Dogs love playing a game of fetch. And if they can jump in the air and catch an object with their mouths, then you’ll know that they’ll definitely feel good about themselves. That is why aside from fetching tennis balls, dogs also love catching Frisbees. As a matter of fact, there are serious dog frisbee competitions in major kennel clubs. And if you’re searching for the best Frisbee for your pet hound, we’ve got you covered.
The Best Frisbee for Dogs
There’s no denying the fact that KONG’s mastery of indestructible yet completely pet-safe toys for dogs is unquestionable. Sadly, there are unscrupulous entities who want to capitalize on this distinction of KONG by producing sub-par quality products. So if you really want an amazing flyer for your pet canine, make sure to get the HDP KONG Flyer only from reputable sellers. If you can get your KONG Flyer from KONG itself, then that would be best so you don’t have to put up with a Frisbee that cannot even last a day’s worth of fetching with your dog. That said, the KONG Flyer has all the great things of the Classic but in a Frisbee form.
Made from the same materials as the KONG Classic
Gentle on dog’s gums and teeth
Flies great
Issues with so many KONG knock-offs
If you’re having issues with getting your hands on an authentic KONG Flyer, maybe the Petmate Chuckit! Paraflight Dog Ty should suffice. It’s a great choice especially if you love tossing Frisbee that comes in different colors. The Paraflight is specifically designed for longer-distance flights so you can have your dog running longer. It won’t matter if it lands on water, too as the Paraflight is buoyant enough. Unfortunately, it may not be as tough as KONG although its multilayer construction helps prolong its lifespan. Just don’t give it to a heavyweight chewer and everything should be fine.
Designed specifically for flying and gliding longer distances
Floats well on water
Lightweight and durable construction
May not be really indestructible
One of the most interesting things about the Hyper Pet Flippy Flyer Dog Toy is its combination of durable nylon and flexible rubber as principal materials used in its construction. You can thus, say that it’s built to last. Provided you don’t give it to a really tenacious chewer, you can see the Flippy Flopper lasting a lot longer than flimsy Frisbees in the market. Its flying characteristics are also quite remarkable as it glides effortlessly on air. It is buoyant, too so it’s perfect for pooches that love jumping into the water.
Flight performance is like your ideal flying disc
Floats on water so dog can easily retrieve it
Tough yet safe on dog’s mouth because of a combination of nylon and rubber
Doesn’t last that long against aggressive chewers
Regardless of how companies label their products as very durable, in the jaws of a very powerful chewer, nothing is really indestructible. Take for instance West Paw’s Zogoflex Zisc Tough Flying Disc. It is designed to be extra-tough but aggressive chewers can easily tear it apart. This is not to say that it is useless, of course. With BPA-free, non-toxic, and phthalate-free materials forming the core of this doggie Frisbee you can bet that it’s going to be safe for your pet to catch it with its mouth. It flies elegantly, too so you can count on endless hours of fun for you and your pet.
Flies exceptionally well and floats, too
Made of pet-safe materials and comes in different colors
Soft on the mouths of hounds
Works only on dogs with soft or moderate chewing behaviors
Booda is currently on the crosshairs of avid fans of the canine Frisbee. It would seem that the company decided to change the material in their Tail-Spin Flyer that it is no longer as durable as before. This is the general sentiment of a good number of pet parents who have been using the product for many years only to come out totally disappointed with the latest design. Or, as some experts say, it could very well be the work of some unscrupulous entities trying to make knock-offs of the once-favored flyer. Regardless, the Tail-Spin Flyer still is a great disc to play fetch with your dog especially that it seamless flies and floats.
Made of materials that are safe for your pet
Flexible design and floats on water
Lightweight and durable construction
Not as durable as what many pet parents would like
Doesn’t fly as well as it used to
The Hyperflite Jawz Ultra-Tough Puncture-Resistant Disc is designed by professional Frisbee players for their 4-legged Frisbee-loving counterparts. It is perhaps because of this that the Jawz is priced more than twice the cost of other canine Frisbees. The Jawz is designed with exceptional durability in mind. Sadly it fails in its claim of puncture-resistance and ultra-toughness since it is easily shredded to bits by really aggressive chewers. It may be tough for those well-behaved dogs but definitely not for your nasty hound. Regardless, if you’re looking for a competition-grade Frisbee for your pet despite its hefty price tag, the Jawz is clearly an option.
Puncture-resistant, tough construction
Dual grip features for optimum handling
Designed specifically for canine competitions
Very expensive for a Frisbee for dogs
Not really indestructible as advertised
If you’re already tired of the usual disc-shaped Frisbee, maybe it’s time to try a different approach to a game of fetch with the Chckit! Flying Squirrel. It really doesn’t look like a squirrel but it does have 4 ‘legs’ that stick out of its wide body. Best of all, the corners that make up the ‘legs’ glow in the dark, helping increase its visibility in low-light conditions. It flies elegantly and floats on water, too. Its durable construction is also noteworthy, although there have been instances when it’s shredded to bits by a real heavyweight chewer. Regardless, it should still be fascinating to use as a toy for your pet.
Highly visible design complete with glow-in-the-dark edges
Floats on water and glides well on air
Multiple layer construction makes it exceptionally tough
Not really tough when faced with aggressive chewers
The Orka Flyer Rubber Durable Frisbee Chew and Fetch Toy for Dogs may be designed with a really durable frame in mind, but when in the mouths of heavy chewers, it really is still no match. Also, some pet parents are quite dismayed with the general observation that it doesn’t float on water, sinking straight to the bottom instead. Despite these drawbacks, one can always appreciate the flight characteristics of the Orka Flyer. It’s everything that you would wish for in a flying object, smoothly gliding on air making it exceptionally easy for your pet to catch.
Remarkable flight characteristics
Tough and durable construction but is gentle on your dog’s mouth
Very easy to toss and clean
Doesn’t float on water
May not stand up to heavy chewers
According to some pet parents, there’s a serious design issue with the HARTZ Tuff Stuff Toss Around Plush Frisbee Flyer Dog Toy. Imagine a soft, squishy ball that has been put in the center of a wheel complete with 3 spokes and you’ve got the Tuff Stuff. Unfortunately, the presence of holes allows air to easily pass through so it will not really glide properly. You can toss it, why not? But if you’re looking for something that will glide like a flying saucer, you’d be disappointed. There are other ways your dog can play with it though. You can roll it like a wheel or you can play tug with your dog with it.
Can be used as a wheel toy or even as a tug toy
Ballistic nylon construction is super tough yet very gentle on dog’s teeth and jaws
Can be easily picked up by dogs because of the handles
Floats on water
May not really fly as efficiently as a Frisbee disc
Not really tough as others would claim
The IMK9 Dog Frisbee promises shatter-proof and no-splinter design. Sadly, quite a number of pet parents are saying otherwise with many complaining of how easy it can be shredded to bits. It may be good for those with softer jaws, but definitely not for tough chewers. The rather flimsy rubber also affects the flight characteristics of the IMK9 especially in strong gusts. Barring strong winds, the IMK9 should glide beautifully. Plus, it comes with a chew-proof replacement guarantee so you can always ask for a refund or a replacement in case your IMK9 is shredded to bits by your dog.
Will not shatter and cause splintering
Easy-to-clean and very visible design
Replacement guarantee if ever the Frisbee gets chewed up
Questionable durability with some pet parents saying it easily gets ripped apart
May not fly that well because of the rather flexible nature of rubber
This frisbee is designed specially for dogs so it has the features that a pup would require! It’s made from super tough materials that are built to last and can stand up to sharp teeth and canine enthusiasm! It is a bright blue color so both you and your dog will be able to find it in long grass and bushes. It is also lightweight and weather-resistant. This toy measures 10 inches in diameter which is perfect for a dog’s mouth and has a textured surface that they can grip on to.
Flexible material and textured to suit a dog’s mouth
Can stand up to dog’s teeth and chewing
Bright color for your dog to find in long grass
No choice of colors
No choice of sizes
A top-rated frisbee product, this one features a buoyant design to ensure that it floats on water, so your dog can swim after it if they would like. The colors are high visibility enough to ensure that the disc is easily spottable when you are out playing.
Durability and a high level of resistance are two of the main features that you would expect from a dog frisbee, and this one offers both. In an innovative design touch, the edges of the frisbee have been rubber-reinforced to ensure they are gentle on your dog’s gums and teeth.
Aerodynamic, lightweight design
High-visibility colors
Easy to clean
May not be durable enough for dogs with a tough bite
Next on the list, we have a nylon flyer from one of the top brands on the market, Nerf. To ensure that it retains its strength, the coating is tear-resistant. You can even play tug of war games with your dog using it. However, it is still lightweight enough to ensure that you can throw it around with minimal effort.
As well as being aerodynamically designed, it is also water resistant to ensure that it floats in the pool. It is 9-inches in diameter, which makes it suitable for a wide range of dogs and different breeds.
Lightweight enough for easy tossing
Durable design
Floats and water resistant
Reports of poor flying
Your dog’s health and safety should be right up near the top of your list of priorities, and you can rest assured that this product has been tested in both of these areas. The disc itself is made of soft foam, but it is still designed aerodynamically to fly low and level.
Included is a free training guide to help you maximise the fun with your four-legged friend. It is puncture resistant and designed to float on water.
Healthy and safety tested
Free training guide
Soft material to not injure your dog
Reports of design change to increase density and lower flying quality
Made for medium and larger dogs, this toy is designed to be easy to catch in your pup’s mouth. The solid natural rubber used to make the disc is both puncture and tear resistant. Plus, the materials used to make it are 100% FDA-approved recyclable and the frisbee is made in the USA. A range of bright colors are available to make them easy to spot when you are outdoors playing with your pooch.
Easy to pick up
Soft catching
Puncture and tear resistant
Some reports of weight being too heavy for easy flying
Best Frisbee for Dogs Buying Guide
It really is not easy picking the best dog frisbee as you can have a variety of options to choose from. The good news is that you can use our buying guide to help you narrow down your choices. We made this guide as comprehensive as possible so you’ll have a much better chance of landing the best frisbee for your hound.
Hard vs Soft Dog Frisbee Discs
One thing you will need to determine is whether you’ll be getting a hard Frisbee or one that is soft. The choice is actually dependent on what you think should be your priority. Is it exceptional flight characteristics at the expense of perhaps hurting your dog or someone else? Or is it general safety over the beauty of the flight? These are basically what separate hard and soft Frisbee discs.
- Hard dog frisbee discs
These are more rigid and provide exceptional flight distances. They can glide through the air a lot longer than softer discs and are, thus preferred by serious disc flyers. The downside, of course, is that the rigid construction packs a wallop especially when you factor momentum. Not only do you put your dog at risk for injuries, but you might also be hitting other people as well.
- Soft dog frisbee discs
Soft Frisbee discs do not glide or fly as efficiently as their rigid counterparts, but the good news is that these are friendly to your dog especially their mouths. And in the event that they hit somebody else, it wouldn’t really hurt as much.
What Makes a Fantastic Dog Frisbee
In choosing the right dog frisbee, there are a few things you really have to consider. These are as follows.
- Easy to throw
The easiest frisbees to throw are definitely the rigid ones. Unfortunately, these can really hurt especially when flying at great speeds. That is why the best dog frisbee should have a good balance between safety and ease of throwing or throwability.
- Has good flight characteristics
We mentioned above that rigid frisbees fly exceptionally well. But if you’re only looking for a toy that you can play with your dog you may not really have a need for stiff and competition-grade equipment. However, you should still look for a Frisbee that glides or flies amazingly as well. The whole point in playing Frisbee with your dog is for it to jump and catch the disc in its mouth. If it cannot do that for the simple fact that the disc is simply too heavy or that it is not aerodynamic enough that it drops immediately after being tossed, then you’re better off with a paper plate or perhaps even a plastic dinner plate.
- Can be easily gripped by dogs
You’d want a Frisbee that will be very easy for your dog to retrieve. Specifically, you don’t want something that will easily slip out from its mouth. This is an advantage of flexible or soft Frisbee discs over the rigid ones, although there are modern designs that have special grooves allowing your pet to latch its teeth onto.
- Durable
Nothing in this world is really indestructible especially to a hound that is generally known as a powerful, heavyweight chewer. That being said you should always go for canine frisbees that can last longer than most. You can also train your dog not to vent its frustration on the frisbee so you’ll have a much longer-lasting toy for your dog.
Staying Safe While Playing With Your Dog Frisbee
Playing frisbee with your pet is fun. However, if you’re not careful the fun in the activity can easily turn out into a nightmare. Here’s how you can stay safe while playing frisbee with your dog.
- Always throw the frisbee at a safe height and angle. There have been issues of pet owners throwing frisbees unusually high or at a very steep angle that their dogs also jumped unusually high and twisted their back resulting in injuries. There have been issues of overzealous pet parents who may want to show-off the acrobatic abilities of their dogs. Sadly, our dogs are not incredible jumpers as cats. Their weight prevents them from effectively jumping and landing softly on the ground.
- Before you play frisbee with your dog make sure that you have trained it properly to follow your commands. Like a game of ball fetch, the idea is for your pet to bring the frisbee back to you and not run off with it. This is one of the most important things you should do first even before you start playing frisbee with your dog.
You may also like our guides on Automatic Fetch Machines and Toy Balls for Dogs.
Additional Dog Frisbee Safety Tips
- Make sure you are playing in an area where your frisbee will not be hitting other dogs, other people, or even properties of your neighbors. Even if you are using soft Frisbees, the forward momentum of these discs can still hurt. There have been a lot of incidents whereby pet parents invariably tossed their frisbees through a neighbor’s window or worse, hit a passing car. It is best to play Frisbee in an area with wide open space, free from any obstacles, and definitely free from other people and properties.
- Never leave your dog with the dog frisbee. Regardless of how tough the manufacturer says the Frisbee is, no material can ever withstand the tenacity of a ferocious chewer. As you may have seen in our list of the best dog frisbees, there is one very common theme among dissatisfied pet parents: issues with durability. Keep in mind that there really is no such thing as indestructible. Perhaps the only thing that is truly indestructible will be metal. Unfortunately, you really don’t want to play with a flying metal disc.
- Make sure to have plenty of drinking water with you. Your dog will be running and jumping and even swimming endlessly. It needs to stay hydrated, otherwise, you risk developing health problems in your dog.
Check out dog water bottles.
Playing With Your Dog Frisbee: Tips and Tricks
If you want your dog to really have fun playing with its frisbee it is best to start it as a puppy. Like all activities involving puppies, you may have to be a bit more creative in playing with it. Here are some tips.
- Consider using the frisbee as your pup’s dinner plate. You might want to give your puppy its food using the disc instead of its regular food bowl. This acclimatizes your pet to the Frisbee and the notion that it is for the mouth.
- Always play indoors at first. You can play a light game of tug to help train your pet on how to firmly ‘hold’ onto the disc with its mouth.
- Run with the frisbee in your hand. Make sure your puppy runs along. Let it catch the Frisbee in its mouth. If you think your pup has already grown a fondness for the frisbee, try a different approach. Slide the frisbee across the floor and train your puppy to run after it, grabbing it with its mouth.
- Replace the frisbee-turned-dinner plate with a new one and see how your puppy reacts to it. If it behaves as trained, then you can start rolling the disc and check if your pup will retrieve it. If not, then you may have to train it right from the very start.
- Once your puppy is able to run after the rolling disc, you can now start throwing it at relatively shorter distances first. Gradually increase the distance and incorporate the idea of returning the disc to you.
Additional Dog Frisbee Tips
- Make sure play in a safe environment. Always start in your backyard. In case you don’t have a yard you can go to the park or some other secluded area where the chance of hitting other objects as well as other people is nil.
- Keep your playtimes relatively short especially if your puppy is already running and jumping after the frisbee. Remember that its bones and muscles are still developing. While exercise can help provide the necessary stimulation for bone and muscle growth, you also don’t want to tax your young hound’s body.
- Keep its treat with you all the time. This is always handy when it comes to enticing your young pup to perform a trick that you love watching.
Fetching frisbees is a competitive activity in many kennel clubs. While you may not be keen on entering your dog into a competition, you will nevertheless enjoy the fun times throwing these discs and watching your dg run after them, catch it in mid-air, and then return them to you. With these best dog frisbees, you’re this much closer to spending more quality time with your pet.
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