Balls are one of the most common dog toys out there. Simple, familiar, and for many dogs…a bit of an obsession. For owners, they feel like a pretty safe default. Easy to throw. Easy to carry. Job’s a good ‘un.

But…not all balls are created equal I’m afraid, and the risks need to be taken into account. They’re about physics, anatomy and how dogs interact with objects using their mouths and bodies.

This isn’t a piece about banning balls (there’d be an uprising from all Colchester dogs!). It’s about understanding the risks so you can make more informed choices rather than accidental ones.

Balls and choking risk: the size problem

The biggest safety issue with balls is also the simplest…size.

A ball that is too small for a dog’s mouth can slip further back than expected. In some cases, it can become lodged at the back of the throat, blocking the airway. Any ball that can compress, deform or sit fully behind the canine teeth carries a choking risk. And sadly, this is much more common than you think.

What catches a lot of people out is that dogs don’t interact with balls delicately. They bite, crush and reposition them in their mouths. A ball that looks ‘fine’ when held in your hand can behave very differently once it’s under pressure from a dog’s jaw.

As a general rule of thumb, if a ball can fit fully behind your dog’s canine teeth, it’s too small.

It’s worth clueing yourself up on what to do if your dog is choking – it could be lifesaving. The PDSA website has lots of handy first aid guides, you can find the choking one here.

Why some balls are riskier than others

Material matters just as much as size.

Soft or compressible balls are more likely to deform under pressure, increasing the chance of them slipping back into the throat. Smooth, solid balls with no airflow are also riskier if they do become stuck, because they can form a seal that blocks breathing and there’s no chance of you being able to dislodge them if they’re slippery with saliva.

This is where design matters. Balls with holes, open centres or air channels allow airflow even if the ball becomes lodged. That doesn’t make them choke-proof by any stretch of the imagination, but it does add a crucial margin for safety.

It’s also why novelty balls and children’s balls often cause problems. They aren’t designed for a dog’s mouth. You wouldn’t give a toddler a toy intended for a 10-year old – you know it hasn’t been designed with a very young child’s safety in mind. So, please don’t give your dog a ball that was never made for them.

Tennis balls: a specific set of issues

Tennis balls deserve their very own special mention, because they combine several risks in one very common toy. I know they’re cheap and cheerful, but they’re really not great for dogs.

For a start, the felt outer layer is abrasive. It’s purposely tough to survive courts and rackets, but it’s also a grit-magnet. The abrasiveness of the material coupled with the dirt it then retains turns it into a massive scouring pad for a dog’s teeth. Over time, repeated biting and carrying can wear down tooth enamel. This of course happens gradually, which is why many owners don’t link dental issues back to tennis balls at all.

Tennis balls are also highly compressible. Strong-jawed dogs can squeeze them smaller than expected, increasing choking risk compared to firmer, size-appropriate rubber balls.

This of course isn’t about the occasional throw, it’s about repeated use over time, which is exactly how most dogs interact with tennis balls.

Ball throwers and how they change movement

I’m sorry, I know so many people love a ball thrower. But they’ve definitely been designed for human convenience over dog wellbeing. Ball throwers don’t just make balls travel further. They change the nature of the game.

Long throws encourage repeated sprinting at full speed, abrupt stopping, sharp turns, and leaping into the air from a standstill. Dogs don’t warm up, pace themselves, or even stop when they’re tired if the reward is high enough.

That repetitive, high-impact movement places strain on joints, muscles and the spine. Over time, this can contribute to wear and injury, particularly in their shoulders, elbows, backs and hips.

This doesn’t mean ball throwers are inherently ‘bad’, it just means they’re a tool that needs to be used thoughtfully, not endlessly.

Remember, constant ball throwing doesn’t ‘tire’ your dog out.

Safer ball choices and smarter swaps

If your dog enjoys balls, I’m certainly not lecturing you to remove them (I’d be in trouble!). I just want to help people be aware of better options. Because pet shops sell tennis balls, balls with no airholes and ball throwers, it’s natural to presume they’re safe. Why wouldn’t you? But that’s not necessarily the case.

So, instead, look for balls that are clearly too large to fit fully inside your dog’s mouth. Solid rubber balls without a felt coating are kinder on teeth. Textured or slightly spiky designs are often easier to grip without crushing down hard.

Open or holey balls provide airflow if they do become stuck and are a sensible choice for dogs who love carrying toys. Rope-handled balls can reduce frantic snatching and make retrieval calmer and more controlled.

How you play matters too. Shorter throws, rolling rather than launching and building in pauses all help to reduce physical strain. Mixing ball play with sniffing, exploration or search games often results in a more settled, fulfilled dog than endless chasing ever does.

No balls for me!

Personally, I don’t use balls on my dog walks. Not because I think balls are wrong, and not because I think owners who use them are doing anything badly, but because I want dogs to get their enrichment from their environment when they’re with me.

Sniffing, exploring, making choices and moving at a natural pace all support a dog’s wellbeing without the repetitive physical load that constant ball throwing can bring. It also helps dogs regulate their arousal levels, rather than staying ‘switched on’ all the time.

That approach won’t suit every dog in every context, but understanding the risks around balls will allow you to decide what’s appropriate for your own dog.

The takeaway – balls can stay

Balls are a normal part of many dogs’ lives, but the risks around them aren’t widely talked about, which is why so many owners are unaware of them.

Understanding how size, material and play style affect safety makes it much easier to make small changes that protect your dog’s teeth, airways and joints without sucking the fun out of things.

It’s never about perfection, it’s just about informed choices.