Best Dog Ball Launcher
If you are the owner of a super active pet dog that loves nothing more than playing fetch, then finding the best dog ball launcher is an absolute must. With the right product you will be able to keep your pooch entertained for hours whilst also stopping yourself from becoming fatigued, like you would if you were throwing ball for dog with your arm. To help you with finding the right dog ball thrower for both you and your pet dog we have scoured the market and identified six of, what we feel, the best dog ball launchers out there.
These six products make up the list of Our Top Pick. For each of these dog ball launchers we will provide an in depth review, state what their pros and cons are, and finally award them a star rating out of five. After this, we will give you answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to dog ball launchers and their potential dangers. Finally, based on all of this, we make a recommendation as to which of Our Top Picks we think is the best dog bal launcher launcher of all.
The Best Automatic Ball Launcher: Our Top Picks
paws pals automatic ball launcher
Rated by: Amber
petsafe automatic ball launcher
Rated by: Amber
hyper dog 4 ball launcher
Rated by: Amber
1. PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Coming with a whole host of different features, the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy is a reasonably cheap option for dog owners. It is able to launch balls at nine different distances and can be moved to six different angles of degrees, so that your pooch has a surprise every time that a ball fires out. Because it is resistant to water, it can be used in all outdoors in all weather conditions and comes with the option of being powered by either batteries or straight from the mains via a power cord.
This option makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. After fifteen minutes of continuous play, the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy turns itself off for the same amount of time in order to stop your dog from over exerting itself and becoming exhausted. Tennis balls are included with this and are of the standard shape and size, so are easy to replace once they become worn out.
It is also compatible with smaller balls that are better suited to smaller breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Japanese Chins.
Because it has multiple sensors, there is no danger of it firing balls at anyone that is stood in front of the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Launcher Dog Toy. That includes both humans and dogs. Before each ball launch, a noise is emitted, and noises are also emitted just before and after the fifteen minute interval. This helps with training your pet dog.
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2. Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher Toy
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
This small and easy to use ball launcher has been specifically designed with smaller and medium sized dog breeds in mind. So where Brussels Griffons and American Foxhounds will enjoy the Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher Toy, larger dogs such as English Mastiffs and Saint Bernards will not, as the two inch tennis balls that it uses are too small for them. Once these need replacing, they are easy to find from various pet shops or online.
There are three different settings on the Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher Launcher Toy that allow you to choose between the ball being launched, 10 ft., 20 ft., or 30ft. This allows you to use it both indoors and outdoors. It is powered either by mains electricity via a power cord or by a battery that is completely rechargeable. When using the battery, it gives as many as several hours of continuous play.
The Paws & Pals Automatic Dog Ball Launcher Toy features a useful compartment for storing doggy treats in, as well as for administering them. This is because, whenever your pet dog puts a ball back into it, they are rewarded with a treat - treat dispensing dog toys can also be a great way to do this.
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3. Felix & Fido Playball! Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
The stylish, streamlined, and colourful design of the Felix & Fido Playball! Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs is perfect for those dog owners that want bright and bold ball launchers. It can be powered by either batteries (6 x C batteries) or directly by the mains power. Therefore, it can be used either indoors or outdoors, as well as taken with you when travelling. Upon colleting the ball that has been launched out, your pet dog can then return it and put it back into the ball launcher for it to be launched again at a distance of up to twenty feet.
Because it does not use regular standard tennis balls, there is no danger of them getting covered in both dirt and saliva when used outdoors, as their smooth plastic coating is resistant to these. The three balls that come with the Felix & Fido Playball! Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs are one and a half inches in size, which means that it is suited more to small breeds of dogs, such as Bichon Frise and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. It is not compatible with regular sized tennis balls and so you should not try putting them into the ball launcher launcher.
It comes with three different settings for the distance at which the balls are shot from out of the Felix & Fido Playball! Automatic Ball Launcher for Dogs and is even able to adjust automatically to the space that it is being used in as not to launch the balls too far. The manufacturer guarantees your satisfaction, so if you experience any issues with the ball launchers, they will sort them for you free of charge.
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4. Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Ball Launcher Dog Toy
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Resembling some sort of firearm from the future, the Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy is a fun, yet practical device that enables you to play a game of fetch with your pet dog. This is because it is capable of firing a ball as far as seventy five feet. The ball that is included is made from a rubber that is safe for pets to have in their mouth and has the same dimensions as a regular tennis ball, so replacements are easy to obtain. Featuring a compartment that allows you to store an extra ball, you should never be without one for your pet dog to play with.
The Hyper Pet K9 Kannon K2 Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy boasts a built in mechanism that enables you to pick up the ball without the use of your hands. This means that you can play outdoors with your pet for hours without getting fatigued.
The ball launchers is really easy to use and despite of the distance that it sends the balls, it does not produce and loud or frightening sounds that may scare your pet dog.
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5. Chuckit! Ball Launcher
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
As far as manual ball launchers go, they do not get any more affordable or easy to use than the Chuckit! Ball Launcher. It is available in a number of different color and size options, so you will be sure to find one that suits both you and your pet dog. The larger the ball throwers, the further the distance that the balls will go when launched. So if you have a large active dog, such as an Australian Cattle Dog or an American English Coonhound, then it is advisable to go for the biggest size. Thanks to its unique and innovative design, you are able to pick the ball up without the use of your hands.
As a result of this, there is no need to have to touch slimy or dirty balls that your dog brings back to you. This should help to stop your from getting overly fatigued when playing with your dog. The slim line design of the Chuckit! Ball Launcher Launcher means that it is portable and can be taken with you when travelling or on vacation.
The ball that comes included has been constructed from a special material so that it floats on water.
This makes it ideal for those breeds of dogs that like to swim, such as Portuguese Water Dogs and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and means it can be used when at the beach or near a river / lake. Additionally, the bright color of the ball works to keep your dog engaged and chase after the ball each and every time that it is thrown.
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6. Hyper Dog 4 Ball Launcher
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
This high tech device is better suited to larger more active dogs, such as German Wirehaired Pointers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, given the fact that it launches tennis balls up to a distance of two hundred feet. The robust design of the Hyper Dog 4 Ball Launcher sees it made from a strong stainless steel that is resistant to both chipping and rust. Included are four regular standard tennis balls, which should all keep your dog very active and take time before you need to buy new ones.
The Hyper Dog 4 Ball Launcher does not require any assembly one your purchase it and thanks to its clever design, can even be folded up; making it ideal for taking with you on your travels or on vacation.
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FAQs – A Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have reviewed the dog ball launchers in Our Top Picks, you may have some idea as to which of them will suit both you and your pet dog best. However, before you make your mind up, be sure to read our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these products. So that you get the best best information, we have contacted the experts and done the research on your behalf.
Are ball throwers bad for dogs?
Some veterinarian professionals have stated some concerns around tennis ball throwers that launch balls a long distance. Running after the tennis ball after it has been launched can put unnecessary and excessive strain on a dog’s cartilage, muscles, and joints, which could lead to chronic health conditions such as arthritis. This is because during such activity, dogs go from being stood still to running at full speed, whilst also jumping through the air, stopping themselves, and skidding. You might want to use a training dog harness on small pups before getting them to partake in strenuous activity such as this to build up their strength and fitness.
Couple this with it being done on uneven surfaces, or down a hillside and it is a recipe for trauma to a dog’s muscle and skeletal system. This is often made worse by the fact that, because the dog is so excited at the prospect of getting the ball, it continues running through the pain. If they experience severe trauma, this can in fact reduce their life expectancy. For this reason, it is important that all dogs warm up before being let off of their leash.
How do tennis ball launchers work?
The vast majority of automatic tennis ball launcher work by using a rotating wheel inside. When switched on, the fans inside of the ball launchers draws air in from outside and pushed it into a canister. The air that comes into the tennis ball launcher passes through a foam slab, which screens debris out and protects the fan of the motor. The tennis balls are pushed into the require area for launch via an electric hopper.
Once in place the rotating wheel presses against the ball and so builds up a large amount of pressure, which eventually forces the ball down a tube and out of the opening. This process is repeated every time that a ball is put into the tennis ball launcher. Many have the ability to change the height and length at which the ball is launched, thus providing more options for your pet dog’s playtime.
Who invented the Dog Ball Launcher?
The dog ball launcher was first invented by a North American company called GoDogGo Inc. The company currently holds the patent for this, as well as manufacturing it, and retailing it. The automatic dog ball launcher was introduced to the marketplace in 1999. It was created as a result of a need for entertaining the company owners Labrador that was crazy for tennis balls and playing fetch.
Thanks to their efforts in keeping dogs across the world entertained for hours, the company has one countless different awards, as well as being recognized for their commitments in their products.
How far can you throw a Chuckit?
This all depends on the size of the Chuckit that you use. With the largest one, you can throw a ball a distance of further than one hundred and forty feet. However, this does require some practice. Without practice, most people are able to throw a ball up to about one hundred feet long. Both of these distances are way beyond what the average person would normally be able to throw without the aid of a Chuckit ball launcher.
The Best Automatic Dog Ball Launcher Of All
So there you have it, you have almost made it to the end. We have review all of the products in the list of Our Top Picks, answered the most frequently asked questions regarding dog ball launchers, so all that is left is to make our recommendation as to which one we think is the best dog ball thrower of all. Although this has not been an easy decision given the quality and range of products that we have looked at, we did eventually settle on the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy.
This is because it is versatile in that it can be used both indoors and outdoors, it comes with standard tennis balls that can be easily and cheaply replaced, as well as it being compatible with smaller sized tennis balls, and unlike some of the other products in the list of Our Top Picks, it is suitable for all breeds of dog, regardless of their shape or size. The only downside to the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy is that over time the power that it possess diminishes and so it is unable to launch the tennis balls as far a distance.
