What Balls Are Safe for Dogs To Chew On?

Are balls dangerous for dogs? Like most dog owners, we’ve been giving our dogs balls to play with since they were puppies, with puppies showing a particular fascination with balls. While fetch is one of the most classic dog games, that doesn’t mean balls, especially tennis balls, are the safest dog toys for our fur kids. After seeing a friend’s pet nearly lose his life due to a ball-related accident, I felt it was time to discuss ball safety and what we as dog owners can do to ensure our pets are as safe as possible when playing with their favorite toys!

Ball Size: Why It Matters

When it comes to balls, one of the things many people don’t even consider is size. Sure, it’s cute to see our adult dogs playing with puppy-sized balls, but they can be very dangerous! The right-sized dog ball should be small enough for your dog to carry, but large enough that they can’t fit it completely in their mouths – the ball should extend slightly beyond their chins and should be noticeable when they have the ball in their mouths. This can be a little tricky for larger breeds like my Malamute, but not impossible. Dogs should be able to run and play with the ball, but be mindful of tripping or getting too excited. Almost every dog toy manufacturer makes balls in a variety of sizes.

Are tennis balls dangerous for dogs?

Honestly, I would avoid tennis balls, or at least watch your dog very carefully when using these balls. Tennis balls are made to withstand the abuse of… tennis balls. The fuzzy, brightly colored exterior of the ball can wear and cause some damage to a dog’s teeth and mouth, not to mention swallowing it. In addition to these balls being more of a choking hazard for larger dogs, their design also makes them extremely dangerous for dogs. Unlike balls designed for dogs, dogs are able to compress tennis balls to a certain degree with their powerful jaws. These compressed balls can easily be swallowed by dogs and then bounce back into the dog’s throat, cutting off their air supply. While the simple and obvious answer is to ban all tennis balls, they are often the only balls that are appropriate for dog ball launchers.

Safe Balls for Dogs

Reading all the scary stuff out there, it’s easy to understand why some dog owners say no balls – period. Honestly, I think that’s an overreaction, especially when there are safe balls on the market. Aside from size, consider the materials used to make the ball itself. The ball should be made of food-grade plastic, rubber, or Rylie’s favorite, felt wool.

My Dog Swallowed a Ball: What Now?

We all want to say this will never happen to us, but let’s be honest, it can happen to anyone. Recently, a beautiful 8-year-old Malamute in a group I follow had emergency surgery after accidentally swallowing a ball. The couple was enjoying a fun day at the beach when their baby found a much smaller dog ball on the beach. In her excitement to show it to her owner, she accidentally swallowed the ball and it became lodged in her airway. After emergency CPR and over $10,000 in veterinary bills for emergency surgery (removal of the ball, care, and her heart stopped during the surgery), they were able to save her life.

While it had a happy ending, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared in case this happens in your own home or on a walk. As with all emergencies, make sure you have a veterinarian in your contacts and an emergency veterinarian if your veterinarian isn’t nearby. Your veterinarian or veterinary technician can help guide you on what to do in an emergency to help save your pet’s life on the way to the clinic.