The Best Dog Toys for Fetch

Key Facts

• The #1 Best Overall dog toy for fetch is the KONG Classic Flyer Dog Toy.
• When you’re shopping for a toy to play fetch with your dog consider the following characteristics: material, safety, durability, and use.
• There are pros and cons to each type of toy featured in this review. We’ve provided an at-a-glance chart for each one for your convenience.

It’s a classic tale, that of an owner and their dog playing fetch. Whether at home or out at a park, nothing is more quintessential than the image of this long-loved pass-time. Playing fetch not only enriches your dog’s life, but yours as well. Fetch is a great way to incorporate physical activity into your and your dog’s life. Additionally, fetch can be a wonderful tool for training purposes, engaging your dog’s mental prowess and providing a sense of satisfaction after every game.

To safely enjoy playing fetch you’ll want to select the right toy to stand up to the type of use it will see and be durable enough to enjoy many more games to come. We’ve reviewed the best dog toys for fetch below to help narrow your search and we’re sure you’ll find the right choice for you and your pup.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Dog Toys for Fetch

#1 Best Overall: KONG Flyer Rubber Flying Disc Dog Toy

The Kong Rubber Flying Disc is the perfect option for playing fetch. It is made of the same classic, durable rubber as many other Kong products, which means it can stand up to repeated use and play. Additionally, the rubber is soft and flexible so it will be gentle on your dog’s teeth and gums. It comes in both smaller and larger sizes so you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your dog. This choice will stimulate your dog’s natural instinct to play and provides hours of entertainment and healthy exercise. 

The main issue that reviewers had with this toy is that it’s not indestructible. Their dogs chewed the edges.

Pros and Cons of the KONG Flyer Rubber Flying Disc Dog Toy

KONG Classic Flyer Dog Toy

• Made of classic, durable rubber
• Soft and flexible
• Best for large dogs
• Do not use as a chew toy

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2. Best Squeak Football: Nerf Dog Spiral Squeak Football

The Nerf Dog Spiral Squeak Football combines the best aspects of playing fetch along with the irresistible squeak many dogs love. Made of durable rubber, this option is both lightweight and weather resistant. The Nerf Dog Spiral Squeak Football comes in high-visibility orange or green, so it’s easy for both you and your dog to keep track of when playing. The design and material are intended to withstand countless hours of fun and whenever it’s time to clean it’s as easy as putting it in your dishwasher! The Nerf Dog Spiral Squeak Football is a great choice for hours of fun with your pooch.

Several pet parents reported that their dogs destroyed or removed the squeaker in this toy within hours or days.

Pros and Cons of the Nerf Dog Spiral Squeak Football

Best Squeak Football

Nerf Dog Squeaker Spiral Football Dog Toy

• Made from durable rubber
• Comes in orange or green
• Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
• Water resistant

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3. Best Outdoor Ball Launcher: ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher

The Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher is the perfect option for dogs who like to go far and long to fetch. The ergonomic handle will alleviate the stress on your wrist and shoulders as well as having to bend down and strain your back. It also gives you control and comfort when playing fetch with your dog, along with the ability to throw the ball up to three times further!

Another benefit is you won’t have to handle messy, slobbery, drooly balls. This is a great investment as it’s sure to provide countless hours of entertainment and exercise for your furry friend. It comes with a brightly colored Chuckit! Ball that gives high visibility for both you and your pet, and is also compatible with most standard tennis balls. Along with outdoor use, you can cool off in the summer by playing fetch in the pool with your pup. Whatever the season you’re sure to get plenty of use and fun from the Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher.

Several reviewers said that the ChuckIt! Ball wasn’t durable and that their dogs destroyed them in short order.

Pros and Cons of the ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher

Best Outdoor Ball Launcher

Chuckit! Sport 14S Launcher Tennis Ball Bundle Dog Toy, Small

• Comes with an ergonomic handle
• Can throw ball 3 times further
• Comes with a brightly colored ball
• Can also use in the pool on warm days

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4. Best Ball and Treat Dispenser Toy: JW Pet HOL-ee Roller Dog Toy

The JW Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy is a great option for fetch because it’s a treat dispenser puzzle toy as well. It comes in small, medium, and large so whether you have a puppy or an adult dog you’re sure to find the size to suit their needs. It is made of non-toxic durable rubber and double molded to withstand even the toughest chewers. It’s available in three different designs (Roller, Extreme, and Giggler) that are easy for your dog to grab and retrieve. (Giggler has a motion-activated laughing sound.)The design also provides airflow while they chew. And the soft rubber is gentle on your dog’s teeth and gums.

The JW Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy provides hours of enrichment and stimulation by allowing for treats to be placed inside the toy. As your dog engages with the toy to remove the treats inside they’re enhancing their problem-solving skills and developing their mental abilities, which is a win-win!

Several reviewers said that their dogs destroyed this toy within minutes or hours.

Pros and Cons of the JW Pet HOL-ee Roller Dog Toy

Best Ball and Treat Dispenser Toy

JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy

• Functions also as treat dispenser puzzle toy
• Comes in various sizes
• Made from non-toxic durable rubber
• The dog can easily grab and retrieve the toy

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5. Best Indoor Dog Toy: Chuckit! Indoor Dog Toy

You can’t always get outside to play and the Chuckit! Indoor Dog Toy is the perfect option for hours of indoor fun. It’s constructed with Bounceflex Core Technology which provides a soft bounce that’s perfect for an indoor environment. Its multilayer construction provides added durability and the soft textured chenille fabric is a great option for puppies and smaller dogs as it’s soft on your pet’s mouth and easy for carrying. Additionally, these materials mean your walls and furniture will be protected when playing with your pup indoors.

The high-visibility colors will keep your dog interested and make it easy for both them and you to find. This also pairs well with the Chuckit! Ball Launcher. Whether fetching, bouncing, or rolling, this is sure to provide hours of entertainment. 

Some pet parents said that their dogs chewed this ball to bits when they were unsupervised.

Pros and Cons of Chuckit! Indoor Dog Toy

Best Indoor Dog Toy

Chuckit! Indoor Ball Dog Toy

• Made from soft textured chenille fabric
• Comes in high visibility colors
• Specially designed with soft bounce for indoor play
• Very durable

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6. Best Outdoor Rope Flying Disc: ZippyPaws Rope Gliderz Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc

The ZippyPaws Rope Gliderz Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc is a great choice for fetching, tugging, and chewing. It’s made of durable materials such as real mountain climbing rope and sturdy nylon. It’s both lightweight and easy to throw and will also withstand aggressive chewers. The cutout rope design allows for your dog to easily catch and play tug as well. Also, since it doesn’t contain any stuffing you won’t have to worry about a mess. The bright colors (blue, magenta, or yellow) are sure to keep your dog engaged and will be easy for both you and them to spot. The ZippyPaws Rope Gliderz Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc is sure to provide hours of fun for you and your dog.

A number of reviewers reported that their dogs destroyed this toy after a few uses.

Pros and Cons of ZippyPaws Rope Gliderz Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc

Best Outdoor Rope Flying Disc

ZippyPaws - Rope Gliderz Durable Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc

• Made from mountain climbing rope and sturdy nylon
• Lightweight and easy to throw
• Dog can easily handle the toy
• Can be used as a tug toy as well

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7. Best Tug of War and Fetch Toy: Kong Wubba Dog Toy

The Kong Wubba Dog Toy is a perfect option for even the pickiest of pooches. Its design is great for not only throwing and playing fetch but also a game of tug o’ war. The top two balls are covered in ballistic nylon and have reinforced stitching so it is very durable. One ball is a tennis ball and provides bouncing while the other is a squeaky ball which is perfect for play and chewing. At the end are flowing long tails which are ideal for tugging and easy to grab and toss. The Kong Wubba Dog Toy is sure to provide plenty of fun and engagement for your furry friend and be able to withstand repeated use.

Several buyers said that this wasn’t a chew toy and that their dogs destroyed it quickly.

Pros and Cons of the Kong Wubba Dog Toy

Best Tug of War and Fetch Toy

KONG Wubba Classic Dog Toy, Color Varies

• Very durable
• Provide hours of fun
• One of the balls squeaks for added fun
• Made with durable nylon

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best dog toys for fetch, there are a few details you’ll want to consider, such as material, safety, durability, and use. Let’s compare the following to ensure you’re able to find the right choice for your dog.

• Material: A dog loves to play, tug, chew, and toss so you’ll want to make sure you’re investing in a durable option, such as non-toxic rubber, sturdy nylon, or, cotton or polyester rope. It’s important to review the details of the product and know it can stand up to frequent play and activity.
• Safety: There are many options available to choose from however you’ll want to ensure the manufacturer is using safe, non-toxic materials that won’t harm your dog. Additionally, the design and construction of the toy should be conducive to allowing your dog to safely play with the toy. You don’t want their teeth to be chipped or gums scratched on hard materials, or contain materials that can break away easily and be a choking hazard.
• Durability: You know your dog better than they may know themselves! With a little research, you can find the right fit for your pup. If they’re aggressive chewers you’ll want to focus on materials that can hold up to frequent use. Or if they prefer to play outdoors you’ll want to find an option that’s easily cleaned and made to withstand the elements. 
• Use: Knowing if you’ll be playing indoors or outdoors or with one dog or many dogs will help you find a toy that can last. There are many options for indoor toys which usually see more use as they’re easily accessible and often used, versus outdoor toys that may only be used at the park or during specific playtime. 

The Different Types of Toys For Fetch: Pros and Cons

When choosing the best type of toys for playing fetch, it’s important to consider the options available for your dog. Whether you’ll be playing indoors, outdoors, or in the water even, you’ll want to consider the various types and designs of toys available to play fetch. 

• Flying Disc: A traditional option that offers a great choice for exercise and enrichment. It provides a larger surface to track and for your dog to catch and can withstand frequent use.
• Ball: A classic toy that provides both a bounce and size that generally all dogs are able to catch and play with. 
• Launcher: Great choice for hands-free throwing which allows you to throw farther and with greater ease on your wrists, shoulder, and back.
• Squeaker: Many choices may incorporate a squeaker in the toy which is perfect for stimulation and keeping your dog engaged in playtime.
• Tug: Often dogs not only want to play fetch but part of their natural instinct is to tug and chew. When your toy has options to facilitate this behavior it only adds to their enrichment.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type:

Flying Disc

Ball

Launcher

Squeaker

Verified Review: User Experience

Many users’ negative comments focused on durability. Some stated it didn’t last long with their ‘aggressive chewers’ however it’s important to keep in mind the manufacturer states it’s not meant for chew sessions. It’s natural for your dog to play, fetch, tug and chew but prolonged chewing will inevitably lead any toy to fall apart. Most were very happy with the construction and durability of the Kong Wubba Dog Toy. 

“She LOVES it!!!! It has all the things she loves in one item. There is a squeaky in it, but not really accessible to chew into it to find it. It has the “legs” which are great for tug play. And when she gets that thing whipping I make sure I am nowhere close to her so if it comes flying out of her mouth I don’t get thumped. The material is very strong and has not ripped or torn yet.“

Most users were thrilled with the ZippyPaws Rope Gliderz Outdoor Dog Toy Flying Disc. It provides both an option for playing fetch along with a game of tug. Again, of the negative comments, most users mentioned their dog is an aggressive or tough chewer. When left unsupervised nearly any dog can pull apart or destroy a toy, so it’s best to always supervise your pup and engage them when playing, as to keep them occupied and from hyper-focusing on the toy.

“My dog never used to play fetch, she didn’t really grasp the concept. However, I bought this flying disc and it has changed her life! She is OBSESSED with this flying disc. I can’t even say the word without her jumping around. Material is sturdy enough to maintain its shape through very vigorous play.”

Next Up

• The Best Automatic Dog Fetch Machines — Give your throwing arm a rest while your dog plays fetch with one of these dog fetch machines.
• The Best Interactive Dog Toys: Reviewed — Interactive dog toys are designed to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors by providing mental stimulation.
• Kong Guide: Everything You Need to Know — Kong is famous for making some of the most durable — and beloved — chewable dog toys available. Find out why.