A dog ball launcher helps your pup to exercise in style. It’s also a fun way for you as a pet owner to interact with your dog. The game of fetch can be a fun bonding activity between you and your dog, but your arm can quickly get tired throwing a ball over and over again. The use of a dog ball launcher will make this task much easier.
The use of a dog ball launcher helps to provide an excellent workout for your dog and also promotes an active lifestyle. This will generally help your dog to maintain an excellent physical appearance and be healthy. We’ve reviewed the top dog ball launchers on the market to help you make the right choice.
Our Top Picks
We’ve picked out our top 3 dog ball launchers from this guide. You can read our full reviews further down this guide.
Best Tennis Ball Thrower for Dogs: CHUCKIT Dog Ball Launcher
Editors Comments: “This is by far our favourite dog ball thrower to take out on a walk. The arm makes it incredibly easy for us or our children to throw the ball over 10 metres with little fuss. We use CHUCKIT Ultra Balls with this thrower to which give a higher bounce on landing to make it easier for our dogs to catch.”
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Best Automatic Dog Ball Launcher: iFetch Ball Launcher
Editors Comments: “If you’re looking for an automatic dog ball launcher to use in your home or garden, or to leave with your dog whilst unattended, then look no further. The iFetch is a great automated thrower that will launch a tennis ball up to 30 feet.”
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We have picked out some of our favourite dog ball launchers available in the UK:
CHUCKIT Dog Ball Launcher
This Chuckit Dog Ball Launcher is a manual ball launcher and is a great choice for those looking to get a ball launcher without breaking the bank. The Chuckit dog ball launcher has a simple design with a hands-free pickup. This will allow you to avoid touching a drool-covered ball. It also has an ergonomic handle, which makes it easy to hold, and a hanging hook which makes storing the ball launcher very easy after a play session. The range of the ball launched depends on your strength, but the simple design allows you to easily throw the ball significant distances both overarm and underarm.
Features
- It has a lightweight and portable design,
- Available for different dog sizes,
- It comes with only one Chuckit tennis ball
- It is manually operated
iFETCH Ball Launcher For Dogs
The iFETCH ball launcher is an automatic dog ball launcher. This will help you to play fetch with your dog hassle-free. This is the best ball launcher for small dogs since it comes with a mini tennis ball which is easier for them to pick up and carry. Launch distance can be adjusted between 10 and 30 feet, and it can be used for both indoor and outdoor fetch games. Because of its portability, it can be carried along with you when going on vacation.
Features
- It is portable
- It is easy to use
- It comes with a 1-year warranty
- It comes with a power cord and 6 batteries
- It has an adjustable shooting distance
Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster
The Nerf tennis ball blaster is another manual ball launcher for dogs, that requires the least effort . This ball launcher is one of the best manual dog ball launchers, and it comes with hand-free pickup. It comes with a pack of four standard sized Nerf tennis balls and you can cock it back to fire easily with a sliding top handle. This ball launcher is very reliable, and it can launch for the distance between 50 – 60 feet, great for fast runners! It is lightweight and easy to maintain, but the the only drawback is that it can only be used for outdoor games of fetch.
Features
- It is compatible with all Nerf balls
- It has hands-free pick up
- Very easy to use with less pressure
- It comes with four balls
- It can only be used outdoors
PETSAFE Automatic Ball Launcher
As the name implies, it is an automatic dog ball launcher which is easy to set up. It has an adjustable launching distance that can be set between 8 and 30 feet with six different angle settings. It has a safety sensor that prevents balls from being launched when an obstacle is standing in front of it. The only thing some people see as a drawback to this product is that the launcher has a long delay between reloads and your dog is required to be at least 7 feet away before it can launch the ball. But generally, this is a good safety measure for your dog.
Feature
- Presence of multiple sensors to keep you and your dog safe
- Launcher throws between 8 and 30 feet
- It is easy to use
- It has a 5-15 minutes rest interval
- It is water-resistant
- It comes with a 2 year warranty
IDOGMATE Dog Ball Launcher
The IDOGMATE Dog Ball Launcher is an automatic dog ball launcher. It usually comes with two small tennis balls. It is mostly suitable for smaller dogs, and it can be used for both indoor and outdoor fetch games. It has a wide top chute which makes it easy for pet owners and dogs to load the balls into the machine and there is a larger option available for bigger breeds of dogs. This ball launcher is consistent and is known to work reliably for a long time.
Features
- Easy to set up, adjustable shooting distance ranging from 10 – 35 feet,
- It has a dual power source,
- It has an arced wheel which helps to prevent wet or slobbery balls from becoming stuck
- It can be used indoors or outdoors
- It comes with a remote.
What To Look Out For When Buying a Dog Ball Launcher
The following factors need to be considered before you buy a ball launcher for your dog:
Your Dog’s Size
Most dog ball launchers come with a ball the size of a standard tennis ball, which is most suitable for medium and large dog breeds. But if you have a smaller dog, you should consider buying a launcher that’s equipped with a smaller jaw to fit their jaw size.
Place Of Use (Indoor or Outdoor)
If you plan to use the dog ball launcher indoors, you have to look for a device that has a short shooting range that is safe for limited spaces. If you want to have your fetch sessions in a large space, say your garden, or somewhere else, you can look for a more powerful outdoor dog ball launcher.
Variable Distance Settings
Most dog ball launchers have multiple distance settings. This will allow you to use the ball launcher with different pets, as you’ll be able to change the throwing distance so that each pet will enjoy their fetch activities, no matter their running speed or physical capabilities.
Source Of Power
AC powered ball launchers usually require an outlet to operate, but this will cut down the cost of replacing batteries each time. Battery-operated dog ball launchers will allow you to play with your dog anywhere but can get costly with the replacement of batteries.
Benefits Of Having a Dog Ball Launcher
The following are some of the benefits of having a dog ball launcher:
- Introducing the ball launcher to your dog will bring a surprise, but this will also improve its confidence as your dog learns how to operate the ball launcher.
- The ball launcher will help keep your dog in shape and, if necessary, help it lose weight by constantly having a fetch game available.
- It helps to keep your dog entertained and physically active even when you are not around.
- For older dog owners, using an automatic dog ball launcher is the best option for you as this will help to maintain the bond between you and your dog with little or no effort.
- The dog ball launcher will help to improve and develop your dog’s mental abilities and keep its mind stimulated.
Buying Guide For a Dog Ball Launcher
As a dog owner, you need to carefully select the best ball launcher for your dog. In doing this, you need to consider and evaluate your options. The following are some of the things you need to think of before deciding on which dog ball launcher to buy:
Automatic or Manual
The automatic ball launchers usually do the work for you because they do the launching without any effort from you. You just load the balls or train your dog to bring it back to the funnel. On the other hand, manual dog ball launchers will require some effort on your part as a dog owner. Using a manual dog ball launcher can make you tired quickly if you’re not in the best shape. That said, automatic launchers are usually more expensive than manual launchers.
Ball Size
Most dog ball launchers typically come with a standard size tennis ball which is suitable for medium and large dogs. But if your dog is a small one, you need to consider a dog ball launcher that uses a mini ball and is safe for small dogs.
Launch Distance
It is advantageous to buy a dog ball launcher that can change the launch distance and angle. This can be helpful when playing with multiple dogs or pets, as it gives multiple options for different types of play. It would help if you understood that launchers with short launch distance are best used indoors while those with a long launch distance are designed for outdoor use. Some will work in both environments, so pick what’s best for you!
Power Source
A dog ball launcher can either come with wall plug or replaceable batteries. To avoid the cost of replacing batteries from time to time, you should consider buying one with an AC plug. With a plug, however, it means you might not be able to travel with it when going on vacation.
Presence Of Safety Sensor
The presence of a safety sensor in a dog ball launcher is of great importance. If a safety sensor is in place, this will prevent the ball from hitting your dog, thereby preventing unforeseen injuries. You should strongly consider buying a ball launcher that has a built-in safety feature that causes throwing to stop when your dog (or any other thing, including people) is in the way of the sensor. This might take more money out of your pocket than the ball launchers without a sensor, but it’s definitely worth it. The safety of your pet should be paramount to you.
The Price
You shouldn’t have to break the bank to acquire a suitable launcher for you and your pet. You should consider how much you’re willing to spend, as the more bells and whistles you want, the higher the price. The most important thing is for you to go for quality products. High price does not necessarily indicate high quality. You should also keep your eye out for a manufacturer’s coupon, which can help you save a bit of money.
Final Verdict
When looking for the best ball launcher for your dog, you need to know the different types that are available on the market. Once basic research is done, carefully look at their features and consider yourself and your dog before going ahead and making a pick. You can choose from the best dog ball launchers described above and enjoy an exciting fetch game with your dog.
Would you like to test products for us?
If you own a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or hamster we would love to talk to you about testing some of the products that we feature on Cutely. As a tester, we send you products (completely free of charge, and you keep them after!) to test and review with your pet. In return, we ask for your thoughts on the product, what you liked and didn’t like, and some photos of the product being used by your pet (all sent via email).
