In order to encourage your four-legged friend to play fetch games you should use a specific dog toy ball. Objects like normal tennis balls are not suitable due to their rough surface. They can even be harmful to your pet’s health as dirt and sand particles collect on them that damage the pet’s enamel. Use a real dog ball instead. These include tooth-friendly tennis balls especially made for dogs. Stability: A dog ball should be bite-resistant and robust. In addition, it must be stable enough that it does not become damaged straight away when playing. Otherwise there is a risk of injury to the dog if he accidentally swallows fragments. Material: Make sure that dog balls are made of tooth-friendly, pollutant-free and easy-to-clean material. Leather balls are good but dog toys made of natural or synthetic rubber are more common. Dogs also like non-slip balls made of cord and environmentally friendly EVA foam. Size: In order for a dog to be able to play properly with the ball, the size must also be right for the dog’s breed and size.  Dogs with large mouths could swallow balls that are too small while playing, while dogs with small mouths cannot grab and retrieve them properly. Sometimes, balls are also offered specifically for dogs of certain breeds – e.g. for small Chihuahuas or for big St. Bernard’s. For example, a diameter of about seven centimetres is suitable for pugs, and for a Labrador or a Boxer, it can easily be nine centimetres. Surface texture: Some dog balls do not have a smooth surface, but instead have a knobbly or elevated structure. Balls like this are not always as good for rolling as dog balls with a smooth surface. However, they help to clean teeth when chewing and carrying around and have a massaging effect on the gums. It can make sense to use different types of dog balls. Learn more now!