Cheap and yellow – tennis balls are popular dog toys. However, models designed for sports are unsuitable for four-legged friends and pose certain risks. Find out below why the classic tennis balls can be dangerous for dogs and which pet-friendly alternatives are available.
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Tennis balls that are intended for sports are not suitable as dog toys
Tennis balls are harmless fun? Find out why this isn’t the case:
The insides of tennis balls used in sports often contain gases such as nitrogen to enhance their bounce and flight through the air. Colourings and other chemicals make balls water-resistant and give them their bright yellow colour. In short, the composition of a tennis ball can be harmful for dogs if they come into contact with it often, since dogs put the ball in their mouth, where mucosa absorb damaging chemicals.
It’s also possible that damaging substances end up in the dog’s mouth due to chewing and sucking the ball. Regarding swallowing, if dogs take the ball apart, small parts can get stuck in their stomach or intestine and lead to constipation or the danger of intestinal obstruction.
Swallowing small parts is a double risk, because parts of the tennis ball can get stuck in the throat and pose a risk of suffocation for dogs.
There is a further danger for dogs with large mouths: let’s say a strong dog bites the tennis ball flat and at the same time the ball slides into the back of its throat. If it returns to its round shape, it can limit breathing and the harmless play can turn into a life-threatening situation.
Tip: In short, the size of the (dog-friendly) toy ball should always match the size of the dog. Large dogs can easily swallow (too) small balls.
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A tennis ball used in sports is supposed to withstand a lot: hit after hit, game after game. Its surface is designed to make it ideally suited for constant contact with tennis rackets and impact with the floor. The felt surface of tennis balls is made up of a waterproof mix of wool and nylon, which is very resistant.
Some dogs love chewing tennis balls for pleasure. This can have fatal consequences for their teeth: when strongly biting tennis balls or catching them in the air, the abrasion on the teeth acts like sandpaper. In the long term, this grinds the tooth enamel and gives dogs toothache. Oh boy!
For this reason, a tennis ball specifically designed for dogs and made from pet-friendly materials and is the better choice
Toxic, swallowable, damaging to teeth – the classic tennis balls aren’t designed for dogs. Are you surprised that such a popular toy is dangerous for dogs? The most important reason why tennis balls aren’t suitable for dogs is that manufacturers focus on creating a perfect piece of sporting equipment for tennis players.
In contrast to producers of dog toys, they don’t consider the safety or possible long-term damage for dogs. Compared with most everyday objects, dog toys generally usually provide the greatest safety. Many everyday things that may look like good dog toys on first glance are totally unsuitable when you take a second look.
Does your dog love tennis balls? No problem! There are lots of balls specially designed for your dog and other canines just waiting to be played with. Also, there are of course mock tennis balls for dogs.
Good to know: There are Dog Toys, which is based on the typical tennis ball, but is made of non-hazardous materials. These Balls are usually more robust than normal tennis balls used in sports.
Important: You should still not let your dog play with it unsupervised. Parts can always come loose if the animal chews on its toy. Therefore, damaged balls should be disposed of and replaced immediately.
Balls for every taste
In addition to dog-friendly tennis ball alternatives, there are also other types of dog balls with numerous extras: luminous balls make playing in the dark possible. Floating balls allow for fun in the water. Balls with openings to hide treats can keep your dog occupied on its own for a while.
Balls that squeak or swish loudly when thrown through the air also have auditory appeal. Balls with a throwing line or arm for dog owners provide the perfect flight path and running fun for dogs. Many dog toys offer further extras too.
And the best thing is that all balls declared as dog toys only have one objective: to bring dogs joy safely! Nevertheless, don’t leave your dog unsupervised. This particularly applies to young dogs or those that have recently entered your home and you are still unfamiliar with how they behave when playing.
Not only playing but also joyfully chewing on a tennis ball brings your dog great fun? In this case, special dog balls can also provide long-lasting chewing pleasure. Special chew toys are not always round, but they are durable and help maintain dental health.
Edible dried chew products like pizzle or rumen offer healthy chewy fun for dogs of all sizes.
Be it short hikes in the surrounding area, day trips at the weekend or whole hiking holidays with your dog, hiking is a great hobby for human-canine teams!
Cheap and yellow – tennis balls are popular dog toys. However, models designed for sports are unsuitable for four-legged friends and pose certain risks. Find out below why the classic tennis balls can be dangerous for dogs and which pet-friendly alternatives are available.
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