Interactive Dog Balls
An ordinary ball only moves when you throw it. The moment you sit down it stops being a toy. These are interactive dog balls that keep moving on their own, so your...
Which one fits your dog
Start with size. A tennis ball is about 67 mm across, so compare against that. For a bigger dog, our guide to interactive dog toys for large dogs explains what to look for.
- BorkBall Disco, 80 mm (3.15 in). Our light up disco ball for dogs and the largest ball we carry, the usual pick for bigger dogs who chase rather than chew.
- BorkBall Zoom, 67 mm (2.64 in), about tennis ball size. It hops and zigzags instead of rolling straight, for dogs who lose interest in a ball that only rolls in a straight line.
- BorkBall Tug, 75 mm, just over tennis ball size, with a cotton rope for a game of tug.
- BorkBall Nub, 38 mm (1.5 in), about the size of a ping pong ball. Made for small dogs and puppies.
Which dog ball moves in a zigzag?
If you are looking for a zigzag dog ball, one that darts sideways and changes direction instead of rolling in a straight line, start with BorkBall Zoom. The weight inside shifts as it moves, so one touch sends it hopping sideways, doubling back and stopping dead. BorkBall Disco runs in short bursts with sudden turns and a low bounce in its Crazy mode, lighting up as it goes. Both are for supervised chase games and go back on the shelf afterward.
How a ball that moves on its own works
Each ball has a small rechargeable core sealed inside an outer shell. Turn it on, set it on the floor, and it rolls, changes direction and stops for a moment, so your dog always has something to catch up with. Most have more than one mode, a faster one for a proper chase and a gentler one for quieter play. Most rest between rounds to save battery, and a touch from your dog starts them again. All four are rechargeable. Our guide to self-rolling dog balls goes into more detail, and light-up dog balls covers evening play.
Play safe
These are toys for chasing, not for chewing. Play together, put the ball away when the game is over, and don't leave a battery toy with your dog while you are out. For time alone, a frozen lick mat or a snuffle mat is the better choice.
Want to go deeper before you pick? Our guide to toys for dogs who love to chase compares the main kinds of chase play, and our battery operated dog toys guide explains what makes one safe. If you're curious about the remote, see how a remote control dog ball works, and if your dog can't stop thinking about balls, read our tips for a ball obsessed dog.
Common questions
Do they work on carpet? All four roll on hard floors and low pile rugs. On thick carpet, Nub and Zoom keep going, and Tug works best in its fast or interactive mode.
How do I clean them? Disco, Zoom and Tug twist open, so the outer shell can be rinsed. Dry it fully before the core goes back in, and keep the core itself dry. Nub doesn't open, so wipe it with a damp cloth.
Which one comes with a remote? BorkBall Disco, as an option. The remote rolls the ball forward and back, so you can join the game from the couch, and it needs no pairing.