Are Tennis Balls Bad for Dogs? Teeth, Choking Risk and Safer Fetch

For supervised fetch with an intact ball that's the right size, mostly no. As something your dog chews on for hours, yes, a bit.

Tennis balls were made for rackets, not jaws, and they cause three kinds of trouble. The felt wears teeth. A ball can lodge in the throat. And a torn ball gets swallowed in pieces. National Fetch Day, a promotion started by a dog-toy company, comes round in mid-October, so it's a good moment to look at what the evidence says about each one.

The short answer surprised us. Veterinary dentists agree the fuzz wears teeth, but nobody has measured how much. The risks with harder data behind them are the throat, the gut, and the dog that can't stop playing.

Do tennis balls really wear down dogs' teeth?

The University of Pennsylvania's veterinary dentistry service says tennis balls "are very abrasive to teeth because they collect tiny particles of dirt and sand and will wear down the teeth and occasionally cause pulp exposure" (Penn Vet, Ryan Hospital, Dentistry & Oral Surgery, 2026). Pulp exposure means the wear has reached the living tissue inside the tooth.

Other veterinary dentists say the same. A veterinarian on the University of Illinois dentistry service puts it simply: "Choosing a smooth ball over an abrasive tennis ball or a rubber toy over an antler are some examples" of reducing the risk (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, It's Time to Get Your Pet's Teeth Cleaned, 2018). The Animal Medical Center in New York says the fuzz "is very abrasive and can wear down tooth enamel over time," and that "AMC's board certified dentists recommend your dog play with fuzz-less tennis balls instead" (The Animal Medical Center, Dogs and Tennis Balls: It's Not Always a Match, 2020). The American Kennel Club quotes a board-certified veterinary dental specialist who warns that "accumulated dirt and sand increases the abrasive quality of the ball" (AKC, Are Tennis Balls Safe for Dogs?, 2022).

What none of them has is a measurement. We searched the veterinary literature for any study of tennis balls, felt or ball toys and dog tooth wear, with or without sand, and found none. A 2026 study by veterinary dentists says so about tooth wear in general: "There is lack of veterinary literature in tooth wear and its consequences." (Han et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2026). The American Veterinary Dental College has no position statement on tennis balls.

Sources: Penn Vet (2026); University of Illinois (2018); The Animal Medical Center (2020); AnnArbor.com (2011); Han et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2026).

Your vet would call this kind of wear "abrasion". The American Veterinary Dental College's definition reads: "Abrasion (AB): Tooth wear caused by contact of a tooth with a non-dental object" (AVDC, AVDC Nomenclature).

Which dogs are most at risk of worn teeth?

The PDSA, a UK veterinary charity, says the coating's wear "is more likely in dogs that often chew or carry balls" (PDSA, How to choose a safe ball for your dog). The Illinois dentistry service adds: "Larger breed dogs are more prone to problems related to wear and crown fractures."

That points to a simple rule. A tennis ball is a fetch toy, not a chew toy. The dog that lies on the lawn grinding a ball for an hour is the one dentists worry about, especially if the ball has been rolling around a beach. When the game ends, put the ball away.

Don't swing too far the other way, though. Rock-hard balls bring a different risk. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center quotes a dentistry professor: "Fractured teeth are commonly caused by chewing very hard objects." Most veterinary dentists use "the"thumbnail test" for chewing items," it adds. "They suggest that you should be able to make a dent in the item with your fingernail" (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Risks from a fractured tooth).

Can a dog choke on a tennis ball?

Yes. The PDSA's first-aid guide is blunt: "Choking is a serious life-threatening problem that needs immediate action." It lists balls first among "common choke risks" (PDSA, First aid for choking, 2020). The AKC adds a warning about split balls: "Sometimes, one-half of the tennis ball can get lodged in the back of their throats, blocking the airway."

The way you throw matters. Ireland's Blue Cross, an animal charity that runs vet clinics, explains: "When a ball is caught at speed, it can slip to the back of the mouth and become lodged in the throat, blocking the airway. This is a veterinary emergency and can quickly become life-threatening" (Blue Cross Ireland, Are Tennis Balls Safe for Dogs?, 2026). The PDSA's advice is direct: "Do not throw toys and food to be caught in mid-air, always aim for them to be picked-up from the ground."

Size matters too. The Animal Medical Center warns that small tennis balls made for little dogs shouldn't go to big ones "because they could easily be swallowed." The sources disagree on how far to take it. Blue Cross says of large dogs: "we would strongly advise against using tennis balls for them at all." The AMC and AKC say supervise, check the ball and throw away torn ones. Our view, and it's only that: for a big dog, a standard tennis ball is close to the size limit, so supervise every game or use a bigger ball.

Choking can do harm even after the object comes out. A UK series of 35 dogs that developed fluid on the lungs after an airway blockage found: "The most common cause of NPPE was accidental choking (40% of cases)." Most were puppies (Herrería-Bustillo et al., Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2022). The study doesn't say what the dogs choked on. It's still a reason to have a vet check a dog that has truly choked, even if it seems fine afterwards.

What should you do if your dog is choking on a ball?

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists the signs: "Choking signs include coughing, drooling, gagging, pawing at the mouth, or holding the mouth open and being agitated. Do not put your fingers into your pet's mouth, because you might get bitten" (Merck Veterinary Manual, What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency, 2025).

Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual (2025); PDSA, First aid for choking (2020); Rubio et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice (2010).

1. Keep your fingers out of a conscious dog's mouth. A choking dog may panic and bite.

2. Try to dislodge it. Merck says you "can try to dislodge the object by thumping the animal between the shoulder blades or applying several quick compressions on both sides of the rib cage at the same time." The PDSA's version: "Lay your pet on their side. Place both hands on the side of your pet's rib cage. Push quickly and firmly or strike the rib cage with the flat of your hand three to four times."

3. Call your vet if that doesn't work. "If you are unable to dislodge the object, call your vet straight away for an emergency appointment," says the PDSA. Merck lists "Trouble breathing" among emergencies needing immediate veterinary care.

What happens if a dog swallows pieces of a tennis ball?

Old, worn tennis balls "can easily break apart and be ingested by overly eager pups," says the Animal Medical Center, which has published an image of an intact tennis ball in a Labrador's stomach. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains why that's serious: "Large, round objects often result in complete obstruction," and "GI obstruction should be treated as an emergency" (Merck Veterinary Manual, Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals, 2025).

Some dogs are more likely to do it. Merck's pet-owner manual notes: "Young, large-breed dogs are more likely to have an obstruction caused by eating a foreign object. Many dogs with a history of eating inappropriate objects continue that practice even after having experienced discomfort in the past" (Merck Veterinary Manual, Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs). Chasing a dog that has a ball makes it worse: the AKC says it "increases the chance they'll swallow the object to prevent you from getting it first" (AKC, How to Teach Your Dog to Drop It, 2026).

Source: Di Palma et al., Animals 12(11):1376 (2022), 72 dogs in Naples, Italy. 'Ball' includes all types of ball.

Balls aren't rare in the data. In a 2022 series of 72 dogs that needed swallowed objects removed, balls made up 8% of cases, level with socks (Di Palma et al., Animals, 2022). That figure covers all kinds of ball, not tennis balls alone. Children's toys topped the list at 14%, followed by metal objects and coins (13%) and cloth (13%). Plastic matched balls and socks at 8%, then came peach stones (7%), fishhooks (6%), sewing needles and hair ties (4% each), pacifiers and plant material (3% each), and other objects (9%).

The PDSA lists the signs to watch for: "Vomiting after swallowing toy pieces", "Lethargy" and "Loss of appetite", and its urgency line is clear: "If your dog is choking, struggling to breathe or has swallowed pieces of a damaged toy, contact your vet immediately." Don't try to make your dog vomit up a ball at home. Our post on warning signs your pet is sick covers what to watch for in the days after.

Are tennis balls toxic?

You'll read online that tennis balls contain lead. That claim traces back to a 2009 consumer-group screen of pet products, and we couldn't find the original data. Second-hand reports of it disagree on the figures, the products tested are 17 years old, and no veterinary source has followed it up. The "chemical burns from tennis balls" story is a 2018 social media post that Snopes rated "Unproven" (Snopes, Are Tennis Balls Toxic to Dogs?, 2018).

The honest answer is that chemicals in dog toys are barely studied. One 2013 lab study found that plastic training bumpers leached BPA and phthalates into artificial saliva, and concluded that "toys and training devices are potential sources of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in pet dogs" (Wooten and Smith, Chemosphere, 2013). It didn't test tennis balls or any effect on dogs' health. We'd rather tell you it's unknown than repeat a scare.

Why is my dog obsessed with the ball?

In a 2025 study at the University of Bern, researchers recruited dogs with an extreme drive for toys and found that "33 subjects exhibited behaviours consistent with addictive-like tendencies, including an excessive fixation on toys, reduced responsiveness to alternative stimuli, and persistent efforts to access toys" out of 105 (Mazzini et al., Scientific Reports, 2025). In testing, those dogs often prioritised getting to a toy "over eating or interacting with the owner."

That one-in-three figure needs its caveat, which the authors give themselves: "we specifically sought dogs exhibiting extreme behaviour; thus, this proportion is not a reflection of the general population." Working breeds were overrepresented. An independent addiction researcher told The Guardian that "at this stage of the research, it is difficult to use this study to advise a dog owner" (The Guardian, Some dogs may be addicted to toys, study finds, 2025).

So don't label a ball-mad dog as having a disorder. VCA's veterinary behaviourists describe a compulsive disorder as "a behavior is repeated frequently enough to be disruptive to a dog's daily routine," and their advice for repetitive behaviour applies here: "Importantly, do not scold your dog for engaging in repetitive behavior." Instead, "you can teach an alternative calming behavior, such as a quiet settle on a mat" (VCA Animal Hospitals, Compulsive Disorders in Dogs). The Merck Veterinary Manual adds that a compulsive disorder is "a diagnosis of exclusion," which only your vet can make (Merck Veterinary Manual, Behavior Problems of Dogs, 2025).

In practice: build breaks into the game. The PDSA's suggestion: "Let them walk, sniff or carry the ball in between times." End each session by trading the ball for a treat, so it goes away rather than becoming the next obsession. If your dog won't eat, rest or respond to you while a ball is out of reach, ask your vet about a referral to a veterinary behaviourist.

Is fetch bad for dogs?

No. Fetch is good exercise and good fun, and our guide to teaching a dog to fetch (and to drop it) covers how to play it well. The risks are about how much and how hard. In UK veterinary records, exertion triggered 74.2% of canine heatstroke cases, and the PDSA warns: "Some dogs will keep chasing and fetching even when they are tired or too hot."

VCA's behaviourists advise avoiding "games that incorporate very fast stops, fast changes of direction at speed," and keeping growing puppies off hard-surface running (VCA Animal Hospitals, Dog Behavior and Training: Play and Exercise). A Labrador that wobbles or collapses during retrieving needs a vet. That's a known inherited condition, and retrieving is the activity most often linked to it.

Throw low and away from your dog's face, too. In a Cornell review of 18 eye injuries from thrown balls in dogs over 17 years, tennis balls and other light toy balls caused 5, while small, dense balls such as golf balls caused the worst (Chan and Ledbetter, Veterinary Ophthalmology, 2022).

What's a safer ball for fetch?

The PDSA's checklist is the clearest we found. A ball "should be large enough that your dog cannot fit the whole thing into their mouth," should contain "at least one open hole to prevent suffocation if swallowed," and the final item on its checklist reads: "Doesn't contain any squeakers as these can be chewed or swallowed."

Put together with the dental advice:

• Big enough that it can't fit wholly in your dog's mouth.

• A hole right through the middle, so air can pass if it lodges. A hollow ball sealed with a single opening is the type that can trap a tongue.

• Smooth rubber rather than felt, as the Illinois and AMC dentists suggest, but soft enough to dent with a thumbnail.

• A rope ball for big or enthusiastic dogs. Blue Cross notes that balls on a rope "can be retrieved quickly if they slip too far back in the mouth."

• Retire balls that are torn, split or caked in sand.

• One ball, thrown low and along the ground, and put away when the game ends.

If you play at the park, keep your own ball in play, and see our guide to dog park etiquette before sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to let my dog chew on a tennis ball?

It's best not to make it a habit. Veterinary dentists at Penn and Illinois say the felt is abrasive, and the PDSA says wear is more likely in dogs that often chew or carry balls. Chewing also splits balls, and in one series of 72 dogs, balls made up 8% of swallowed objects removed. Use it for fetch, then put it away.

Why do vets say tennis balls are bad for dogs?

For three reasons. Veterinary dentists say the felt wears teeth, especially with sand in it. Balls are a common choke risk, according to the PDSA. And worn balls break apart and get swallowed, which Merck says can cause a complete blockage. Supervised fetch with an intact, right-sized ball is a much smaller risk than an unsupervised chew.

What size ball is safe for my dog?

One your dog can't fit wholly in its mouth, with a hole through it so air can pass if it lodges, as the PDSA advises. The Animal Medical Center warns against giving big dogs the small balls sold for little dogs. A ball on a rope is easier to pull out quickly, according to Blue Cross.

How do I stop my dog's ball obsession?

Build breaks into the game: the PDSA suggests letting your dog walk, sniff or carry the ball between throws. End sessions by trading the ball for a treat, and don't scold. If your dog can't eat, rest or respond while a ball is out of reach, ask your vet. In one 2025 study, 33 of 105 dogs recruited for extreme toy drive showed addictive-like behaviour.

Can a dog choke on a tennis ball?

Yes. The PDSA lists balls among common choke risks, and Blue Cross says a ball caught at speed can lodge in the throat, which is a veterinary emergency. Throw low so your dog picks the ball up from the ground, use a ball too big to swallow, and learn Merck's rib-cage compression steps.

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