Tennis Ball
SafeTennis balls are generally safe toys for dogs.
Toxicity Level
0/10Why It's Safe
Monitor for wear — the fuzzy exterior can wear down teeth over time, and torn pieces can be a choking hazard.
The Science
Tennis balls are generally safe for supervised play. The two main concerns are: (1) the abrasive felt covering can wear down tooth enamel over time, especially in dogs that compulsively chew — this is sometimes called "tennis ball mouth" and is documented by veterinary dentists, and (2) the ball itself can be compressed, and if it re-expands in the throat, it can cause choking — this is more common in larger dogs who can fit the whole ball in their mouth.
Serving Guide
Safe for supervised play and fetch. Not recommended as a long-term chew toy — use rubber chew toys instead. For large dogs (>25kg), use larger balls that cannot fit entirely in the mouth. Discard any tennis ball that starts to break apart, as ingested felt and rubber can cause GI obstruction. Always supervise ball play.