Do you have a dog who loves to fetch? Chances are, they’ll love a good game of frisbee, too. I tested flying discs with my German Shorthaired Pointer, Leika, over the past three months to form this review on the best frisbees for dogs.
Some dogs are just naturals at the game of frisbee. And my pup happens to be one of them. She’s a 50-pound GSP with incredible speed and agility. And she LOVES things that fly. I mean, she is a bird dog after all!
So when I first introduced her to frisbees, I was not surprised that she took to it quickly. But having worked with several other dogs over my life, I realize that not every dog, or frisbee, is created equal. Plus, another GearHungry employee, Ryan Johnson, owns a former Skyhoundz Disc Dog Minnesota state champion! He was quick to share his experience as well. So while writing and researching this guide, I tested several top-rated frisbees for dogs and consulted with Johnson and a veterinarian, Dr. Travis McDermott, the consultant for our sister website Petside.com.
“I think they are a great activity,” McDermott said, noting that they help dogs burn energy quickly.
I’ll expand more about how to play frisbee with your dog, safety, and technique, at the end of the article. But for now, let’s hop into the best frisbees for dogs. Have fun out there!
Also, check out the ultimate guide for Best Frisbees from our friends at My Pet Needs that if you want to get a second opinion.
Best Frisbees For Dogs Tested
In researching and testing flying discs for dogs, I found that there are a few different criteria. One is that sometimes, what’s best for the dog isn’t best for humans. Similarly, different dogs have different needs. And of course, the weather also plays a factor, as the wind can wreak havoc on frisbee flights!
So I broke these down by their best uses. Of course, hundreds of frisbees are on the market, so our team will update this story as we continue testing into the summer months.
Competition Standard Dog Frisbee: Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship Series
If you and your canine friend get serious about your frisbee time and are considering entering a local competition, then you should definitely pick up a few Skyhoundz competition discs. The Competition Standard Disc is the official competition flying disc of the Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship Series — the largest canine disc competition series in the world.
They’re 105 grams and sport an 8.75” diameter. They’re relatively soft nylon, so you better pick up a few if your park pal likes to chew in between throws. They run at the MSRP of $6 each for singles, but the price drops to $4 at 25 qty. Our business manager Ryan Johnson was going through a couple a week when he was training his border collie, so stock up. But the training paid off when “Callie” took first place in the Minnesota state frisbee championship. Go long!!!!!
You can pick them up from Amazon for $7.
Dog-Favorite Frisbee: Chuckit Flying Squirrel
The Chuckit Flying Squirrel is a very unique fetching toy for dogs. While it has a similar performance to the classic Frisbee, it has a very different shape. And my dog absolutely loves it.
That’s because the Chuckit Flying Squirrel has two attributes that make it the perfect dog toy. First, the Flying Squirrel flies very slowly, hovering along at a mellow pace compared with other frisbees. That gives dogs plenty of time to focus on the flight path and charge in for the catch!
Second, the Flying Squirrel doesn’t lay flat on the ground when it lands. That means that, even if she misses a catch, my dog can zip in and pick it up just like she would a ball or stick. Unlike a lot of frisbees, there’s no need for her to nuzzle around or dig at the disk to flip it over.
I’m impressed with the durability of the flying squirrel. After three months of use, it still has very little damage, and my pup likes to try and turn frisbee into a tug game pretty often.
Overall, this is my dog’s favorite frisbee. She loves to chase it, catch it in the air, and bring it back. And even if she refuses to hand it over without a little game of tug, this tough disk is no worse for the wear.
Available in multiple sizes (I have the medium, MSRP of $13), pick up one of these very affordable, fun flying toys at Chewy for $8!
Most Durable Dog Disc For Heavy Chewers: Kong Flyer
Kong is a ubiquitous name in the world of dog toys, and for good reasons. The brand builds toys that last, and many stimulate the minds of dogs and humans alike (ever gotten creative stuffing treats in a Kong? Yeah, me too). And the Kong Flyer disc does not disappoint.
The Kong Flyer (MSRP $13 to $16) is a soft and pliable but durable rubber disc that throws nearly as well as a typical hard plastic frisbee. But thanks to the durable rubber design, it doesn’t puncture nearly as easily as normal frisbees. And from my personal testing, it’s probably the toughest dog disc you can buy.
Another bonus of the flyer is that it’s a fun frisbee to play with other people. It flies straight and true, and even bucks wind pretty well. It’s soft to catch, too. So it makes a great toy if you feel like playing a little dog keep-away with a partner!
The Kong Flyer comes in two sizes for larger or smaller dogs. I use the large size with my 50-pound female GSP, and it’s plenty big for her. I’m sure much larger dogs would also be happy with this size, although, for dogs smaller than maybe 35 to 40 pounds, I’d consider sizing down to the small.
You can grab one on Amazon for about $10.
Lightweight Flying Disc For Land and Water: Ruffwear Hover Craft
The Hover Craft flying disc has a molded foam core that allows it to float in water, adding versatility to this toy. But we love that it tracks very straight and true even though it’s quite lightweight. That makes it very easy for my dog to catch it, and the soft, foam-core material seems easy on her mouth.
In use, I liked the Hover Craft a lot, and it makes for a fun frisbee to toss to a friend. Like others on this list, it’s brightly colored, so you can easily find it if it goes into the tall grass and your dog loses interest.
Our testing team noticed that the Hover Craft seems to be damaged faster than some of the other discs we tested. The design is meant to be easy on teeth and gums, and we appreciate that. It’s still reasonably tough. But a few hard chomps by a pup will put in tooth marks, and a few more can easily deform the shape of the Hover Craft. That said, it seems to pop back in condition easily. So far, it’s proven reasonably durable but might not be a good choice for aggressive chewers.
It’s also one of the more expensive discs on the list at an MSRP of $25. But if you like the fact that it floats and your dog isn’t an aggressive chewer, it may be worth the investment.
Pick one up directly from Ruffwear.
FAQ: Frisbees and Dogs
Are Frisbees Safe For Dogs?
In general, yes, playing frisbee is safe for dogs. But do keep in mind the health and general athleticism of your dog. Much like playing fetch, chasing and catching a flying disk require sprinting and dynamic motions, possibly resulting in injury and soreness. Imagine if you jumped off the couch and played a full soccer game without easing into it! Similarly, if you’re dog isn’t in great shape, start with small, easy sessions and gradually build up to full games of frisbee! And remember, Dr. McDermott noted, as with any toy, they need to be discarded as they are chewed up.
Are frisbees bad for dogs’ teeth?
In general, no. But do watch out for hard plastic frisbees, especially cheap ones that could easily fragment or break, leaving sharp corners. “I always recommend caution when playing tug a war with any item, but throwing a frisbee for your dog is a great way to burn energy,” Dr. McDermott said.
Even if you purchase one of the best frisbees for dogs, do supervise your pup with toys. The synthetic materials are clearly not meant for ingestion, so take them away when not playing and keep an eye out for loose pieces that may be easily swallowed.
