Jolly Pets Soccer Ball: Is This Dog Toy Worth It?

What Is the JW Hol-ee Football?

A football-shaped rubber dog toy

The JW Hol-ee Football is a multi-purpose dog toy made from natural rubber. Rather than being a solid rubber football, it uses an open lattice structure with large holes throughout the body. That gives the toy a distinctive look and, more importantly, creates several different ways for dogs to interact with it.

JW describes the toy as durable, stretchy, bouncy, and soft in texture. The manufacturer also positions it as a toy for fetching, tossing, tugging, chewing, teething, training, and treat-based enrichment.

More than a basic fetch toy

At first glance, the Hol-ee Football may look like a simple rubber ball in a football shape. The open construction changes that considerably. Dogs can put their mouths around different parts of the toy, and people can use the center cavity to introduce food rewards or another small toy.

This makes the Hol-ee Football particularly interesting for owners who want one toy that can support both physical activity and mental engagement. Instead of using it only for throwing, you can change how the toy is used depending on your dog’s mood and play style.

Petmate currently lists the JW Hol-ee Football in four sizes, from Mini through Large, making the product available for a fairly broad range of dogs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Design, Material, and Build Quality

Natural rubber construction

One of the main reasons the JW Hol-ee Football stands apart from many ordinary dog balls is its rubber construction. Petmate describes the toy as being made from durable natural rubber, giving it a combination of strength, bounce, flexibility, and a relatively soft texture.

The rubber also gives the football enough flexibility to be squeezed and manipulated during play. This can make the toy more engaging for dogs that enjoy toys they can carry and mouth rather than simply chase.

The open-lattice structure is the key feature

The large openings are arguably the most important part of the design. They provide multiple gripping points, which can make the toy easier for dogs to pick up compared with a smooth, solid ball.

The openings also allow you to place treats inside the toy. According to JW, the center cavity can be used with treats, making the football useful as a treat-dispensing activity as well as a traditional play toy. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Another advantage is visibility. Because the football has an open structure rather than a dense solid body, dogs can often interact with it in different ways depending on how they approach it.

How Does the JW Hol-ee Football Perform?

Fetch and throwing

Fetch is one of the most natural uses for the Hol-ee Football. Its rubber construction provides bounce, while the football shape gives it a different movement and feel from a conventional round tennis ball.

The openings also create convenient places for a dog to grab the toy after it lands. This can be useful for dogs that prefer carrying larger toys in their mouths rather than picking up smooth balls.

For owners who enjoy active play, the football can therefore work as a straightforward throwing toy without requiring treats or additional accessories.

Tugging, carrying, and interactive play

The open design also makes the football suitable for interactive games. The holes provide multiple areas for a dog to grip while the owner holds another section.

This versatility is one of the strongest reasons to consider the Hol-ee Football. You are not limited to a single type of play. It can move from fetch to tugging to carrying without requiring a completely different toy.

JW specifically lists fetching, tossing, tugging, chewing, and teething among the intended uses of the product. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Treat Dispensing and Mental Stimulation

Turning the football into a treat toy

One of the most useful features of the JW Hol-ee Football is its hollow center. You can place suitable treats or kibble inside, giving your dog an additional reason to interact with the toy.

Instead of simply chasing the football, your dog has to manipulate, roll, squeeze, or reposition it to access the food. That introduces a problem-solving component to an otherwise familiar rubber toy.

This can be especially useful when you want to make playtime last longer without relying exclusively on physical exercise.

Good for boredom and enrichment

Food-based interaction can give the Hol-ee Football a second purpose during the day. A dog that is not interested in another game of fetch may still be interested in working out how to reach a favorite treat.

It can therefore fit naturally into a broader enrichment routine that includes walks, training, sniffing games, puzzle toys, and interactive play.

For more ideas, see our
dog toys for mental stimulation
guide and
how to keep dogs mentally stimulated with toys.

JW Hol-ee Football Size Guide

Available sizes

Choosing the right size is important because the Hol-ee Football is available in several substantially different dimensions. Petmate lists four main sizes: Mini, Small, Medium, and Large. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Which size should you choose?

The correct size depends on your dog’s body size, mouth size, play style, and chewing behavior. A toy should be large enough that your dog cannot easily swallow it, while still being manageable enough to carry and interact with comfortably.

Smaller dogs will generally be better candidates for the Mini or Small versions, while medium and larger dogs may be better suited to the Medium or Large sizes. However, breed alone should not determine the choice.

For a more detailed approach, read our
dog toy size guide
before ordering.

JW Hol-ee Football Durability and Chewing

Is the Hol-ee Football durable?

The JW Hol-ee Football is designed around durable rubber rather than fabric or plush material, which gives it a meaningful advantage for dogs that quickly destroy soft toys.

The rubber construction is particularly useful for everyday interactive play. Fetching, carrying, rolling, and moderate chewing are all more realistic use cases than they would be with a conventional plush football.

However, durability is highly dependent on the individual dog. A gentle chewer and a determined toy destroyer can produce completely different results with the same product.

What about aggressive chewers?

This is where expectations matter. The Hol-ee Football should not be described as indestructible. Petmate specifically recommends supervision and says toys should be replaced when they develop rips, tears, or cuts. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Customer experiences also show why individual chewing style matters. Petco’s review section includes both positive experiences with fetching and treat play and reports from owners whose dogs damaged smaller versions very quickly. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If your dog is an especially determined toy destroyer, compare this product with toys specifically designed for heavy chewers in our
Chew Toys
category.

JW Hol-ee Football for Different Dogs

Puppies and teething dogs

JW positions the Hol-ee Football as a training aid for teething and chewing. Its flexible rubber construction can make it more appealing than a hard, rigid toy for some puppies.

Still, puppies vary considerably in their chewing intensity. A puppy that is gentle with toys may use the football successfully for extended interactive sessions, while a determined puppy may damage it much faster.

Always supervise a puppy’s first sessions with any new toy and make sure the size is appropriate.

Small, medium, and large dogs

The four available sizes make this product more flexible than many single-size rubber football toys. Small dogs can use the smaller variants, while the larger versions provide a more substantial toy for bigger dogs.

For large dogs, the Large version measures 9 × 4.5 × 9 inches and weighs approximately 0.92 lb according to Petmate’s specifications. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

The most important consideration is not simply whether the dog is labeled small, medium, or large. Look at how your dog actually carries, bites, and plays with toys.

You can also explore our
Large Dog Toys
section if you’re shopping for a bigger dog.

Cleaning, Maintenance, and Safety

Keeping the rubber football clean

The open structure makes the Hol-ee Football relatively straightforward to inspect because much of the surface is visible. This is useful when checking whether food residue or dirt has collected around the interior.

If you use treats inside the football, clean it regularly rather than allowing food residue to remain inside between sessions. A simple cleaning routine can also make it easier to identify cracks or other changes in the rubber.

Always follow the manufacturer’s current care recommendations for the specific version you purchase.

Inspect before and after play

The most important maintenance habit is visual inspection. Look around the holes, edges, and flexible areas for tears, cuts, missing pieces, or other damage.

JW specifically recommends supervision and replacing the toy when rips, tears, or cuts appear. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

For general safety principles, see our
guide to choosing safer dog toys.

JW Hol-ee Football Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Is the JW Hol-ee Football Worth It?

Who should buy it?

The JW Hol-ee Football is worth considering if you want a dog toy that can serve several purposes instead of being limited to one activity.

It is particularly appealing for dogs that enjoy interactive play and owners who want to combine physical activity with food-based enrichment. The same toy can be thrown across the yard, used for a short tug session, carried around the house, or filled with treats for a more independent activity.

It can also make sense for dogs that enjoy unusual toy shapes. The open football structure provides a different mouth feel and gripping experience from conventional round balls.

Who should skip it?

The Hol-ee Football may not be the best choice if your dog routinely destroys rubber toys very quickly or needs a toy specifically engineered around extreme chewing.

It is also not the right choice if you want a toy that can safely be left unattended for long periods. Like other dog toys, it should be inspected and used according to the dog’s chewing behavior.

Overall, we rate the JW Hol-ee Football 4.5 out of 5. Its strongest advantage is versatility: the combination of rubber, open holes, football shape, and treat cavity gives it more possible uses than a standard fetch ball.