The 5 Best Dog Treat Balls Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2023
Written By Vedrana Nikolic | Canine Coach, B.A Ethnology & Anthropology, M.A Semiotics.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 11th December 2023
For some canines, the ball is the centre of their world, the greatest toy known to canine kind.
What could possibly be better than a ball to fetch? Only a ball stuffed with treats!
Using a dog treat ball is just a great way to keep your dog stimulated, and these balls are exactly what we are going to talk about today. To help you find the best option for your beloved pooch, we teamed up with veterinarians and canine behaviourists to form a panel of independent experts. We then spent weeks testing the most popular dog treat balls Australia offers.
What did we discover? You'll have to read on to learn which options delighted every member of our expert team (as well as our dogs, of course!)
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
Chew King Fetch Balls
- Elastic but durable
- Made with natural rubber
- Features a safety air vent
- Available in 3 sizes
Runner Up -
Kazoo Rubber Treat Ball
- Bouncy
- Durable
- Holes on 2 sides
- Available in 3 different sizes
Third Choice -
Zenify Dog Treat Puzzle
- Non-toxic
- Helps with oral hygiene
- Long-lasting challenge
- Can be used for playing fetch
Australia's Best Dog Treat Balls Reviewed
Now, let's check out our favourite dog treat balls in Australia. These are the toys that every member of our team of independent experts loved giving to their dogs.
#1: Best Overall: Chew King Fetch Balls
What sets this product apart from the rest?
The Chew King Fetch Balls are among the most popular dog toys on Amazon, so there must be some reason behind their popularity. Well, there is not that much to say about it: these balls are simply very well made.
Made with only natural rubber, these balls are elastic and bouncy, but still very durable. There is a hole that goes right through the middle of the ball that you can stuff with treats. There are openings on both sides, which is also a good thing. When there is only one opening on the ball, there is a possibility of a dog’s tongue getting stuck by creating a vacuum seal while trying to get hold of the treat. When there is an opening on the other side, like on the Chew King balls, something like this can’t happen.
No matter if you decide to add treats or not, I discovered that these balls are also great for playing fetch. If the ball is left empty, the holes will produce a whistling sound while flying through the air which some dogs find super entertaining.
Additionally, everyone on our team of independent experts appreciated that these balls are available in 3 different sizes, similar to our second choice pick ahead. Getting the ball in the right size can be very important for keeping your dog interested in their new toy, so that’s definitely a plus.
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#2: Runner Up: Kazoo Rubber Treat Ball
The Kazoo Rubber Treat Ball is another classic. What is there to say about it? Similar to our number one choice, it’s a high-quality rubber ball with space inside for hiding treats.
The ball is made of rubber, as the name suggests, which is somewhat soft and therefore gentle on the dog’s teeth and gums while also being elastic which allows it to resist chewing attacks for quite a long time.
The ball is available in 3 different sizes so there is a good fit for most dogs. As we said before, choosing the right size is important since a ball that’s too small can pose a choking hazard. These balls come in bright colours too so it’s easier to find them if your pooch decides to tuck the ball away in some weird corner of your garden.
Related: Best Dog Treat Toys.
Some pet parents on our panel of pros found that their canine companions tend to empty this ball too easily, after which the toy stops being interesting. However, I found that there are ways to make the game more difficult, like filling the opening with something sticky, like peanut butter.
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#3: Best Dog Treat Ball With Teeth: Zenify Dog Treat Puzzle
For some dogs, regular treat balls can provide endless fun, but others figure them out all too quickly. They get the treats out in no time and then they get bored with the ball and leave it aside.
The solution? A ball that will provide a bit more of a challenge. The Zenify Dog Treat Puzzle Ball has a hole through the middle just like most treat balls out there. However, that’s not the only spot where you can hide treats.
The Zenify ball has creases down the sides all around the ball that are closed with rubber teeth. You simply need to take your dog’s favourite treats (it works better if they are smaller in size) and stick lots of them inside these crevices.
My dog is a food gobbler, yet it was almost impossible for him to get all those treats out of the ball quickly. So this ball will keep any canine entertained for quite some time. That makes the Zenify ball the perfect choice for keeping your dog entertained when you just don’t have time to play and they want it so much.
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#4: Cutest Treat Ball: Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Raspberry
The Orbee Tuff Raspberry puts a cute twist on the old treat ball game. The ‘ball’ is actually in the shape of a raspberry. The raspberry form is not only cute to the eyes, though. The knobby texture makes it especially fun for dogs to gnaw on.
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.
The ball is fairly soft but still durable. It is approximately the size of a golf ball, which makes it perfect for playing fetch. Keep in mind that this size is perfect for small to medium dogs, but it was too small for larger canines belonging to our team of independent experts. If your pooch is on the larger side, make sure to check out the other fruit shapes from the Planet Dog Orbee Tuff collection which come in different sizes.
Another thing we loved about the raspberry is that it’s bright pink in colour which makes it always easy to find. I also appreciated that like our number three choice above, it can help clean your dogs teeth as they chew and play.
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#5: Indestructible Treat Toy: Kong Extreme Dog Toy
This final pick is not really a ball, but it does perform all of the same functions! This weirdly shaped rubber toy is not only great for playing fetch, but it’s also perfect for stuffing with treats.
Kong is among the most well-known names in the world of dog toys, and there are good reasons behind that. They take great care when creating their rubber toys to achieve the right texture by using rubber with different densities. Their toys are available in softer and tougher versions, and this one is the most indestructible of all.
The Kong Dog Toy being tested by our independent expert team
While still elastic and bouncy (which makes playing fetch more fun), this toy is also very difficult to chew apart, unlike our number three and number four products above. Keep in mind that rubber that’s so strong needs to be heavy too. As a result, this toy weighs almost 400 grams. The weight is usually not a problem for the power chewers, though, and that's who the Extreme Kong was made for.
Related: What To Put In A Kong.
When it comes to treats, the elongated shape of this toy makes the challenge extra interesting. And when the game is over, I was able to simply throw the Kong into the dishwasher.
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How I Choose the Right Dog Treat Ball
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].
A dog treat ball is well, any ball that you can stuff with treats. But what makes some balls better than others? Here is what our team of independent experts suggest you think about:
Material
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.
When it comes to treat balls, they need to be tough. After all, the point of the game is to get the dog to try and reach the treats. Inevitably, this will involve some chewing attempts and you want the ball to be able to withstand that. Using a ball that is too soft would make it easy for the canines to chew it apart and the small bits can be a choking hazard.
So what kind of material should you look for when it comes to treat balls? In most cases, rubber is the safest option and preferably natural rubber. Rubber simply has the perfect texture for a toy that can be thrown around and lightly chewed on. It’s fairly elastic, so the surface isn’t too hard, but at the same time doesn’t break apart easily.
Safety
With any kind of toy (or object, for that matter) that goes inside your dog’s mouth, it’s important to pay attention to the safety of materials used. Unfortunately, the regulations regarding dog toy safety in Australia are very lax [4], and the regulation of the industry is generally neglected pretty much everywhere in the world.
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].
One of the most ubiquitous substances is Bisphenol-A or BPA. While there are differing opinions on the level of toxicity of BPA for dogs, newer studies do show that higher levels of BPA do have an impact on the dog’s microbiome [6], and that certainly doesn’t sound like good news.
The best course of action? Stick with trusted manufacturers and toys made of familiar materials - such as natural rubber. If the toy claims on the package to be BPA-free, that’s a good sign, but not definitive proof about its safety.
Size
When it comes to buying balls for dogs, choosing the right size is extremely important, so make sure to check that before buying a ball online. If a ball is way too small, for example, your dog might swallow it accidentally and you certainly do not want that. Balls that are too large, on the other hand, could appear interesting to smaller dogs. Unfortunately, there is no certain way to know which size is perfect for your dog. One just needs to make a guess and learn from experience.
Related: High Value Treats For Puppy Training.
Treats and Cleaning
Finally, we come to the interesting part - the treats hiding function. Most treat balls will have a single hole that goes through the middle of the ball. These tend to work quite well, although I had to experiment a bit to find treats that are the perfect size to hide inside without having them fall out immediately.
Some balls are designed to create an extra challenge, though. A popular example are the balls with rubber teeth on the sides, where you can hide the treats all over the surface of the ball as well as in the centre. For dogs that need a boredom reliever, this extra challenge can be very welcome.
My Final Verdict
What is the best dog treat ball? If you are looking for the classic treat ball, the Chew King Fetch Balls were definitely the favourite of our team of independent experts. They are simple but well-made and come in different sizes so there is something available for every dog.
If there are some extra features you want your treat toy to have, then have a look through the rest of the selections on our list. The Zenify Dog Treat Puzzle is a great choice if you are looking to tuck in more treats, and the Kong Extreme is perfect for power chewers.
Related: Are Dog Treats Healthy?
FAQ
You have a lot of freedom when it comes to what you stuff the treat ball with. You can put anything, from regular kibble to different kinds of treats to various creamy foods. The trick is making the food attainable, but not too easy to get. To keep the game interesting, you might as well change the stuffing from time to time. For an extra challenge, you can stuff the treat ball with peanut butter, greek yoghurt, or something similar and then freeze it.
Yes, rubber is generally considered one of the safer materials for dog balls (compared to, for example, tennis balls, which can be dangerous if chewed apart). While rubber is generally safe, it’s still important to pay attention to your dog while they are playing.
This one can be a bit difficult to figure out when first buying balls for your dog, but you’ll easily figure it out over time. A good ball should be small enough to fit into the dog’s mouth - if they can’t pick it up, that kind of beats the point. On the other hand, you don’t want the ball to be so small that a dog can swallow it.
References
- Helmer, Jodi. “Brain Games: Mental Stimulation Keeps Dogs’ Minds Sharp”. FETCH by WebMD. Retrieved February 6, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/mental-stimulation-sharpens-dogs-minds
- 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
- PetMD Editorial. December 17, 2013. “5 Must-Read Tips Before Buying a Food-Dispensing Dog Toy”. PetMD. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/slideshows/tips-before-buying-food-dispensing-dog-toy#slide-1 - 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
- Weinstein, Susan. March 14, 2001. “The Dangers of Vinyl Dog Toys”. Whole Dog Journal. Retrieved February 6, 2023. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/care/dog-toys/the-dangers-of-vinyl-dog-toys/
- Koestel, Zoe L., et al. "Bisphenol A (BPA) in the serum of pet dogs following short-term consumption of canned dog food and potential health consequences of exposure to BPA." Science of the Total Environment 579 (2017): 1804-1814.
