those that have ropes through the middle, giving you a chance to play tug of war. Interactive play helps to build up a bond between pet and owner, as well as helping your dog to socialize and learn what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Take a look at our articles on the best dog toys, best chew toys for puppies and best dog treats.

When it comes to dog toys, the quality of the material they are made of is always the most important factor. You always want to make sure that the things your dog chews on are safe to use - and not everything is.The way it works is that there are four little tabs on the top and bottom of the ball. When you cut a tab, the treats will fall out just a bit more easily.

Furballz also sports a fuzzy, plush exterior that some dogs love to cuddle. Other dogs may eat the fuzz, so keep an eye on them while playing. This leaves you and your common sense as the only thing standing between your dog and toxic or otherwise harmful toys. Toys made of various forms of plastic or vinyl, for example, can contain various toxic additives [ 5]. In some ways this links to durability, but it is slightly different at the same time. If your dog is older, a young puppy with developing teeth, or they have dental issues, a softer ball is more appropriate. However, if your dog has a stronger jaw, they need something tougher that they cannot bite through with such ease. Made from non-toxic rubber, they’re easy to stuff with treats (or peanut butter) to increase your dog’s interest. Though nothing truly replaces brushing your pup’s teeth, veterinary dental specialists agree that textured toys like these balls can play a part in your dog’s dental health.

When it comes to filling up the Starkmark ball, you can make a DIY funnel quite easily by cutting the bottom off of a lotion bottle. Then just nudge the bottle top into the whole opening and start adding kibble!

If you are in need of a simple and classic yet durable ball for your dog, SportsPet Rubber Balls are perfect. They are always non-toxic and come in an array of bright colours for high visibility. You won’t believe how high these bounce! Also available as the SportsPet tough bounce for dog's that have a strong bite.As well as being super stretchy, this quirky toy is super tough and can withstand games of tug as well as fetch. Woof! That said, pet parents praise their overall durability. And if your dog manages to take a chunk out of one, the food-grade rubber is unlikely to form a sharp edge. Rated a top product by numerous magazines and called the “world’s best dog ball” by industry experts, the Orbee-Tuff Ball is what put Planet Dog on the map! This durable and bouncy dog toy is made in the USA from BPA, lead, and phthalate-free materials that you can trust. In addition to being an ideal fetch and chew toy, the Orbee-Tuff Planet Balls can be stuffed with your pup’s favorite treats to keep… Sure, plenty of pups won’t know the difference between a tennis ball for dogs and a tennis ball for humans. Pet parents, though, will appreciate Hyper Pet’s innovations for dogs. RSPCA Australia. February 20, 2019. “Making playtime a good time for you and your pet”. Retrieved February 6, 2023. https://www.rspca.org.au/blog/2019/making-playtime-good-time-you-and-your-pet

What I really love about this ball is the ability to adjust the difficulty. This is a unique feature for this product – I haven’t seen this option for any other treat balls I’ve used. The raspberry has openings on two sides (which is important for safety) and ample space inside for you to hide the treats. The opening on one side is quite large, but the shape of the treat makes the task of getting the treats out extra challenging.Keep in mind that once your dog gets the hang of the toy, he might be able to get treats out much more easily than on his first go. Similar to the snuffle mat, tie a few fleece strips to the ball and push the excess fabric inside (so the ties are filling up the center) . Drop a few of your dog’s favorite biscuit treats inside. He’ll need to roll and shake the ball to set the treats free! A loud internal squeaker appeals to a dog’s prey drive, too. Gnawsome balls are lighter than tennis balls, so they’re easy to throw. And they’re bouncy but not likely to destroy anything upon impact (unlike tougher toys). Games that involve treats, no matter if in the form of a ball or another puzzle, have many benefits for dogs. First of all, solving the challenge requires the dog to use the sense of smell, sight, as well as spatial orientation, which provides the mental stimulation every dog needs [ 1]. In addition, these toys can be a great way to calm dogs who seem always to be in search of food and gobble down everything too fast [ 2].