this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2024
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Not sure who's pup this is, but I gather that nylon used in regular tennis balls can wear away at teeth over time. Please be careful with ur teeth, pup friends :(
My dog is very mouthy. He loves to lick, nip (the herder in him), and carry things in his mouth all day.
He used to have a routine of chewing a benebone in the morning and following me around while I get ready. He also chews at night. Well, unfortunately he wore out one prominent tooth and cracked so we had to get it removed.
Our vet told us nothing too hard for him because he is a frequent chewer and advised against tennis balls which he LOVES. Doggy specialized Tennis balls okay like Kong brand or Boots and Barkley or whatever the Target brand is. So you are right, normal tennis balls not recommended for dogs per our vet.
I'm sorry to hear :(
I hope your baby is doing okay today. Give them lots of hugs for us!
To be honest I was a little on the fence about the tennis balls that were advertised as safe, but they seem to be okay for now.
I think one thing which needs to be considered is that a tennis ball can have a really nasty wear pattern across many of their teeth, making it super easy for nerves to get irritated with enough time.
So can sticks, rocks, and most other things encountered in an average dog's domestic life. Better not let them out of their indoor kennel. Think of their dental health! 😶
I've not seen a dog carry rocks in their mouth very often but I don't deny it happens. Wood from twigs is generally softer than enamel, I don't think of that as much of a risk.
My dog absolutely loves tennis balls. She will walk around with the ball in her mouth all day if she could. Nylon can really wear out enamel so I get her special tennis balls like this one.
The example owner is not buying tennis balls for their dog, nor is Bear allegedly doing more than carrying said tennis balls (which may or may not even be the type you've mentioned) to and from the adjacent park(s).
Look. I'm just saying that, while your heart seems to be in the right place with the PSA, the world could do with a bit less doom & gloom seeping into an otherwise wholesome post. The image left in readers' minds, while intended to be cautionary no doubt, is of good dogs suffering neglected teeth — instead of the story above. 🙇🏽♂️🥹