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At 13, my canine Tiny, slightly Cocker Spaniel combine, isn’t precisely stuffed with zoomies as of late. But after I escape a tennis ball, he goes into prompt pet play mode, although his getting old physique can’t sustain prefer it used to. Most different toys? Not a lot. It’s the tennis ball.
Sound acquainted? Maybe your canine additionally turns into a blur of pleasure the second a tennis ball hits the bottom. So, what’s it about this fuzzy yellow ball that drives canines wild?
Why Do Dogs Love Tennis Balls? 3 Top Reasons
It’s no secret: canines and tennis balls are a match made in slobber heaven.
For some canines (like mine), tennis balls aren’t only a toy; they’re the toy. A treasure to bury, carry, and current proudly to house owners and company to entice playtime. Out of all of the toys on the market, why this one?
1. Prey Drive: The Dog Instinct Runs Deep
Chasing small, fast-moving objects faucets into many canines’ instincts, particularly in searching and herding breeds. Tennis balls mimic the dimensions and texture of small animals, triggering a canine’s intuition to chase and seize them. The measurement, bounce, and unpredictability of a tennis ball make it the proper goal.
2. Texture & Odor
The fuzzy texture of a tennis ball feels good of their mouths, and tennis balls entice odors properly, making them enjoyable to smell and chew.
3. Unpredictable Movement
The erratic bounce of tennis balls excites canines, making them desirous to chase after them. After all, they’re extra of a problem than a daily outdated ball.
Why Do Dogs Like Chasing Balls?
It’s coded of their DNA. Many canines are pure chasers. When one thing quick and unpredictable rolls by, that intuition kicks in like turbo mode. But our pups produce other causes as properly.
Chasing a ball offers our furry buddies:
- A burst of train
- A problem to concentrate on
- A way of accomplishment
- A technique to bond with their favourite human
“You Threw It. I Must Return It.”
Dogs don’t simply love the ball; they love the sport. Fetch faucets into their want for connection. That “bring it back” loop is their model of small discuss. It’s repetitive, for certain, however deeply bonding for them.
- Toss = invitation
- Retrieve = success
- Return = approval
- Repeat = happiness overload
Dogs And Tennis Balls: Mental Stimulation On A Budget
In addition to the human-dog bond and enjoyable issue, tennis balls are mentally enriching. Sure, chasing is enjoyable. But your canine isn’t simply sprinting round for laughs. Tennis balls interact their mind.
Dogs love puzzles, and chasing down a ball that rolls beneath the sofa or bounces off furnishings retains their brains buzzing. Some pups even invent their very own video games, corresponding to dropping the ball down the steps or into your lap each six seconds.
These video games assist forestall boredom, stress, and anxiousness, and curb damaging behaviors. So yeah, a slobbery ball may be gross, nevertheless it’s cheaper than a brand new sofa.
Fun Facts
- The common canine can run at speeds of 15–20 mph. That’s why they’ll teleport to a ball earlier than you even blink.
- Some canines will develop a “preferred ball.” They’ll flip down every other substitute. Diva power.
- Dogs use their sense of scent to determine “their” ball, even when it’s one among twenty.
Can Dogs See Tennis Balls?
Yes, however not in the identical means we do. Ever surprise why your pup appears to lose sight of a crimson or inexperienced tennis ball mid-bounce? It’s as a result of canines are partially colorblind. They see largely in muted shades of blue and yellow. So, whereas we see vibrant neon inexperienced, canines possible see a uninteresting yellow or blue-gray model of it.
Want To Up Their Fetch Game?
Use a blue or yellow ball and keep away from crimson or inexperienced. Many dog-safe tennis balls are sometimes accessible in blue and yellow colours. They would possibly assist enhance your sport of fetch (particularly when it’s twilight and your canine’s like, “Where did it go?!”).
Are Tennis Balls Bad For Dogs? Know The Risks
Tennis balls may be a fetch favourite, however they’re not with out some hidden risks, particularly in case your canine is a heavy chewer or by no means lets that ball depart their mouth. Here are a number of well being dangers to bear in mind:
1. Tooth Wear
Unfortunately, tennis balls and canines’ enamel aren’t match. The fuzzy outer layer of standard tennis balls is surprisingly abrasive. Over time, it might probably act like sandpaper and put on down your canine’s enamel, particularly in the event that they like to chew.
This sort of dental injury can result in sensitivity, painful gum infections, elevated danger of tooth loss, and even damaged enamel. Additionally, chewing aggressively may even crack enamel in breeds with sturdy jaws.
2. Choking & Blockages
If your canine tears up a tennis ball (or tries to swallow it entire), items can turn into lodged of their throat or worse, their intestines. Intestinal blockages could be life-threatening and infrequently require emergency surgical procedure.
3. Toxic Materials
Some normal tennis balls (meant for the court docket, not for pets) might comprise dangerous glues, dyes, or fillers not meant to be chewed and ingested. Dog-specific balls are often made with safer, non-toxic supplies.
Protecting Your Pup’s Health
Tennis ball obsession is often innocent enjoyable, however it might probably additionally include well being dangers. Dogs can swallow items of damaged balls, resulting in intestinal blockages that will require emergency surgical procedure. And throughout high-speed video games of fetch, some pups can take a incorrect flip, slip, or collide with objects, leading to sprains, damaged bones, or worse.
That’s the place pet insurance coverage could be a lifesaver. It helps cowl surprising accidents, accidents, surgical procedures (and unexpected diseases) so that you’re not caught with as large a vet invoice when playtime — or your pup’s well being — goes incorrect.
Want A Safer Fetch? Try These Alternatives
Skip a budget balls from the greenback bin and tennis balls meant for the game. Your canine deserves higher. Here are some safer balls made only for our pups. Dog-friendly balls offer you extra prolonged playtime and might help shield your pup’s enamel.
If your pup is an Olympic-level chewer, take a look at our opinions of the very best indestructible canine toys for essentially the most aggressive chewers.
4 Tips To Keep Fetch Safe
Fetch is implausible, however security at all times comes first. A little bit supervision goes a good distance towards stopping accidents (and costly vet payments). These suggestions additionally apply to different toys.
Here’s maintain ball time secure and enjoyable:
1. Supervise Play
Always keep watch over your canine throughout fetch. Don’t simply toss the ball and stroll away. Once playtime’s over, put the ball away, particularly in case your canine tends to shred toys in secret.
2. Pick The Right Size
Ensure the ball is the proper measurement on your canine’s mouth. Too small? Choking hazard. Too massive? They may not wish to play in any respect. A superb fetch ball needs to be straightforward to hold however not straightforward to swallow.
3. Retire Damaged Balls
If the ball appears to be like prefer it’s prepared to separate open, toss it. A torn cowl or punctures are your cue to exchange it.
4. Teach “Drop It”
Training your canine to launch the ball on command could be a lifesaver. If they’re chewing on a broken ball or refusing to let go, a strong “drop it” can maintain issues from turning harmful.
Breeds Who Take Their Ball Game Seriously
While most canines benefit from the chase, some are obsessive about it. These canines don’t similar to tennis balls; they reside for them. Some of the highest tennis ball junkies embrace:
Even couch-potato breeds can shock you with a hidden love for fetch. You by no means know till you toss. Even a lazy Pug would possibly shock you with a sudden burst of zoomies once they see that yellow fuzzy ball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions pup house owners typically ask about canines and tennis balls. If you don’t see yours right here, ask us in our feedback!
Why Does My Dog Love One Specific Ball And Ignore The Rest?
It’s often a matter of scent, texture, and private choice. Dogs bear in mind which tennis ball smells such as you or them and would possibly favor it as a result of it feels acquainted, like a consolation object.
Why Is My Dog’s Ball Always Gross?
There is not any such factor as a dry tennis ball in the event you personal a canine. They drool on it, roll it in mud, and drop it of their water bowl for enjoyable. Dogs mark their treasured objects in some ways — and soaking a tennis ball in drool is one among them.
Once it smells and tastes like them, it turns into their prized possession. They’ll carry it to mattress or place it lovingly in your lap like a sacred present. Just settle for it. You’re household now.
My Dog Shredded A Tennis Ball. Should I Be Worried?
If your canine eats elements of the ball, name your vet. Ingested tennis ball fuzz or rubber can result in intestinal blockages. Always supervise play and exchange worn-out or broken balls to maintain your pup secure and safe.
Beyond Balls: Other Great Toys Dogs Love
Toys present our pups with psychological enrichment and bodily train, conserving them completely satisfied and wholesome. If your pup is obsessive about toys, take a look at our opinions of the greatest interactive canine toys, together with puzzles, self-moving toys, automated ball launchers, and extra.
Does your furry pal have an obsession with tennis balls or balls usually? We’d love to listen to any humorous tales about your canine’s fetch prowess, so please share in our feedback!