Can Eating A Tennis Ball Harm My Dog?
Tennis balls are made of synthetic materials like rubber and plastic, and the body cannot digest these. This means that if they are swallowed and enter the gut, they will have to come back out whole. They will come back out either via the mouth or at the other end!
Once the tennis ball or any part of it has entered the gut, it is known as a foreign body or foreign object. It then poses a risk of bowel obstruction. The gut is long and often narrow. This makes it very easy for them to get blocked, and this is the main risk for dogs. Bowel obstructions are very serious and can be life-threatening.
Don’t panic, though! There are plenty of actions veterinarians can take to help your dog. And this is true, even if the whole ball is swallowed. But you must seek help at the earliest opportunity for the best outcome.
On a side note, tennis balls are also thought to wear down a dog’s teeth as they chew on them due to the roughness of the fuzzy surface. If your pup likes to chew, it is best to avoid tennis balls and seek out purpose-designed dog toys that will not damage the teeth.
Tennis balls should also be avoided in older dogs. The act of throwing a ball and playing fetch can put a lot of pressure on joints. Older dogs are potentially at risk of arthritis in their legs and the twists, turns, and high speed of fetch can be quite damaging on top of this. Steady and controlled exercise is best and can still provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Tennis balls and other smaller balls can also pose a choking hazard to dogs. Again, this can be a veterinary emergency as the ball may block the airway. You’ll need to make sure you match the ball to your dog’s size so it’s not too small for them to swallow.
What Will Happen if My Dog Swallowed Tennis Ball Fuzz?
Many dogs will happily chew and shred the yellow-green fuzz around a tennis ball but if they swallow it, this can be dangerous for your pooch.
It’s not possible for the swallowed fuzz to be broken down in your dog’s stomach or intestines.
So like any other foreign body, it can cause a blockage which again could require surgery.
How can you tell if a dog has a blockage?
The Dog Who Eats Tennis Balls | My Dog Ate What?
If your dog ate a tennis ball and is reacting adversely, contact your local veterinarian immediately. … Tennis balls are used very commonly for play both indoors and out and provide fun and stimulating enjoyment for canines. However, as with anything that enters a dog’s mouth, there is a risk it may not come back out!