Why Do Dogs Love Tennis Balls So Much? A Complete Guide

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Plus, expert advice on how to keep playtime safe
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A dog might be man’s best friend, but a dog’s best friend may just be a tennis ball. Most dogs seem to go wild for tennis balls, but is there a reason for their love? If you’ve been curious about this funny phenomenon, keep reading! In this article, we’ll go over all the reasons why dogs love tennis balls. We also spoke with certified dog trainers to learn how to safely play with tennis balls and get some suggestions for other fun games to play besides fetch.

Why Dogs Love Tennis Balls

Tennis balls are small and move erratically, which triggers your dog’s prey drive to chase and catch them. The size and fuzzy texture of tennis balls also feel good in your dog’s mouth, making them fun to catch and chew on. Plus, they trap odors really well, which makes them exciting to sniff.

Section 1 of 4:

Reasons Dogs Love Tennis Balls

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  1. 1
    Tennis balls activate a dog’s prey drive. Dogs have a natural predatory instinct to chase after and catch things they see as prey. Their prey drive comes from their wolf ancestors, who are skilled hunters and retrievers. It just so happens that a tennis ball is the perfect toy to trigger a dog’s instincts: it’s small, slightly fuzzy, and bounces around erratically, just like a smaller animal would. [1]
    • All dogs have a prey drive, but some breeds might have a stronger one than others. For instance, dogs bred to hunt and retrieve, like hounds and retrievers, might be more prone to chasing after a tennis ball. [2]
  2. 2
    Tennis balls are the perfect size, shape, texture, and softness. Tennis balls are beloved by most dogs because they stimulate their senses so well. The medium size and round shape allow them to fit in most dogs' mouths, making them a great toy to retrieve and chew. They’re also slightly fuzzy, which feels good in a lot of dogs’ mouths, and they’re not overly soft or hard, which makes them fun to pick up and gnaw on.
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  3. 3
    The fuzzy texture of a tennis ball traps lots of smells. Tennis balls are covered in fuzzy felt fibers, which allows them to pick up a lot of debris and become infused with different odors. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they use their sensitive noses to learn about the world around them. Because of this, a fragrant tennis ball—whether it’s theirs or another dog’s—is very interesting and full of information for them to decode. [3]
    • In fact, lots of dogs easily find abandoned balls in dog parks and fields due to how smelly they are!
  4. 4
    Tennis balls are exciting and bouncy. Tennis balls are simply fun! They bounce up and down and easily fly through the air, making them an exciting toy most dogs can’t resist chasing. Plus, they move and bounce around erratically once they land. Their movements are thrilling and unpredictable, making each game of fetch unique and invigorating. [4]
  5. 5
    Dogs can easily spot tennis balls. Dogs see a limited spectrum of colors compared to humans, primarily viewing the world in shades of yellow and blue. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the bright, neon yellow color of a tennis ball easily gets a dog’s attention. They’re simply more visually stimulating than red or green-toned toys, which appear brownish and can blend in with the world around them. [5]
    • Blue tennis balls and toys are also visually stimulating for dogs. Aim to get your dog yellow or blue toys, as red, orange, pink, and green toys are more difficult for them to see.
  6. 6
    Tennis balls are associated with positive things, like play. Dogs learn about the world by associating different things with different emotions—this is why you train your dog to follow your commands with positive reinforcement (e.g., giving praise and treats). Dogs tend to love tennis balls so much because they’re used to seeing these balls during fun, happy times. This drives them to associate tennis balls with excitement, playtime, exercise, praise, and bonding time with their human. [6]
    • It’s important to play with your dog because they’ll associate you with fun, happy times, too! This can help strengthen your bond and build a more loving relationship.
  7. 7
    Tennis balls provide mental and physical stimulation. Dogs are smart and full of energy, so they need to exercise their minds and bodies to feel happy and stress-free. Playing fetch with a tennis ball is the perfect way to keep them satisfied! Chasing after the ball gives them a great physical workout, and focusing on the varied throws and searching for the ball when it lands gives them a great mental workout. [7]
    • Playing with your dog also keeps them fit and healthy and prevents boredom, which reduces the likelihood that they’ll engage in destructive behaviors or get into trouble.
  8. 8
    Playing with a tennis ball allows a dog to bond with their owner. Besides giving dogs a great workout, playtime is also important for establishing a loving and trusting bond with their owner. Playing with a tennis ball is fun and rewarding for dogs, which causes them to associate interactions with their owner as positive, too. Regular, daily playtime also creates structure and stability for dogs, showing them that their owner is predictable, safe, and trustworthy. [8]
  9. 9
    Chasing and retrieving a tennis ball feels rewarding. There’s also a scientific reason dogs like tennis balls: they are often associated with the release of dopamine and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones. Chasing, catching, and returning a tennis ball is exciting and rewarding, which releases dopamine and reinforces the association of tennis balls being pleasurable. [9] Exercise also releases serotonin, which further reinforces a dog’s feelings that chasing a tennis ball is fun and positive. [10]
    • The release of dopamine and serotonin also causes dogs to seek out activities they find fun and rewarding, which is why they might gravitate towards tennis balls for playtime over other toys.
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Section 2 of 4:

Are tennis balls safe for dogs?

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  1. Monitor your dog as they play with a tennis ball. Tennis balls are the de facto toy for many dogs, but they do pose a few risks. It’s important to carefully watch your dog when they’re playing with a tennis ball and to keep it out of reach when it’s not playtime. Common risks include: [11]
    • Choking hazard : Lots of dogs like to chew on and destroy tennis balls. If they swallow the smaller pieces, they can get stuck in their throat.
      • What to do : If your dog is choking , call your vet immediately. They’ll usually instruct you to reach into your dog's mouth and pull out the obstruction, or to bring your dog in. [12]
    • Teeth damage : Regularly chewing on a tennis ball can wear down your dog’s teeth. In severe cases, this can prevent your dog from eating properly.
      • What to do : If you think your dog’s teeth are damaged, take them to the vet and follow your vet’s advice for treatment.
    • Overfixation : Some dogs get obsessed with tennis balls, especially if it's the only toy they play with, leading to anxiety or destructive behaviors when the ball is put away.
      • What to do : Teach your dog to drop the ball, and reward them for being calm when you put it away. Switch up your dog’s toys to prevent an obsession from forming.
Section 3 of 4:

Safety Tips for Playing with Tennis Balls

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  1. 1
    Watch your dog while they’re playing. Since tennis balls can be a choking hazard or potentially wear down your dog’s teeth, it’s important to supervise them at all times when they’re playing with a tennis ball. Pick up the ball if your dog starts to chew on it and rip it apart. When you’re done playing, put it in a toy basket that your dog can’t reach. [13]
    • If your dog loves chewing on tennis balls, provide them with a safer toy to chew on. Dog trainer Jaimie Scott says Kong toys are a great option since they’re made of rubber, which is more difficult to destroy.
  2. 2
    Make sure the tennis ball isn’t small enough to swallow. Tennis balls, especially ones made for dogs, come in different sizes so both small and large dogs can easily play with them. Just make sure the tennis balls you’re using aren’t so small that your dog could accidentally swallow them, as this can be a serious choking hazard.
  3. 3
    Train your dog to drop the tennis ball. If you’re teaching your dog to play fetch, a key component is getting them to drop the ball so you can throw it again. Start by giving them a toy they like but aren’t overly excited about. Then, provide your dog with a treat. When they let go of the toy and eat the treat, pick it up and hide it. Simply repeat this process several times. When your dog starts to get the hang of it, add a command like “Drop it” when your dog lets go of the toy. [14]
    • Teaching your dog to drop the ball is also a useful command if you’re worried about them hiding it and chewing on it or becoming obsessed with it. This allows you to quickly grab the tennis ball and keep it away from your dog.
  4. 4
    Limit games of fetch to 15 to 30 minutes. Dogs need daily exercise and playtime to feel mentally and physically stimulated, but it’s important not to overexert them too, as this can lead to injuries. Aim to play with your dog until they’re a little tired, but not exhausted. A good time to end playtime is when their tongue starts to curl when they pant, which is a sign that they’re getting tired. [15]
    • If your dog doesn’t want to stop playing, dog trainer Belgin Altundag advises introducing another stimulus to distract them. For instance, give them a Kong toy to chew on or take them on a walk.
    • Altundag also advises that you “introduce a cue like ‘Enough’ to let the dog know the fetch time is over.” Say “Enough” when you take the ball and put it away. Then, ignore your dog’s attempts to keep playing and reward them for calming down.
    • If it still seems like your dog has lots of energy after playtime, make sure they’re getting a daily walk with ample opportunities to sniff. Dog trainer Brad Greene also suggests giving your dog mentally stimulating toys, like food puzzles , to provide an enriching energy outlet.
  5. 5
    Clean the tennis balls when they get dirty, or about once per month. While dirty tennis balls smell great to your dog, they can capture allergens and grow bacteria and mold that might make your pet sick. So, make it a habit to clean them about once per month. Let the balls soak in some dish soap and water, then give them a good scrub. Or, place the tennis balls in a laundry bag and wash them in your laundry machine on a cold, no-spin cycle. [16]
    • Simply let the tennis balls air dry when you’re done washing them. Then, they’re ready for playtime once again!
    • If a tennis ball is very worn out or falling apart, simply throw it out, as this can be a choking hazard.
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Section 4 of 4:

Other Tennis Ball Games to Play with Your Dog

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  1. Try out these other games to keep playtime fun. While playing fetch with a tennis ball is probably the most popular game to play with your dog, there are plenty of other enriching games to choose from! Use these games to break up playtime and keep your dog mentally and physically enriched:
    • DIY Food Puzzle : Get out a muffin tin and place a few treats in the bottom. Then, cover each opening with a tennis ball. Your dog will smell the treats and work to remove the tennis balls to get the tasty treats. [17]
    • Bobbing for Tennis Balls : Fill a shallow container with water and drop in a few tennis balls. Then, take the container outside and prompt your dog to catch the balls. The water will make this a bit difficult, making this a great mental game. [18]
    • Hide and Seek : Show your dog the tennis ball and let them sniff it to get excited. Then, hide the ball while they’re not looking or in a separate room. When you’re done, prompt your dog to find the ball for a fun and mentally stimulating activity. You can confine the search area to one room, or all over your house. [19]

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      References

      1. ↑ https://pbhsnaples.org/why-do-dogs-like-to-play-fetch/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-does-my-dog-not-care-about-playing-fetch/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/why-does-my-dog-sniff-everything/
      4. ↑ https://rspcavic.org/learn/7-reasons-why-dog-toys-are-so-important/
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-see-color/
      6. ↑ https://rspcavic.org/learn/7-reasons-why-dog-toys-are-so-important/
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-playtime-do-dogs-need/
      8. ↑ https://rspcavic.org/learn/7-reasons-why-dog-toys-are-so-important/
      9. ↑ https://www.clareteachingdogs.com/post/talking-about-dopamine
      1. ↑ https://pbhsnaples.org/why-do-dogs-like-to-play-fetch/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/are-tennis-balls-safe-for-dogs/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-choking-dog-heimlich-instructions/
      4. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/are-tennis-balls-safe-for-dogs/
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teaching-your-dog-to-drop-it/
      6. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/playing-ball-safely
      7. ↑ https://tennisservetypes.com/wash-tennis-balls/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/Mfl6R_pbQdY?si=Rt4m0-iWRoFz9nIU&t=48
      9. ↑ https://pridebites.com/blogs/barking-post-blog/5-new-tennis-ball-games-to-try-with-your-dog
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/eyWv4djhA44?si=i_fRvJSQq9uXet99&t=32

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