Dogs are social animals that love company especially from their owners. Fetch is one of the most common games that most dogs love to play. Playing not only keeps the dogs active and prevent them from engaging in destructive behaviors but it also help the dog exercise. Playing fetch helps the dog workout and keeps him active for a healthy lifestyle.
Playing fetch can be fun for your dog that he might not get enough of it. Your hands can become tired of throwing the ball when playing fetch with your dog. A tennis ball machine for dogs can provide you with an effortless way to let your dog enjoy playing fetch. A ball machine can allow your dog to play fetch even when you are not around. It is a great investment for dog owners that have dogs that love to play fetch.
Types of Ball Shooters for Dogs
Tennis ball machines for dogs are divided into three main categories. It is important for you to understand the different types of ball shooters for dogs to make it easier for you to choose the tennis ball machine that suits your dog’s needs. Here are the different types of tennis ball machines for dogs.
Manual Dog Ball Machine
Manual dog ball machines are the cheapest type of dog ball machines. They are ideal for outdoor play and require some of your effort to work. Some machines are capable of throwing a ball as far as 130 feet.
These dog ball machines are ideal for people who do not have any physical limitation and prefer to be involved in launching the tennis ball for their dog to play fetch. The dog ball machine is also ideal for those who have a tight budget or are unwilling to spend so much money on a tennis ball machine for dogs.
Semi-automatic Dog Ball Machines
Semi-automatic dog tennis ball machines resemble ball blaster guns, with or without the recoil lever. They are not as durable as manual ball launchers but have a better launching capability with limited effort unlike manual ball machines. They are a great choice for kids due to their design and features.
Automatic Dog Ball Machine
The automatic dog ball machines are designed to provide your dog with continuous entertainment of playing fetch with only limited involvement from you. They come with more added features than semi-automatic dog ball machines and manual dog ball machines. The dog ball machines make playing fetch comfortable and fun for you and your dog.
Automatic dog ball machines can be used to play fetch indoors or in enclosed spaces. They are however more costly than semi-automatic dog ball machines. It is also necessary for you to train your dog to use the ball machine to make it easier for him to enjoy playing fetch even in your absence.
The best tennis dog ball machine should allow you to throw or launch the ball to the desired distance effortlessly. Based on your preference, physical condition and budget, you can select a manual, semi-automatic or an automatic dog ball launcher.
Factors to Consider when Shopping for the Best Tennis Ball Machine for Dogs
To make it easier for you to identify and buy the best tennis ball machine for dogs, we have provides you with some important features to look out for in the best ball shooters for dogs. Here are some of the features to consider.
Dog Breed, Age and Size
The age size and dog breed are important factors to consider when shopping for a tennis ball machine for dogs. Large dogs can easily swallow small balls or get the ball lodged in the dog’s throat. On the other hand, small dog breeds may be unable to handle large tennis balls. When buying a ball machine for your dog, ensure that the machine can take the ideal size of tennis balls that suit your dog breed and jaw size.
Ball machines for dogs use a specific size of tennis ball. The standard size of tennis ball that most dog ball machines use is 2.5-2.6 inch. Tennis dog ball machines that use the standard sized tennis ball are ideal for medium to large dog breeds. If you have a small dog breed, you need to buy a small ball machine.
Type of Play
The type of play that you want your dog to have is also important when buying the best tennis ball machine for dogs. Determine if you intend to use the machine for indoor or outdoor play to help you know what distance is ideal for the machine to throw the ball. If you intend to use the machine to play fetch with multiple pets, you need to look for a ball machine that is capable of doing that.
Design and Construction
The design and construction of the dog ball machine Different tennis ball machines are made with different materials. Most machines are made of high-quality durable plastic. It is important for you to consider the length and flexibility of the ball machine. The longer the ball machine, the further it can throw the ball. It is also important to note that heavier machines can throw the balls farther than lighter dog ball machines.
If you intend to buy slingshot ball shooter, look for the quality of the rubber sling. For semi-automatic dog ball machine, look for the quality of the spring and design of the recoil lever. When buying an automatic tennis ball machine for dogs, consider the reliability of the auto-shooting parts and precision of the different settings the machine provides.
Additional Features
You may also need to consider the number of balls that come with the machine. Most dog ball machines come with one tennis ball but you can get ball machines that have two or more tennis balls. If you are a stylish person, you may also want to consider the color combination of the ball machine. Some tennis ball machine come in a single standard color combination while others are available in multiple color combinations. The warranty of the ball machine is also very important to consider especially for automatic ball machines since they are relatively pricier.
Top 10 Best Tennis Ball Machines for Dogs
Identifying the best ball shooter for dogs can be challenging due to the different brands available in the market today. To make it easier for you to select the best tennis ball machine for dogs that suits your dog, we have tested some of the to-rated ball shooters in the market and selected the most reliable and durable ball machines for dogs. Here are reviews for 10 of the best ball shooters for dogs in the market.
#1) iFetch Too Interactive Ball Launcher review
The iFetch Too Interactive Ball Launcher is an automatic dog ball launcher that makes it easy and fun for your dog to play fetch. It is an award-winning, US-family owned innovative ball launcher designed for medium to large dog breeds. The ball launcher use regular sized tennis balls that have 2.5-2.6 inch diameter. It is capable of throwing the ball to a distance of 10, 25 or 40 feet.
The interactive ball launcher comes with a big bowl to put the ball in. It includes a ball sensor which activates the launching motor only when there is a ball in the bowl. The ball machine shoots the ball immediately, thus you don’t need to train your dog to put in the ball from the rear to avoid being hit by the launched ball. It has a distance lock that let you lock the launch setting irrespective of the option selected, making the ball machine ideal for backyard and enclosed spaces as well.
Pros
- The ball launcher comes with a rechargeable internal battery which once fully recharged, it can launch more than 200 times.
- It comes with three standard tennis balls.
- The launcher has adjustable launching ranges of 10, 25 and 40 feet, making it ideal for backyard play.
- It comes with a ball sensor which activates the launching motor only when there is a ball in the bowl.
- The manufacturer has great customer service and the device is backed by one-year warranty.
- It includes a distance lock that let you lock the launch setting irrespective of the option selected.
Cons
- It is a costly tennis ball machine for dogs.
- The ball launcher needs regular cleanup to prevent slime buildup in the motor and gears.
- It lacks a front motion sensor thus the launched ball can cause injury to your pet if not properly trained.
#2) Playball Automatic Ball Launcher
The Playball Automatic Ball Launcher is a reliable automatic dog ball launcher that is easy to operate. It is an affordable ball launcher that can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. The ball launcher features a pet-friendly design that has a big opening on the top, allowing the dog to easily place the ball inside of it.
The Playball ball launcher allows you to use one of the three different distance settings provided. The highest distance is ideal for the outdoor fun. It can use both the power cord and the rechargeable batteries, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor uses. The tennis ball machine for dogs comes with 3 smooth, saliva resistant balls that can’t get stuck inside the device.
Pros
- It is a reliable dog ball machine that can use both the power cord and the rechargeable batteries, making it suitable for bot indoor and outdoor purposes.
- The ball launcher has a pet-friendly design with a big opening on the top, making it possible for the dog to easily place the ball inside of it.
- It provides you with three different distance settings to let you choose the distance that suits your situation.
- The automatic dog ball launcher includes with 3 smooth, saliva resistant balls that can’t get stuck inside the device.
Cons
- Batteries are not included.
#3) BallReady Ball Machine for Dogs
BallReady Ball Machine for Dogs is a popular dog ball machine that has an attractive look and innovative features. It is designed to reward your dog with treats during the game of fetch. The dog ball machine comes with a plastic plate on the side that can be used to provide your dog with his favorite food.
Dog owners can set the machine to dispense food in preferred time intervals, allowing your dog to have food when you are not around. It comes with included Lithium-ion battery that allows you to use the machine outdoors. The ball machine has a throwing capacity of up to 5 meters. The snack releasing function can be set according to your liking to control the amount of treat the machine releases. It comes with a 1-year warranty that caters for defects on construction.
Pros
- The ball machine can be set to dispense food in preferred time intervals, allowing your dog to have food when you are away.
- It comes with a Lithium-ion battery that allows you to use the machine outdoors.
- The device has a throwing capacity of up to 5 meters.
- It includes a 1-year warranty that caters for defects on construction.
- The ball launcher has a plastic plate on the side that can be used to provide your dog with his favorite food.
- The snack releasing function can be set to control the amount of treat the machine releases.
Cons
- It does not shoot the ball too far.
#4) Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher
Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher is a reliable automatic dog ball machine that is easy to use. It is ideal for small or medium sized dogs. The ball launcher provides you with adjustable distance settings of up to 30 feet. It produces some noise when launching the ball which can distract your dog at first but when your dog gets used to it, they can be trained to recognize what the noise means.
The dog ball machine comes with a funnel that has a decent size to make it easy for your pet to drop the ball back in. It has a built-in treat dispenser to help reward-train your dog. You can add your dog’s favorite food or treat to make playing fetch more interesting for your dog. The device is rechargeable so there’s no need for batteries. It comes with 3 non-abrasive pet safe tennis balls.
Pros
- It features an adjustable distance setting of up to 30 feet.
- The dog ball launcher is very easy to use.
- It has a large funnel that makes it easy for your dog to drop the ball inside.
- The automatic dog ball machine is rechargeable so you do not need batteries.
- It includes 3 non-abrasive pet safe tennis balls.
- The Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher comes with a built-in treat dispenser to help reward-train your dog.
Cons
- It produces some noise when launching the ball which can distract some dogs.
#5) PetSafe Auto Ball Launcher
The PetSafe Auto Ball Launcher is a durable and reliable ball launcher that comes with multiple safety features. It is an attractive ball launcher that offers you 9 range settings, which is more than what most launchers offer. You can set the distance by using the knob on the side of the machine. It has angle settings to let you shoot the ball in different directions.
The ball launcher has a safety sensor located on the front of the device. The safety sensor protects people and pets from the thrown balls to the distance of about 7 feet away from the unit. When the sensor detects the motion in the area, it will pause for 5 seconds. It is a great choice for people who have safety as their primary concern.
Pros
- It comes with a safety sensor to protect people and pets from the thrown balls.
- The ball launcher provides you with 9 range settings that can be set using the knob on the side of the machine to the range that suits your situation.
- It lets you shoot the ball in different angles by setting the angle setting.
- The device pauses for 5 seconds when the sensor detects the motion about 7 feet away from the unit.
- It has an attractive design that makes it stand out.
Cons
- The motion sensor feature can be annoying for some users.
#6) iDogmate Ball Machine
The iDogmate Ball Machine is a quality tennis ball machine for dogs that is capable of launching a ball to 10, 20, 40, or 50 feet of distance. It has a random” setting, which helps you keep your dog guessing. The ball machine lets you switch between different ranges easily using the remote controller.
The ball machine has rechargeable Li-ion batteries that let you use the device outdoors. It is capable of throwing the ball up to 1000 times. The ball machine offers up to 50-feet ball tossing capability. It provides you with the choice to select between a custom or random throwing session to ignite more fun for your dog. It uses standard tennis balls with non-abrasive features, making it easy for you to find replacements.
Pros
- It comes with rechargeable Li-ion batteries that make it possible to use the ball machine outdoor.
- The dog ball machine provides you with up to 50-feet ball tossing capability
- It is designed to let you select between a custom or random throwing session to make playing fetch more fun for your dog.
- iDogmate Ball Machine utilizes standard tennis balls which are easy to find.
- It comes with a remote controller which makes it easy for you to switch between different ranges.
- The ball machine has an auto-play and auto-shut feature.
Cons
- The balls that come with the machine are poor quality.
#7) GoDogGo Dog Ball Machine
GoDogGo Dog Ball Machine is a reliable ball launcher for dogs that is made of quality material to ensure durability. It features a spiraling green bucket, which serves a ball-feeding chute, The feeding chute is large, making the ball machine the only one in the market that allows you to load more than one ball at one time.
The machine comes with an AC adapter, three tennis balls of the standard size, one rubber ball, and a remote control. The AC adapter allows you to power the ball machine. It does not have rechargeable batteries for effective outdoor use. The remote control makes it easy for you to change the throwing intervals, launch the ball, or put the device into the auto-launch mode.
Pros
- It provides you with the ability to load more than one ball at once.
- The dog ball machine has a large loading chute which makes it easy to load the balls.
- It comes with 3 tennis balls of the standard size and one rubber ball.
- The GoDogGo Dog Ball Machine features a remote control to make it easy for you to change the throwing intervals, launch the ball, or put the device into the auto-launch mode.
- It has a pet-friendly design that is highly durable.
Cons
- The ball machine does not feature rechargeable batteries for outdoor use.
- It launches high into the air which makes it impossible to use it indoors.
#8) Max Dog Ball Launcher
Max Dog Ball Launcher is a spring loaded ball launcher that is easy to use. It comes with a brown firing pin can be used to adjust the launch distance from 45 ft. up to 90 ft. The ball launcher is designed to let you launch the ball safely without getting your face in the way. It has a durable and sturdy construction that features 2 identical plastic molds held in place by stainless steel screws that are rustproof.
The ball launcher allows you to launch one ball at a time. It is a lightweight ball machine that is easy on your arms and shoulders. The device utilizes Max Launcher Flying Disc to make the game unpredictable for your pet. It can use regular sized tennis balls but it is recommended to use the Max Dog Balls since they are free from toxic materials and glue.
Pros
- It is a reliable dog ball launcher that offers you hand free pick up.
- The ball launcher comes with 2 identical plastic molds held in place by stainless steel screws that are rustproof to ensure durability.
- It provides you with Max Launcher Flying Disc to make the game unpredictable for your dog.
- Max Dog Ball Launcher features a brown firing pin can be used to adjust the launch distance from 45 ft. up to 90 ft.
- It has a lightweight design that is easy on your arms and shoulders.
Cons
- The ball launcher only comes with one ball.
- It can only launch one ball at a time.
- The launcher is too loud for some dogs.
#9) Nerf Dog Compact Tennis Ball Blaster
The Nerf Dog Compact Tennis Ball Blaster is a semi-automatic ball launcher that is compatible with any standard sized tennis ball. It is very easy to use. The ball blaster lets you adjust the launch distance from the maximum of 50 feet to suit your environment. It is ideal for outdoors but can be used for indoors.
To use the ball blaster, you need to pull back the handle to load the ball into the barrel and click the trigger to launch. It offers you a slobber-free/hands free pick up by rolling the barrel back over the ball. The tennis ball launcher comes with a pack of four balls.
Pros
- It is a durable dog ball blaster that is easy to use.
- The tennis ball blaster allows you to adjust the launch distance from the maximum of 50 feet to suit your situation.
- It includes a pack of 4 balls for convenience.
- Nerf Dog Compact Tennis Ball Blaster provides you with a slobber-free/hands free pick up by rolling the barrel back over the ball.
- It is compatible with any standard sized tennis ball.
#10) Franklin Pet Supply Dog Fetch Toy
Franklin Pet Supply Dog Fetch Toy is a manual dog ball launcher that is easy to use. It has a long handle with a flexi-section for extra control while flinging. The handle has been designed to stay comfortable in your hand. It is lightweight and will not weight down your hand. It is a durable dog ball launcher that has a solid and sturdy construction.
The ball launcher provides you with hands-free ball pick-up. It comes with a squeaky tennis ball for convenience. It is an affordable dog ball launcher that is ideal for those on a tight budget. If you need a manual dog ball launcher, the Franklin Pet Supply Dog Fetch Toy is a great choice.
Pros
- It features a solid construction frame that is durable and reliable.
- The dog ball launcher handle has been designed to stay comfortable in your hand.
- It has a long handle with a flexi-section for extra control while flinging.
- The Franklin Pet Supply Dog Fetch Toy comes with a squeaky tennis ball for convenience.
- It is an affordable dog ball launcher that is ideal for those on a tight budget.
Cons
- It is a manual ball launcher thus it can be tiring to use for a long period.
Conclusion
The best tennis ball machine for dogs should be easy to use and it should be durable and reliable. We have reviewed some of the ball shooters for dogs in the market to make it easy for you to select the ball machine that suit your need and budget.
The tennis dog ball machines we have reviewed vary in the features they offer and their prices. You can select the dog ball shooter for dogs that suits your situation. We hope that you can now easily identify and select a tennis ball machine for dogs that suits your pet’s needs.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
