The Jolly Ball is a classic for good reason. But if you're searching for a Jolly Ball alternative, something about it isn't quite right for your dog — maybe it's too small, maybe it's rock-hard and your dog is a grabber, or maybe you just want a bigger ball that actually forces pushing. Whatever brought you here, this is an honest roundup of the real options, including where ours fits and where it doesn't.
First, credit where it's due
Let's be fair to the Jolly Ball, because it earns it. Jolly Pets has made these for decades, they're inexpensive, and they are borderline indestructible. The Push-n-Play version is handle-less molded plastic — deliberately, so dogs push it instead of carrying it — and it will genuinely outlast most of the other toys you'll ever buy. For a certain kind of dog, it's the right answer and you don't need this article.
You're still reading, so let's talk about why it might not be your answer.
Why people look for a Jolly Ball alternative
- Too small for a big dog. Jolly Balls top out around 14". For a large or very athletic dog, that can still be small enough to grab — which defeats the entire purpose.
- It's rock-hard. Molded plastic has zero give. If your dog mouths their toys when they get excited (most do), an unyielding ball is a real risk to their teeth.
- It doesn't deflate. A solid 14" ball is bulky to store and impossible to travel with.
- It's loud and rough on hard ground. On concrete or pavers, hard plastic clatters and scrapes.
If any of those are your issue, here are the alternatives worth knowing.
5 Jolly Ball alternatives
1. Fabric-covered inflatable herding ball — bigger and softer
This is the alternative most people searching are actually looking for: something bigger and gentler. A tough fabric cover over an inflatable core gives you a ball that's larger than any hard Jolly Ball, much lighter, and has real give in the surface — easy on the mouth of a dog who grabs when they're thrilled.
Ours — The OG Herding Ball — is 17.7" (45cm), which is genuinely bigger than a Jolly Ball and forces even large dogs to push rather than carry. It's $34.99, ships with a pump, and deflates flat for storage. The trade-off, honestly: it's puncturable where a Jolly Ball is not. If your dog is an excitable pusher-and-grabber, that trade is worth it. If they're a committed destroyer, it isn't. Best for: mouthy dogs, puppies, hard surfaces, and anyone who wants a truly big ball.
2. Boomer Ball — if you want even tougher
If your problem with the Jolly Ball is that it isn't tough enough, the Boomer Ball is the answer. Originally built for zoo enrichment, it's hard polyethylene like the Jolly Ball but heavier, more solid, and extremely difficult to puncture. Same rock-hard trade-off on the teeth, though — so it suits pure pushers, not grabbers. Best for: serious destroyers and rough terrain.
3. A larger "horse" Jolly Ball
If you actually like the Jolly Ball and just need it bigger, Jolly Pets makes oversized versions marketed for horses (the Jolly Mega Ball and similar) that some big-dog owners use. Same hard material and teeth caveat, but it solves the size problem without leaving the brand. Best for: Jolly Ball loyalists with a giant breed.
4. An exercise / stability ball — the budget DIY route
Some owners use a cheap human exercise ball as a herding ball. It's big and inexpensive, but be warned: without a protective cover it punctures almost instantly, and the exposed plastic is more chewable (and more swallowable) than a purpose-built toy. If you go this route, get a fabric cover for it. Best for: testing whether your dog even likes the concept before you invest.
5. "Virtually indestructible" ball brands
There's a category of ultra-tough balls (various brands market themselves this way) that sit between a tennis ball and a Boomer Ball in size. They're durable and fine for fetch, but most are small enough to pick up — which makes them chew toys, not herding balls. Read the diameter carefully before buying. Best for: fetch and chewing, not herding.
How to pick the right one
Three questions settle it:
- How big is your dog? Whatever you buy, it has to be too big to fit in their mouth. This is non-negotiable — err large. For most medium-to-large dogs, that means 16" or more.
- Does your dog mouth toys when excited? If yes, go soft (inflatable). If they're a disciplined pure-pusher, hard plastic will last forever and it's the smarter buy.
- Where do you play? Concrete and pavers favor a softer ball; open grass and dirt are fine for anything.
We break this decision down in much more detail — including the teeth question, which is more nuanced than the internet claims — in our Herding Ball vs. Jolly Ball vs. Boomer Ball comparison.
The bottom line
If you love the Jolly Ball's indestructibility and your dog is a pure pusher, honestly — keep it, or size up within the brand. There's no shame in that; it's a great product.
But if you're here because you want something bigger, softer, or kinder to an excitable dog's mouth, a fabric-covered inflatable like The OG Herding Ball is the alternative most people are actually searching for. Match the ball to how your dog plays, get one they can't pick up, and you'll have solved the problem the Jolly Ball couldn't.