Comments on: my vet says tennis balls are not good for dogs but he has chew toys for sale. what do I do?

By: junkdodge

junkdodge — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:38:59 +0000

Tennis balls are ok if your dog doesn’t chew them apart. The rubber can definitely cause bowel obstructions if they are chewed and ingested and that can be fatal….YES FATAL. Also if the dog is an aggressive chewer the glue used in the tennis balls erodes the enamel on the dog’s teeth.
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By: Shadow's Melon

Shadow's Melon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:18:59 +0000

I think everyone has well covered the potential issues with tennis balls and dogs. Some do okay, but others shred them to pieces, which can be a problem.

One ball that I have heard suggested by some trainers is the Orbee Ball… they are more expensive than tennis balls, but they are supposed to be virtually indestructable. Everyone I’ve talked to raves about them and they’re on my list to acquire a few soon.

Also, Kongs really are good for dogs and also hard to destroy. If your dog is a really hard chewer, get the black one, rather than the red, as it’s made even more durable.
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By: Nicole B

Nicole B — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:13:59 +0000

They make dog safe tennis balls, you can by them at most pet stores for 1-5$ if you do have any concerns about the normal tennis balls.
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By: 2 Dogs & a Toddy

2 Dogs & a Toddy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:47:59 +0000

How big is your dog? I know that my newf/saint mix shouldn’t have tennis balls because they are too small and he could choke on them. The only other thing that I could think if is that the felt-ish stuff on the ball can come off (my little dog pulls it off with much enthusiasm) and shouldn’t be eaten. Also, regular tennis balls aren’t technically dog toys (though your can buy tennis balls for dogs) and can be easly torn apart by tough chewers and choked on. I know that my dogs don’t like kongs no matter what I put in them. They prefer tennis bones (they are so cute! They are tennis ball matterial that are in the shape of dog bones – also it’s big enough that I don’t worry about my big dog choking and the little dog cat sill carry it around) and plush squeakers (those aren’t a good idea if your dog like to tear things apart though). Personally I would call you vet on it, and ask why they don’t reccomend tennis balls.
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By: jordie0587

jordie0587 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:24:59 +0000

If your dog doesn’t destroy tennis balls a kong will definitely hold up. Tennis balls rub on teeth if they’re chewed on, I call them "doggy chewing gum" because my girl loves to chew them like bubble gum, but after a while the wool fuzz of the tennis ball will rub the teeth down to the the dentin, I have a friends dog who is obsessive that has nubs for teeth because of his ball obsession. My dogs are only allowed to play with them when I’m throwing them or something, never allowed to chew them in the house. Your vet wasn’t really lying to you but he may have been telling you that for the wrong reasons. Dont let your dog chew on tennis balls, I buy my dogs beef femurs from petsmart now, instead of letting them chew tennis balls.

Nylabone makes a toy called the galileo bone that is virtually indestructible, my friend has two staffordshire terriers that are hard chewers and these are the only toys they can have because nothing else will last.
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By: skip1960

skip1960 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:37:59 +0000

Tennis balls have a chemical inside and this might poison your dog. Better to buy chew toys made for dogs. They do have balls and other toys for the dogs that they can chew up that are made for dogs. These are safe and won't harm your animal. Another thing people don't think of is ice melt. Don't use the chemical kind. I buy regular water softener salt that's already crushed. This is safe for you dogs. The chemical type I find people track into my house and I've noticed that my dogs when they get this on there paws will like them to clean them. This also will poison you pet.
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By: Yung N Funky

Yung N Funky — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:16:59 +0000

hmmm…. of course you know if the dog is a chihuahua…its not healthy….it depends on the "size" of the dog.. some breeds like soft toys some like hard
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By: Jade645

Jade645 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:47:59 +0000

I think it depends on your dog. I don’t think there is anything inhereently wrong with tennis balls. However my friend’s dog who is obsessive with tennis balls has worn her teeth down fromt eh dirt and sand on the tennis ball acts like sand paper to her teeth and her teeth are really worn. My dog plays with them periodically and is not a problem. If you have a super strong dog they can chew the tennis ball into pieces and choke, but this is true with most chew toys (Kongs are suppose to ve virutally indestructable so safer to leave your dogs alone with, but some dogs can even destroy these).
My initial response is to just point blank ask the vet why they feel this way and see if it makes sense for your dog.
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By: in3uk

in3uk — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:05:59 +0000

Some dogs, like some humans, are allergic to latex, which is a material used in many tennis balls. Cheap tennis balls particularly are often dyed with toxic substances which your dog injests when they leech into his saliva.
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By: KKingS

KKingS — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:25:59 +0000

The issue with tennis balls is that dogs can choke on them. That’s why it is always best to monitor any time your dog will be playing with one (yes, it is okay to play fetch using a tennis ball…dogs usually love it, you just need to be careful.) Also, depending on how aggressive a chewer your dog is…tennis balls can also be split open. The dog may choke on the pieces or ingest large chunks, causing a blockage.

As for Kongs…they really are good toys. Your dog will likely stay interested in one if you stuff it with goodies like dog treats or peanut butter. If you do decide on a Kong (which will probably last for the rest of the dog’s life,) shop around. Some places sell them for cheaper than others.
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