Why Do Dogs Like Tennis Balls So Much? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & FAQ

Even if you aren’t a dog person, everybody knows many of our canine pals can’t get enough of playing with tennis balls. They’re fun to chase and enjoyable to chew, and tennis balls are a simple enrichment tool some owners may use for bonding and working out with their dog.

However, tennis balls should be used with some caution. The fuzzy outer layer can be abrasive and may contribute to tooth wear over time, especially if a dog frequently chews on them. Standard tennis balls can also break apart, creating a choking hazard or a risk of swallowing pieces. Supervised play and choosing canine-specific balls designed for durability and safety are often recommended instead of tennis balls.

It might seem arbitrary that the tennis ball became the universally agreed-upon playtime toy, but it’s no wonder dogs adore the fuzzy green orbs. Here’s everything you need to know about why dogs like tennis balls and whether they should be a part of your dog’s daily exercise.

The 5 Reasons Dogs Like Tennis Balls

1. They’re Springy

A tennis ball’s bouncy composition delivers all kinds of entertaining qualities a dog can appreciate. The compressibility provides a pleasurable chew, while the ball’s springiness allows it to bounce around. Strong chewers, however, can easily destroy the ball, risking ingesting its pieces, making a tennis ball a less than desirable choice in some cases.

Alongside the round shape, this makes them livelier than many other toys you might throw, making them more fun for some dogs. Many dogs, depending on breed and training, may have a prey drive, and the erratic movements of a thrown tennis ball supply the perfect stimulation for their instinct to chase.

2. They’re an Appropriate Size

Many sports balls have a rubbery texture and air-filled bounce that can make them appealing for dogs to mouth, but they are not designed as chew toys, and few are truly suited to a dog’s jaws. Tennis balls may seem like the perfect size for average-sized dogs to mouth comfortably, although for them in particular, they often pose a serious choking risk. Another issue is sometimes with larger dogs that may try to swallow the ball whole or their pieces when destroyed. The fuzzy coating and rubber core can also break apart over time, creating additional hazards. We can’t stress enough how important it is to supervise your dog while playing.

3. They Hold Attractive Smells

Tennis ball fibers trap different odors as they bounce around, many of which a dog might find intriguing. They also maintain a dog’s unique smell, as well as that of their owner. If your dog has a worn ball they love, it might be because it’s full of a favorite familiar scent.

4. Dogs Can See Them Better

Dogs may appear to have a particular affinity for yellow tennis balls, not because it’s their favorite color but because it’s one of the tones they can see most easily. Dogs have more rod cells than cone cells in their eyes, which helps them detect motion and see well in low light but limits their color perception. They are often described as red-green color blind, distinguishing shades of blue and yellow more easily while having difficulty separating many other hues. As a result, bright yellow tennis balls may be easier for dogs to notice, which can help grab their attention during play.

5. They Feel Good to Chew

The fuzzy covering on a tennis ball provides a surface that many dogs enjoy gripping or mouthing. The felt coating creates resistance against the teeth, which can make the ball satisfying for some dogs to chew during play. However, these same qualities are also reasons why chewing should be minimized or prevented. The abrasive felt can gradually wear down tooth enamel over time, and damaged balls may pose choking or ingestion risks, alongside the other concerns mentioned earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Are Tennis Balls Made Of?

Tennis balls are typically pressurized balls made from a hollow rubber structure. A felt coating wraps around the outside, usually made from a blend of wool and synthetic fibers such as nylon, which gives the ball its soft, fuzzy texture.

Should Dogs Play With Tennis Balls?

Tennis balls are affordable, accessible, and easy to use, so why wouldn’t you include them in your dog’s arsenal of enrichment devices? However, dog owners should exercise caution. While tennis balls can provide exercise and mental stimulation, they also carry notable risks, such as tooth wear, choking hazards, and ingestion of pieces, so supervision and careful selection are essential.

Toxic Compounds

Innocuous as they may seem, some tennis balls, particularly certain pet-specific products, can contain concerning levels of heavy metals and chemicals. In 2009, the Michigan-based Ecology Center tested hundreds of products for assorted toxins. Studies revealed that among the tested tennis balls, 48% had detectable lead levels. The lettering contained 2,696 ppm of lead and 262 ppm of arsenic in one tennis ball for pets.

Lead has an observed effect on dogs in daily doses as low as 1 mg/kg for 10 days. Toxicity can cause behavioral changes and various gastrointestinal and neurological effects, including anorexia, vomiting, and seizures. Interestingly, the study that found such high levels in pet tennis balls found no instances of lead in standard sports tennis balls.

Even if lead isn’t the issue in all products, hazards like phthalates and arsenic are still concerning. For this reason, if choosing tennis balls for dogs, owners should select high-quality, tested products and avoid letting their dog chew them unsupervised.

Tooth Damage

Prolonged chewing on a tennis ball isn’t as safe as the soft felt covering might imply. Over time, the nylon can grind on tooth enamel, wearing down the canines and premolars to expose the dentin. The bare nerves can cause considerable discomfort, responding sensitively to touch and temperature. Alongside the fibers, dirt and other grit can cling to tennis balls as they roll around, adding another abrasive element.

Choking Hazard

The hard rubber making up a tennis ball shell can handle a decent amount of abuse, but most dogs can eventually sink their teeth in to rip it apart. Power chewers are more efficient, often destroying fresh balls in a matter of minutes.

Regardless of what’s in the tennis ball, the torn-up pieces may often present a choking hazard. Dogs of any breed can get an oversized piece lodged in their throat. Some may even compress an intact ball enough to pass it into their gullet.

If they swallow it, the indigestible fibers and rubber materials can bind up the stomach, causing painful and dangerous GI blockages that may take surgery to fix.

How Can I Let My Dog Safely Play With Tennis Balls?

Despite the hazards, you can find a middle ground where your dog can safely enjoy them without putting them at serious risk of injury. The following are a few tips for safe play if your dog won’t give up their tennis balls:

You can also use a more appropriate rubber toy ball for pets. Items like Chuckit! balls use heavy-duty rubber that can withstand biting and last longer than the average tennis ball. Many even come with cavities to pack with treats, giving your dog multiple levels of fun in one toy.

Conclusion

Everything from the sight to the smell of a tennis ball can entice a dog to start playing. Simple sports accessories have long been a go-to favorite for our pets, and few toys seem more effective at keeping them entertained.

At the same time, tennis balls have several safety considerations, requiring a careful approach to prevent problems. If you can supervise your dog closely and prioritize quality equipment, there’s no reason they can’t be part of your dog’s regular exercise routine.

See Also:

• Ball Games for Dogs to Try With Your Pet

• What Is Schutzhund? A Comprehensive Guide to the Incredible Dog Sport

Featured Image Credit: Oleg Kopyov, Shutterstock