Why Tennis Balls Are Bad for Dogs

We've all seen a dog run after a tennis ball until it catches it, chew on it a bit, and bring it back to its human so they'll throw it again, running after it once more. It really is a super fun game where, besides having a good time, they get exercise.

But are tennis balls good for dogs? Can they play with them? Actually, it's best if they don't. Once you read the reasons why we advise against it, you'll never let your dog bite one again. But the ball game doesn't end here — we've laid out the best alternatives so you can keep playing safely.

How Is a Tennis Ball Made?

You might think this isn't relevant, but it's your dog who will bite it constantly while playing with it, so you should know exactly what it's biting. This way you'll see whether it's safe or not.

A rubber sphere is made with air inside — that sphere will be the core of the tennis ball. It's then coated with a powerful industrial adhesive and covered in synthetic felt (which, unlike natural felt made of wool, is quite toxic).

This felt is yellow because it's been dyed with a highly resistant (and toxic) chemical dye, and finally, the ball is coated in fiberglass to make it more durable.

Tennis Balls Are Toxic for Dogs

Biting it a little by accident might not cause any serious problem, but using them as a regular toy is actually very dangerous. The fiberglass on their surface constantly files down their teeth, even if they don't bite it. Simple contact chips away at our dogs' tooth enamel.

Over time, our dog will suffer serious damage to its teeth due to the wear caused by contact with the fiberglass. Also, when they bite it, they also get it wet with their saliva, which soaks up the chemicals and dyes the ball contains, running the risk of poisoning our dog.

We all know how dogs are — sooner or later they'll end up shredding it or tearing it into little pieces from so much biting, and its components are very toxic. If swallowed, they can not only cause serious poisoning but also a serious intestinal blockage.

What Happens If My Dog Has Played With a Tennis Ball?

Playing occasionally probably hasn't posed a danger to your dog, although it's possible its tooth enamel is already damaged (luckily, it regenerates). If we've played fetch with our dog using a tennis ball, now that we know it's bad for them, we shouldn't do it again.

If your dog has played a lot with this type of ball, it would be a good idea for a vet to check its teeth during its next visit, to rule out any serious or irreparable damage. Remember that dogs do almost everything with their mouth — pick up objects, defend themselves, eat.... if we damage their teeth, they'll be left defenseless.

Healthy Alternatives to Tennis Balls

There are many other types of balls we can use to play with our dogs that don't pose a serious problem for their health. Some are even highly recommended due to their dual function, since besides providing fun, they also serve a dental cleaning purpose.

Dental Ball for Dogs

This type of ball is made from non-toxic rubber, so our dog can bite it over and over without any danger. And its teeth won't suffer — instead, they'll get cleaned thanks to its ergonomic shape.

Frontenis Balls

Frontenis balls can also be a good option — they don't have any felt coating, making them an excellent choice to replace harmful tennis balls.

Precautions to Keep in Mind

Even with toys that are more or less safe, we should never stop paying attention to them. The perfect toy doesn't exist, and any of them can end up breaking and, in the worst case, cause choking or a blockage.

When you see your dog starting to tear the ball apart, it's best to replace it immediately with another one or with a chew toy specifically made for dogs, which are highly durable.