Martha Stewart Pets Neoprene Disc Toy

September 22, 2011 8:40 pm | By Zootoo Editor Flinn D.

The Neoprene Disc Toy, from Martha Stewart Pets, is a simple, straightforward fun factory built for hours of catch and toss with your active pooch. The toy is red and cream-colored, with a hint of blue — so even if your dog gets distracted and forgets which bush he lost the toy in, the disc isn’t hard to track down.

Our tester dog and I tried the Neoprene Disc Toy out on the beach, where I was anxious to see how it would hold up, especially when tested by the elements (the label claims that the toy is waterproof). By the end of the day, the toy was coated in sand and soaked in salt water, but didn’t show any signs of fatigue or stress.

Better still, the seams — which our tester dog will destroy if they aren’t top-grade — weren’t worn down at all. And since the fabric is built out of a pliant material that doesn’t absorb water either, the toy doesn’t get heavier as it gets wetter.

However, there is one small drawback to the Neoprene Disc Toy that makes it less than ideal for larger dogs, even though the product is marketed as appropriate for dogs of all sizes. As larger dogs tend to chase objects further, you really have to sling that toy or ball out there to give them a good workout. This is hard with the Neoprene Disc Toy because in order to make it waterproof, the manufacturers have opted for a light material that can’t be flung much further than 10 or 15 feet. But this is a minor complaint for an otherwise durable, appealing toy.

Pros: Straightforward and fun; holds up to the elements and to serious play.

Cons: Less than ideal for larger dogs.