kelpiegirl Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Are there any balls out there that are safe for dog's teeth? Specifically, those that can be used with a Chuck-it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha J Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 We have used the kong squeaker balls in a chuck it, i presume they are totally dog safe. Usually mine get cheaper balls for the park though as i throw them out after every couple of times they go. I always use the kong squeaker ones inside. My two don't destroy tennis balls though so they don't digest any of them, but Holly does like to hold ones sometimes whilst she plays with another one when she is indoors. I keep my eye on their teeth and so far i don't see any wear on them with doing it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainierlass Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I only use the rubber orange Chuck-It balls with my girls - - they come 2 per pack for about $8 - - - anyone that carries the Chuck-It usually have them - I have also seen them @ Target No tennis balls for mine either! My BC has really lousy teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieDog Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I like the rubber chuckit balls - very durable, don't get all gross, and because there isn't any fur, there isn't any silica. They also have a new one that whistles that I'm thinking about getting at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha J Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I wish they sold the chuck it ones around here, i have been looking for ages to try them. They would be much better for the park as i could wash them. Will have to have a look online, we must be able to get them here somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 As one with a dog who's teeth show the damage from tennis balls, I can concur with the previous recomandations for rubber chuckit balls - worth the investment. He still gets to play with his favorite thing in the world (real tennis balls) when we go to dog parks - because they're so many around, he would dump whatever other ball we'd bring there in favor of a yucky dirt covered tennis ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha J Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 He still gets to play with his favorite thing in the world (real tennis balls) when we go to dog parks - because they're so many around, he would dump whatever other ball we'd bring there in favor of a yucky dirt covered tennis ball. This is what i can imagine my two doing, i am still going to try and get hold of some though as they are better for them and i can clean them. We haven't got a dog park but where we go a lot of dogs go, this is a public park for all but there is always someone who doesn't clean up after their own dog... which is partly the reason i chuck so many balls out after we go there. I do wonder though on the teeth thing whether it is just some dogs who have stronger teeth or is it because they chew the balls more and that causes the damage. I had never thought about it until i joined this board and Holly was already using tennis balls then. I have kept a check on her since and can't see any worn bits. I don't know whether it is because we mostly use the kong ones and they are better than an ordinary tennis ball or she and Zac have just been lucky and don't seem to be affected by playing with them. I know some dogs destroy them as i often see a chewed up tennis ball at the park, Holly & Zac have never done that..... yet.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Our vet recommends against normal tennis balls, as the silica content can erode a dog's teeth. There are, however, tennis balls made specifically for dogs (e.g., Air Dog). We use dog-friendly tennis balls that have squeakers built into them, as they are softer on a dog's mouth when being cvaught in the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 In my opinion it's not the tennis balls themselves, but rather all the dirt and sand and grit that they collect on a slobbery wet ball - that's what erodes the teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 There was random testing done for lead content of tennis balls. Ironically enough, the expensive tennis balls made for human games were lead free while the balls made just for pets contained lead. I use the rubber Chuckit balls as well. My dogs' favorite ball ever is the Disc-O (meteorlight) ball, but I also want to try the Chuckit that whistles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Another vote for the chuck it balls. Those things last forever, they float, they are almost impervious to dirt, mud, etc, so that they show up really well in dim light in high grass. My second favorite is Pinky balls. I've found those all over the place - drugstores in the kids' toy section, a couple times at various grocery stores. They're solid rubber and bright pink. They do last a long time, but the pink fades and unfortunately, a dog can chew one to bits. Not true with the orange chuck it balls. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 So, consensus on the kong air dog balls, is that they are safe for dogs? That's what I have- but need to replace- will get the rubber chuck-its, but he likes the squeak of the air dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I got mine a couple of the rubber Chuck-It balls and they enjoy them. We have an assortment - regular tennis balls (the human ones), racquet balls, and the rubber Chuck-It balls. They don't seem to care one way or the other and tend to pick up whatever is closest. I'm planning to get more of those at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 There is one major problem with Chuck-it balls. They get lost. I have a problem with anything made in China but then again try to find something that;s not made in china. the tennis ball contrevesy is something I'm interested in and I would really like to find a report on what balls are god or not for your dog. I'm very leary about tennis balls and Jins' teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I also wonder if different dogs had different reactions to tennis balls. My late dog Bandit was a tennis balls worst nightmare. Killing them I think was his purpose in life. Until I found this board I also did not realize there was a problem, but although Bandit was a dog who got bad tarter, his teeth were not worn down. We did not play a lot of catch, after just a few throws the tennis ball had to die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaderBug Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Oh my gosh I love the new ChuckIt! balls that whistle! No more going after the ball because Jade didn't see me throw it... she KNOWS when it's air-born! I absolutely love the whistling balls. Jade likes to squish them too... They make another ball, a green one with angles that bounces around sporadically. Haven't tried it as much as the whistlers, it doesn't fit into the thrower as nicely. The regular orange balls are fantastic as well! ChuckIt! is pretty much my favorite dog toy brand... I really love everything they make! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooky Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'm with Rachel - I LOVE the whistle chuckit balls. Those are the only kind we use. Much less going after the ball because the dog didn't see where it went. However, due to the whistle-holes, they don't float. I've fished those things out of my in-laws pool many a time. I want to try the lighted kind while it's still getting dark so early. Those sound pretty cool. Once I lost a chuckit ball at night, but to my surprise I found it again 3 weeks later, in a blackberry bramble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Just a couple of questions as we do not play fetch here...are the Chuckit balls rubber? Do they bounce or are they dead like street hockey balls? Also, the one that bounces sporadically, rubber I assume? Have you all had any injuries? Like ACL, soft tissue, shoulder, lower leg, carpal, etc..It still amazes me how many people play fetch, with a moving object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I can't speak for anyone else, but in my case, my dog leaves before the ball is thrown, runs out, turns, and waits for the ball. We have to make due, and play ball, as I don't have acreage, and my neighborhood is 100% not conducive to dog walking. Just a couple of questions as we do not play fetch here...are the Chuckit balls rubber? Do they bounce or are they dead like street hockey balls? Also, the one that bounces sporadically, rubber I assume? Have you all had any injuries? Like ACL, soft tissue, shoulder, lower leg, carpal, etc..It still amazes me how many people play fetch, with a moving object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Wouldn't it be better for your dog to wait with you, throw it, "then" let him go? Not only does he have to run after it, he also has to "find" it. But this does take training.....it's not simple mindless ball throwing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Um, well, the I don't like that version, because he "goes for it" as it lands, and rolls, and that is when dogs are most likely to get hurt.... Also, now that we play in the dark/snow, he always has to use his nose, which I like. Don't get me wrong, I have downed him, had him stay, and then thrown it, but that is when I see him be crazier. By the way, the ball doesn't always just land in front of him... It IS ME throwing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 No, you missed the part of him "staying" with you until you release him. Like I said "training" makes no matter how crazy he gets. Who is in charge here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 In my opinion it's not the tennis balls themselves, but rather all the dirt and sand and grit that they collect on a slobbery wet ball - that's what erodes the teeth. Yup, that's why I quit using any tennis type balls. It was like my dogs were fetching sandpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 We've done that We do that in doors, gates, for food, you name it. He's got good impulse control- ask his trainer No, you missed the part of him "staying" with you until you release him. Like I said "training" makes no matter how crazy he gets. Who is in charge here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegy Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Steve doesn't like the green erratic balls, and I don't really know why. I don't find that they bounce tremendously different indoors where we play. My best guess is that he doesn't like how they feel in his mouth for some reason. But he loooves the regular rubber Chuck-it balls. He also likes the medium size Orbees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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