Dogs naturally interact with objects using their mouths. One common visitor is a tennis ball! 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! Some dogs love to chew. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stick or even something touted as “safe,” like pig ears or rawhides. If your pup is a chewer, then it won’t be long before tennis balls may be the next victim of your dog’s chewing tendencies.
The issue is that tennis balls can break down with repeated use. They then start to shed bits of fuzzy surface or rubber which are even easier to swallow. This can cause harmful effects on your pup and may even cause a bowel obstruction, which may be life-threatening. Continue reading to find out what to do and when you need to call your local veterinarian.
Is it OK if my dog eats tennis ball fuzz?
Dogs with powerful jaws like hers can easily break tennis balls in their mouths. This can lead to serious choking hazards. … Some dogs enjoy shredding the yellow-green fuzz that surrounds the tennis ball. Eating this fuzz can lead to choking hazards and intestinal blockages that could require surgery.
Can a dog get sick from eating a tennis ball?
If your dog ate a tennis ball and is reacting adversely, contact your local veterinarian immediately. Dogs naturally interact with objects using their mouths. One common visitor is a tennis ball! … This can cause harmful effects for your pup, and may even cause a bowel obstruction, which may be life-threatening.
Why does my dog eat fuzz?
Pica in dogs is a condition where the animal feels compelled to eat objects that are not food items. These can include metal, plastic, cloth, garbage, dirt, rocks, paper, or even feces. Usually pica is a psychological, compulsive behavior issue for dogs, but it may also result from medical issues or poor nutrition.
FAQ
Can tennis balls be toxic to dogs?
This can be fatal for your dog. The tennis ball can also break down into pieces as the dog chews, which creates a high risk that your dog will ingest those pieces. Pieces of the rubber can become lodged in the intestinal tract—which is an emergency situation.
Why does my dog eat fuzz?
