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Why Do Dogs Love Balls So Much?

Written by Khalil
Khalil is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Sunday 11 April 2021
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
why do dogs love balls so much
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It brings happiness to any pet parent to see their furry companion having fun playing fetch. But, toy balls can become an addiction for your pup. Even dogs that do not care much for playing fetch find tennis balls intriguing. It is a strange phenomenon. And, it must make you wonder why do dogs love balls so much.

Well, continue to read on to discover the reason for your pet’s fascination with toy balls for dogs. Moreover, you will also learn whether your pet companion should be allowed to indulge in this frivolous activity. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

The Root Cause

Dogs have not always been domesticated. In earlier times, dogs were hunters using their predatory instincts to survive. These instincts may have dulled over the years. But, at an elemental level, dogs still find the process of eyeing, chasing, and grabbing to be second nature to them. Now, your doggy may be mild-tempered in general, but one look at a tennis ball is enough to make it hyper. There must be a reason for this marvel. You see, specific triggers entice the primary impulse in a dog.

It is your dog’s nature to stalk, chase, and kill. Nothing mimics the desperate prey behavior better than a tennis ball. It sounds confusing, right? Allow us to elaborate. When prey is hunted, it is in a panic. Its movements are sporadic and jumpy. If you throw a tennis ball, it looks like a small prey in flight. It is all over the place – fast, irregular, and tiny. And, even its bright color is one of the reasons why dogs love balls.

Hence, your tiny-sized bud, or a colossal doggy will start bouncing up and down at the prospect of playing fetch. Such behavior does not mean that your dog is now dangerous. Your pet needs to serve up to its instinctual drive. Thus, even a pretend prey will suffice.

What Makes Balls Attractive?

There are particular features of any ball that work as triggers for your doggy. These triggers activate the urge in dogs to give chase. Yet, it is vital to understand the response of your pet towards a dog ball toy.

Color

The more vibrant the color, the easier it becomes to detect. Many pet lovers claim that dogs dislike the yellow color. It is nothing more than a fallacy. Dogs can see neon colors more clearly, particularly neon yellow and blue.

Thus, the obsession with dogs for tennis balls becomes easy to comprehend. Dog tennis balls come in neon yellow. So, it makes sense that dogs find them irresistible.

Shape

When you talk of shapes of objects and the compulsive attitude of dogs towards them, you enter into the field of the unknown. You see, animal behavioralists have not yet been able to explain why dogs tend to be attracted to all things circular. Dogs love balls, frisbees, and even tires. All these things share a feature, their shape.

Tennis balls are more aerodynamically efficient because of a circular, slightly-tapered shape. In simple words, the circular shape of the balls allows them to reduce air drag and to go through the air faster. And, most pet parents will vouch for their dog’s love for a good run.

When you combine the two favorite pastimes of dogs, running and chasing, you wind up a tad bit of an obsession.

Hardness/Consistency

No pet parent alive is oblivious to their pet’s natural inclinations. Cats love to scratch. Dogs love to chew. You will not ever find cats obsessed with balls. But, dogs love balls as they can make the ultimate chewable toys, too.

The hard, flexible consistency of the ball allows it to be bouncy. It is this very feature that adds more charm to the tennis ball for a dog. Tennis balls do not easily break apart, come in colors your pet can detect, and are bouncy—all of which combined, make tennis balls the ultimate dog toy.

hardness of dog balls
Tennis balls do not easily break apart!

Kinds of Balls

Speaking of balls, you will find that pet stores are full of balls in different sizes, textures, and quality. As a matter of fact, companies have even introduced chewable toy balls for dogs that are entirely edible and come in a variety of different flavors. Let’s take a closer look at the different kinds of balls.

Natural Rubber Balls

As mentioned earlier, dog balls come in a variety of shapes and sizes. But, even the pricing and quality grade of dog toy balls tends to vary. The bouncier the ball, the more your canine is bound to adore it. Hence, manufacturers give priority to rubber. Yet, as pet parents, we don’t want these balls to have toxic, synthetic materials that may create health issues for our lovely pets.

Hence, the market now holds plenty of toy balls for dogs made of natural rubber. Yet, it is a must for you to double-check if the product you’re buying for your pup is 100% toxic-free.

Specialized Rubber Balls

Dogs sure do love specialized rubber balls. Let’s talk about the best dog balls for fetch. ChuckIt and Kong are well-renowned brands that manufacture specialized rubber balls. Designed to provide the most fun with superior quality materials to ensure interactive play for your dog as well as its well-being.

Tennis Balls

Tennis balls aren’t made for dogs. The material used for manufacturing tennis balls is not durable. Thus, it is a safety hazard for your pet. Also, it is of an abrasive quality that is bad for your dog’s buccal health.

A dog tennis ball is a different ball game. Designed to please the most ardent chewers, these tennis balls are non-abrasive. And, the quality is far more durable. As these tennis balls are specially designed for dogs, they’re supposed to last rigorous hours of chewing.

Why Do Dogs Love Balls So Much – FAQs

Still have some lingering tennis-ball related queries? Read on and discover more!

Can dogs get addicted to balls? Is there a way to stop it?

Dogs can get addicted to toy balls. And, yes, there is a way to stop it. The simplest way to prevent an obsession with your dog is to create a routine. You have to provide many alternative toys that would engage your dog’s interest. Moreover, give your fair share of time to your canine. If your dog loves its balls, it loves you more. And if you give it your time and attention, the ball will no longer be a priority.
Yet, try keeping it out of your dog’s sight. Remember, out of sight is out of mind.

What are the benefits of my dog playing with balls?

It is your responsibility to provide for your dog’s needs. Regular exercise, fun, and dental care are all essential. And, if you can get a toy ball that helps you achieve all three in one go, why not?

There are products out there that serve as toy balls but even have features that provide dental care, as well.

Aside from balls, what other types of toys do dogs love?

The thing about dogs being active animals is that they’re always ready for some action. And, they love spending time with their owners. So, playtime for canines is Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving – all rolled into one. This is also why most dogs aren’t picky about the toys they play with. Still, some all-time doggy favorites include bone-chew toys, frisbees, rope toys, etc.

Most doggy toys are multi-functional, for example, bone chew toys keep your puppy busy, but at the same time it helps maintain your pet’s dental health. These multi-functional pet toys are the rage among dog owners.

Why should I counter ball obsession?

Obsessions are bad for humans and canines alike. When your dog becomes obsessed with its toy ball, it projects attributes that are harmful to its well-being as well as yours. Dogs tend to get aggressive when someone approaches their favorite toy ball. They tend to stress out more, and that leads to severe health problems. So, it’s smart to be proactive and save your addicted dog with a little perseverance and love.

What if my dogs lose interest in fetch?

Not all dogs love to fetch. Some fluffballs enjoy loitering in the sun more than chasing after balls. That’s why it’s okay to let your dog do its thing. But, your doggo must get its daily dose of exercise. So, you could try taking your furry friend for long walks.

Canines love spending time with their humans—and if that time includes balls and playing fetch, that’s even better. However, even if your pooch isn’t too interested in playing with balls, don’t sweat it. Instead, try out some of the interactive pet toys available on the market for your little brainiac.

You only need to keep a close eye on your pets to detect any signs of toy obsession. If you feel that your pet is getting addicted, your immediate action and care will revert your pet to its previous healthy habits.

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