INTRODUCTION

The tennis ball is a very popular pet toy, yet it is one of the most dangerous accessories we can give our dog.

WHY ARE TENNIS BALLS DANGEROUS FOR DOGS?

The reason lies in the materials they are made of, which damage their teeth over time, causing a serious ‘sandpaper effect’.

These balls are very appealing to dogs due to their soft texture and ease of bouncing, characteristics that come from the rubber they are made of. The problem is that they are also made of another, more dangerous material, which is fibreglass. This covers the surface of the ball, making it more resistant and durable to abrasion.

This fibre is terribly harmful to the dog's teeth, as its continued use causes significant wear on them, causing what is known as the ‘sandpaper effect’. It is not even necessary for the animal to bite the ball for this to happen, but simply by rubbing against this ‘toy’ the teeth are highly damaged.

In addition, the fibres can become embedded between the pet's teeth, leading to inflammation of the gums and severe pain. On the other hand, the felt layer of the ball tends to trap a large amount of dirt, which is absorbed by the animal's organism.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF USING TENNIS BALLS WITH YOUR DOG

There are several consequences of using tennis balls with our dog, such as intoxication or inflammation of the gums when the ball's fluff penetrates under the teeth; the most common ones are:

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEETH

In the first photo you can see how the dog's teeth are slightly sanded. There is still time to remove the tennis ball from your dog's life without painful consequences.

In the second picture, however, you can see a black spot in the centre of the marked tusk. That black spot is the nerve, and if you have ever had to have your nerve killed, you can imagine the pain it causes. At this point it is essential that you take your dog to the vet so that he can work on your pet's teeth to avoid discomfort or unnecessary damage.

The third photo clearly shows severe wear of the dentition.

INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION

A medium sized dog can destroy a tennis ball in less than 5 minutes. I know this because I did the test with Gala, letting her chew on a ball until she broke it, and it took her no more than 5 minutes to do so. Considering that she is a 5 month old puppy, you can deduce what a little carelessness of only 5 minutes can do.

The inside of tennis balls are made of rubber, and once the dog manages to open it, it is very likely to swallow pieces of the material. The dog's digestive system cannot ‘process’ the rubber, which could result in the piece ending up in the puppy's intestinal tract at best. If the piece is too large, it could get stuck in the intestine, forming a blockage. At worst, a piece of rubber could tear through the puppy's intestine, which could lead to death from a serious infection caused by faecal matter leaking out of the intestines. Any of these situations can be fatal to the puppy if proper care is not received in time.

OTHER WAYS TO PLAY WITH YOUR DOG

There are many balls designed especially for dogs and their relatives that guarantee hours of fun. These include tennis balls for dogs that mimic traditional tennis balls. Some of these balls come with additional features: for example, glowing balls allow you to play in the dark, while floating balls are ideal for enjoyment in the water. There are also balls with compartments for hiding treats, which will keep your dog entertained for a long time. Other balls make sounds such as squeaking or whistling as they fly, which stimulates their sense of hearing. Balls with a rope or launcher allow dogs to run more effectively, providing fun and physical activity.

CONCLUSION

There are many dog toys that offer several extras at once. And the best thing is that all dog toys have one goal: to make dogs happy, but safely. However, remember never to leave your dog unsupervised. This is especially important in the case of young dogs or newcomers, whose way of playing you are not yet familiar with.