Your Dog’s Tennis Ball: Friend or Foe

Your Dog’s Tennis Ball: Friend or Foe

That bright green tennis ball may seem like your dog’s best friend, but it’s actually a hidden enemy to their dental health. Despite being affordable and easy to find, veterinarians advise against using them, especially for dogs that love to chew

The Grinding Truth About Tennis Balls

The biggest problem with a tennis ball lies in its fuzzy exterior. When a dog chews on it, this felt covering acts like sandpaper, slowly grinding down the protective enamel on their teeth. This condition is called “blunting.” As the enamel thins, it exposes the sensitive inner layers of the tooth, leading to increased sensitivity, cavities, and painful toothaches.

The danger increases when the ball gets dirty. All the dirt, grit, and sand it picks up from the yard get stuck in the fuzz, making it even more abrasive and speeding up the damage. A dog who constantly chomps on a dirty tennis ball is essentially sandblasting their own teeth.

Risk of Dental Pain, Infections, and Tooth Fractures

The damage doesn’t stop there. Continuing enamel erosion can expose the tooth’s pulp, which is extremely painful and can even cause behavioral issues like irritability or a refusal to eat. In some cases, strong chewers can crack or break their teeth on the hard rubber core, which often requires costly dental work or surgery to fix.

Choking and Digestive Hazards

Tennis balls contain more than just dental issues. Tennis balls can also be broken up or shredded by some dogs, particularly larger breeds or dogs with strong jaws, and even if the pieces are smaller, they can be swallowed, but they cannot be digested. The rubber or felt covering can get stuck in the mouth and oesophagus, obstruct the airway, or create serious and life-threatening intestinal obstructions that need emergency surgery to remove. This can be lethal.

Chemical and Material Safety Issues

Tennis balls are not designed as pet toys but for sport. Their manufacturing methods can require different forms of adhesive, possibly harmful substances, or fibers that are not designed to be in the mouth or swallowed for extended periods. Other tennis balls are positive for dangerous substances such as lead or harmful glues.

How to Choose a Safer Toy

Veterinary dental specialists recommend skipping the tennis ball in favor of toys made specifically for dogs. Look for durable rubber balls or other toys that don’t have an abrasive coating. These are easier to keep clean and won’t harm your dog’s teeth.

If your dog can’t live without their tennis ball, use it with caution:

• Supervise all play. Never leave your dog alone with a tennis ball as a chew toy.

• Keep it short. Limit play to short intervals, especially if your dog is an aggressive chewer.

• Inspect all toys. Regularly check all your dog’s toys for signs of damage and replace them as needed.

Conclusion

It may seem ironic, but tennis balls are a silent but real enemy to your dog’s dental health and safety. Their rough fuzz wears down enamel, creates more opportunities for toothaches and trauma and even poses choking and gastrointestinal emergencies. When choosing toys for your dog, choose those made with the pet in mind, and ask your veterinarian what the best options might be for your pet.