I know exactly what you mean. Weird thing is; the ball is no problem. Its sula that's the pain!! Haha. I do it the same way as the ball.

Sula is just good at closing his throat and spitting it back out. He did it at the vets office too when the vet did it.

I'm just gonna let the vet know what he's doing. And make sure he gets it in far enough. And just take him over there every 2 weeks.

I feel bad for him though ya know. He's such a sweetheart. Now he's gonna have to endure a car trip every 2 weeks. Unless he poops. And the fecal comes back clear.