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Looking for an interactive toy to keep your furry friend entertained? After reviewing all the best automatic dog ball launchers, the iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher is one of the most popular.
This device is designed to launch a tennis ball for your pup to fetch, providing hours of fun and exercise.
Keep reading for a full review of the product, including information on how far it can throw the ball, its pros and cons, what kind of dogs it’s best for, as well as what other customers have had to say about it.
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary Of The iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher
The iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher is perfect for dogs who live and breathe fetch.
This launcher is manufactured by the iFetch brand. It is specially crafted by a dog-owning family business in Texas. The products are even tested by their own pup, Prancer.
If your dog truly loves fetch, this could be the ball launcher for them. It’s available in two sizes, making it suitable for both tiny dogs and huge canines.
It also has 3 distinct distance settings, allowing you to use it in big yards or confined apartments.
While this ball launcher is great for small dogs, they should always be supervised when playing with it.
If you’re considering buying the iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher for your dog, keep reading to discover all you need to know about the toy and see if it’s the right fit.
iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher Pros & Cons
PROS:
- Allows your dog to play fetch independently
- It can be used indoors or outdoors
- Available in two sizes for small and large dogs
- 3 distance settings make it versatile for different environments
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Made by a family-run business in the USA
- Ball storage underneath the device
CONS:
- Balls can get stuck inside the device
- Some dogs may be afraid of the noise it makes
- Supervision is required when small dogs are playing
- The balls that come with it aren’t very durable
iFetch Interactive Dog Toy Build & Specifications Summary
- Brand: iFetch
- Device: Interactive Ball Launcher
- Size(s): Small, Large
- Weight: 5.8 lbs. (Small), 8.2 lbs. (Large)
- Dimensions L x W x H: 10.5 x 8 x 7 inches (Small), 14 x 13 x 12 inches (Large)
- Launching Distance: 10, 20, or 30 feet (Small), 10, 25, or 40 feet (Large)
- Ball Size: Mini Tennis Ball – 1.6-inch diameter (Small), Standard Tennis Ball – 2.5-inch diameter (Large)
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Date First Available: Aug. 7, 2014 (Small), Nov. 25, 2015 (Large)
- Rechargeable Battery: No (Small), Yes (Large)
iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher Sizes
The iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher comes in two sizes to accommodate both small and large dogs. Most other ball launches on the market only come in one size, which makes them difficult to use with different-sized pups (mostly smaller dogs).
Because of this, they are typically too forceful for small dogs. Pair this with large, standard-sized tennis balls, and a small dog has an increased chance of hurting themselves.
Before dogs learn how to use ball launchers properly, many stand in front of the launcher because they’re so excited. This causes the ball to shoot directly at them, and if they are small dogs, it can hurt them.
The small version of the iFetch is meant for dogs weighing up to 30 pounds. The ball used with this launcher is a miniature tennis ball that is 1.5 inches in diameter.
The large version of the iFetch is designed for dogs weighing over 30 pounds. The ball used with the large launcher is a standard-size tennis ball that is 2.5 inches in diameter.
As long as you pick the device’s size based on your dog’s weight (above or below 30 lbs), they should have no problems with the automatic ball launcher.
iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher Distance Control
The iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher has three distance settings, allowing you to adjust the toy to your environment. The small launcher can shoot balls up to ten, 20, or 30 feet.
The large launcher can shoot balls up to 25, 35, or 40 feet. These distance settings are great because they make the toy versatile for different environments.
You can use the toy indoors without worrying about breaking anything or take it outdoors and adjust the distance to make the game more challenging for your dog.
The one downside to the distance settings is that they are fixed. This means you have to physically go to the device and change the setting each time you want to adjust the distance.
It would be more convenient if there was a remote control that allowed you to change the distance setting from afar, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Note: Small Dogs Need To Be Careful
If your small dog is in their senior stage of life, this toy may not be the best choice for them. Unless they can quickly learn to stand out of the way when the ball is launching, they could injure themselves.
The same goes for puppies. If they’re not old enough to understand the concept of standing out of the way, I recommend waiting until they’re a little older before getting this toy.
I’ve seen many small dogs get hit by balls from launchers because they weren’t paying attention or were too excited and couldn’t stand still. So if you have a small dog, just be careful and keep an eye on them the first few times they play with the toy.
What Other Dog Owners Have To Say About The iFetch Ball Launcher
The iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher has mostly positive reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars. And considering it has over 3,000 reviews, that’s quite a positive rating.
Many dog owners say their dogs love the toy and have a lot of fun playing with it. They also appreciate how easy it is to use once their dog gets the hang of it.
However, no product goes without some negative experiences.
Some people shared that the launching motor died relatively quickly and stopped throwing the ball as far as it once did. Others mentioned the balls were low quality and their dog was able to break them with relative ease.
Overall, most people who have purchased the iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher are happy with their purchase and would recommend it to other dog owners.
iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher FAQs
What balls work with iFetch?
The small iFetch Ball Launcher comes with 3 miniature tennis balls that are 1.5 inches in diameter. The large iFetch Ball Launcher comes with 3 standard-size tennis balls.
Do I need to put batteries in the iFetch?
Yes, the iFetch requires six C batteries (not included).
How long does the iFetch take to charge?
It will take approximately four hours to fully charge your iFetch, but this varies based on how new or old the batteries are.
How do I get my dog to put the ball in the iFetch?
The best way to train your dog to use the iFetch is by using positive reinforcement. This means rewarding them with treats, praise, or being overly excited/affectionate whenever they put the ball in the toy.
iFetch created a short training video you can check out here on YouTube for more detail.
Does the iFetch Ball Launcher come with an indoor setting?
While the iFetch doesn’t come with an indoor setting specifically, you can use it indoors by setting the distance to the lowest setting. This will ensure the ball doesn’t go too far and break anything in your home.
Does the iFetch Ball Launcher come with balls?
The iFetch Ball Launcher comes with 3 balls.
Final Thoughts
The iFetch Interactive Dog Ball Launcher is a great toy for dogs who love to play fetch. It’s easy to use once your dog knows how to put the ball in, and it can provide hours of fun for both you and your furry friend.
Just be sure to keep an eye on small dogs and puppies the first few times they play with the toy (if you get the large one). They could injure themselves if they’re not paying attention or standing in the way when the ball is launched.
If you’re looking for an interactive toy to keep your dog entertained, the iFetch Ball Launcher is a great option and comes highly recommended by other dog owners.
