Are tennis balls bad for dogs teeth

Tennis balls are the epitome of a dog toy and most dogs can’t resist the rubbery chewiness and fuzzy texture. However, tennis and other chew balls are best used only under your close supervision because they can pose health risks for your dog. Let’s take a closer look at some of the major concerns around tennis balls as chew toys.

Although many catch and chew balls are labeled “indestructible,” a large, strong dog with a powerful jaw can split a tennis ball in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, and those halves can be swallowed quite effortlessly. Sometimes, one-half – or possibly all – of the ball can get lodged in the back of their throats, causing a serious medical emergency, as your dog may not be able to breathe during the process. 

The ball itself is not the only choking risk. Some dogs enjoy shredding the yellow-green fuzz that covers the tennis ball, but your dog isn’t able to digest the rubber or furry cover at all. Over time, these pieces can lead to choking hazards and intestinal blockages, creating a dangerous medical emergency that may require surgery to resolve. 

Even if your dog doesn’t try and eat his ball, it can still cause harm. The outer coating of a tennis ball is quite abrasive and can wear down a dog’s teeth (called “blunting”), sometimes severely. After years of this kind of wear and tear, it may become possible to see tennis-ball shaped grooves on the inside surface of your dog’s teeth. This kind of irreversible damage can cause considerable pain and make it difficult for your dog to eat, not to mention make their teeth more susceptible to breakage. If your dog has a ball in his mouth at all hours, especially if it is covered in dirt or sand, you may want to switch to a toy with a solid surface. 

Tennis balls are assembled in mass quantities on factory assembly lines all over the world. Unfortunately, there are no standards for the materials used in the manufacturing process and there are undoubtedly toxic chemicals used from the rubber ball, to the fuzzy coating, to the glue that holds it all together. Further, the balls are designed specifically for the game of tennis and are made to be cheap and effective for the sport. You may want to think twice when your dog is chewing happily on a tennis ball – there is no way of knowing what kinds of chemicals they are ingesting. 

If you want to let your dog play with a tennis ball while also reducing the risks thay they present, it is important to embrace safe practices:

• Only use the ball for fetch and don’t leave it lying around the house for your dog to gnaw on all day. 

• Never allow your dog to play with a tennis ball without your supervision.

• Discard any ball that begins to show signs of wear and tear before it ultimately falls apart.

Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide whether a tennis ball is right for your dog. Think the issue through thoroughly and act in the best interest of your pet. As you can see, tennis balls do present a few risks for dogs, but if you embrace a few common-sense, safe practices, you can likely allow your dog to play fetch in a controlled, enclosed environment. 

The doctors and staff at Sierra Veterinary Hospital are available to help answer any questions or concerns you may have about tennis ball safely and can suggest fun toys for your fur baby that won’t adversely affect their dental or overall health and wellbeing. Contact us today to make an appointment and talk more about your dog’s health!

Giving your dog their favorite toy brings you both joy—you get rewarded with a happy pup, and at least a few minutes of distraction. But not all toys are created equal, and experts warn that one of the most popular dog toys could pose a significant risk to your dog's health for some alarming reasons. If you've been letting your pooch chew on this canine standby, you should stop immediately. Read on to find out which toy you'll have to confiscate, and for more potential dangers, If Your Dog Is Doing This, It Could Be a Sign of COVID, New Study Says.

It may seem unlikely that your dog could split a tennis ball in half and end up choking on it, but experts warn that this is possible—especially for larger dogs with powerful jaws. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that tennis balls can be serious choking hazards. "One-half of the tennis ball can get lodged in the back of their throats, blocking the airway," the AKC notes.

But the ball itself isn't the only choking hazard. Some dogs also end up shredding the fuzz on tennis balls, and that can cause choking as well—not to mention intestinal blockages, which could require surgery. And if you're looking for a pet to add to your home, check out The 21 Most Low-Maintenance Pets You Can Own.

Veterinarian Georgina Ushi, DVM, a writer for We Love Doodles, notes that the chemicals present in tennis balls could pose a risk if swallowed. "Tennis balls are made to endure entire tennis games and not to be chewed on, which means their creation process could … contain chemicals or other components that could represent a risk to your dog if ingested," she says.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

And that's not all. Veterinary dental specialist Thomas Chamberlain, DVM, told the AKC that the fuzz on tennis balls is abrasive. Compounded with the dirt and sand that can accumulate as your dog plays with the ball, that fuzz can be grating on your pup's teeth. "As your dog chomps on a tennis ball, the fuzz acts like sandpaper, gradually wearing down her teeth in a process called 'blunting,'" the AKC explains. "This can eventually lead to dental problems such as exposed tooth pulp and difficulty chewing." And for intel on the presidential pooches, This Is the One Place in the White House the First Dogs Aren't Allowed.

Veterinarian Rachel Barrack, DVM, of Animal Acupuncture says that while you shouldn't leave your dog unattended with a tennis ball, you can safely use the ball to play fetch with. That's great news for you and for your pup, since tennis balls are a fan favorite among dogs. Yellow is one of the only two colors dogs can see, which might explain why they're so drawn to these balls in particular. "Their bouncy erratic movements mimic rodents in the wild, which canines used to prey on," says Maureen Murithi, DVM, team veterinarian at SpiritDog Training. "Tennis balls instinctively activate their prey drive."

Joanna Woodnutt, BVM, head veterinarian at Breed Advisor, says that if you're nervous to let your dog play with a tennis ball, you can swap it for a safer alternative that's similar in size. "Rubber balls specially made for dogs are generally a good option, but you can also get canine tennis balls that are less likely to break and are less abrasive," she suggests. And for more useful information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Tennis balls aren't the only things you shouldn't let your beloved pet chew on. "Games like fetch are fun for everyone involved, but watch what you use," Barrack warns. "Dead branches and sticks are a common choice, but they can splinter and cause irritations and obstructions if ingested." She also advises against bones because they can result in gastrointestinal issues or obstruction. "Always avoid toys with little pieces, and if your dog likes to shred soft toys, they should not be given access to them," Barrack adds.

Hale Veterinary Clinic advocates following the "kneecap rule": "If you would not want me to hit you in the kneecap with it, do not let your dog chew on it." Allowing your dog to chew on something too hard can lead to painful tooth damage. And for a star's dog you need to see, Jennifer Aniston's Adorable New Rescue Puppy Has the Classiest Name.