Tennis Balls Are Toxic To Dogs

Do you know that tennis balls are toxic to dogs? There are no standards for the materials used in making regular tennis balls because they are made to play tennis. Tennis balls contain lead along with other toxic materials. Tests have shown that one ball contained 335.7 parts per million (ppm) of lead, an amount that exceeds the 100 ppm federal standard for lead in children’s toys.

Lead is a neurotoxin and exposure to lead in dogs can cause serious health issues.

Tennis balls are the most durable of all toys, which is why they’re such a popular choice for dogs! While they may last longer than other toys, tennis balls pose many risks to pets.

Studies have shown that tennis balls are toxic to dogs, especially if chewed. If ingested, the lead can cause serious health problems for your dog.

The risk of toxicity depends on the size of the dog and the size of the tennis ball. The smaller the tennis ball in diameter-wise, the more dangerous it is for your pet. As long as you watch them play with the tennis ball, they should be fine! It is important never to leave any toy lying around unsupervised.

Tennis balls can also pose a suffocation risk because they are very bouncy and roll into small spaces where your pet could become trapped or unable to breathe. One test showed that half of all dog tennis balls tested had significant traces of chemicals like zinc that can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested.

The chemical glue in tennis balls also poses a risk to pets.

In some cases, the chemicals in the tennis ball can cause minor skin irritations for dogs that chew on them. You can buy safer chew toys at leading pet stores or order handmade ones from Etsy shops.

If you’re going to allow your dog to play with tennis balls, be sure to monitor their activity and inspect the toy regularly for wear and tear. If your dog starts chewing on a ball beyond what is normal or if it begins leaking a foul odor, take the ball away immediately!

The rubber in the tennis ball, as well as any adhesives or chemicals used to seal the ball, can cause gastrointestinal issues and even death if ingested.

Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe:

1. Buy a dog-safe tennis ball for your pet! The balls I’ll be sharing with you today are all incredibly durable and do not contain any of the dangerous chemical glues or materials found in traditional tennis balls.

2. Only allow your dog to play with his/her new toy under supervision.

3. Make sure that the size of the chew toys is appropriate for your dog considering they carry larger breeds like my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Duke. He tends to enjoy playing fetch more than chewing on dog toys, so we were able to find a perfect size for him that wouldn’t pose a risk of a choking hazard or swallowing.

4. Inspect the dog toys regularly and replace them if they begin to show signs of excessive wear and tear!

5. Do not leave any toy lying around unsupervised, especially when you are not at home!

Dog’s teeth are made of the same material as our own teeth, called calcium hydroxyapatite. This material is very soluble in acids and your dog’s saliva contains a lot of bacteria, which makes the surface soft. Therefore, it is always better to give your dog toys that are not easily destructible.

So, not to alarm you or anything, but the next time your dog brings a tennis ball to you in his mouth, take a minute before throwing it back for him to fetch again. Get a toy made specifically for dogs that is safe and non toxic.

We highly recommend non toxic pet toys like Westpaws.

Westpaws are fun toys that are among the safest available dog toy unlike tennis balls. They are made from FDA food contact safe materials, and they can even be sterilized. They’re balls are safe for dogs and a much better and safer option!

There is a good chance that your dog will entertain himself with whatever chew toy you choose- as long as it’s safe.

As always, we hope this article has been helpful to you! If so please take a moment and share it with your friends.

You may also enjoy this article: How to Stop Your Dog From Excessive Barking: Tips and Tricks.