Are Cricket Balls Bad for Dogs? (Tips & Warnings)

I have always marveled at how energetic and playful pet dogs are. It isn’t uncommon to see owners playing fetch with their furry friends at the park, tossing balls, Frisbees, and all manner of playthings for their dogs to fetch. Dogs naturally interact with most objects with their mouths. As is the case with anything that goes into a dog’s mouth, there’s a risk it may not come back out.

Most dogs can’t resist the chewiness of most balls, but the truth is that not all balls are safe for your dog to chew on. At this point, you’re probably wondering whether cricket balls are bad for dogs. Well, I have just the answer you are looking for.

Cricket balls pose a risk to dogs that chew them. They can cause enamel abrasion, gut obstruction, and they are a choking hazard. Also, some of the materials used to manufacture cricket balls may be harmful to your dog.

In this article, we will discuss all that relates to how safe certain balls are for your dog. So, if this piques your interest, be sure to read on because this is guaranteed to be a highly informative article for you!

Related: Can Your Dog Eat A Baseball?

Are Cricket Balls Bad for Dogs?

As we have mentioned earlier, chewing is natural for most dogs. If you observe your dog closely, you will see that he tends to chew up almost everything he comes across that interests him. This is why dogs absolutely go bonkers whenever you are playing catch with them. They just love having stuff in their mouth and chewing on them.

The most popular balls used by owners for their dogs are tennis balls. Most dogs can’t resist their rubbery chewiness and fuzzy texture. Tennis balls are commonly used for play both indoors and outdoors, and they provide fun for canines. If your dog is a chewer, then you can expect a tennis ball to be the next victim of his chewing tendencies.

But the thing is, tennis balls aren’t entirely safe for your dog. This is also the case for most other balls.

By now, you are probably wondering whether it’s okay for your dog to chew on a cricket ball. Are cricket balls bad for your dog?

Cricket balls aren’t safe for your dog. These balls can be affordable, and this may make them seem a good option for a play toy for your furry friend. However, the possible adverse health effects of a cricket ball on your dog’s health may make you want to rethink getting a cricket ball for your dog. Some of the major concerns of cricket balls as chew toys include:

1. Choking hazard– Although a bit wider than tennis balls, a cricket ball can be a choking hazard to your dog. A cricket ball can split in the back of your dog’s throat and block the airway. This can be fatal for your dog. If that happens, it’s a veterinary emergency, and you’ll have to make sure you visit the nearest vet office immediately.
2. Enamel abrasion/teeth damage– A cricket can be seemingly harmless, but the leather exterior and the sewn seam can act as a sort of sandpaper on your dog’s teeth enamel.  With excessive chewing, your dog’s teeth can be worn down in a way that will permanently affect oral health. Instead of cricket balls, you should consider purpose-designed dog toys that cannot damage the teeth.
3. Gut obstruction– Cricket balls are made of synthetic materials like rubber and string, and your dog cannot digest these. This means that if they enter the gut, they can pose the risk of bowel obstruction. The gut is often long and narrow, so it’s quite easy to get blocked. So, if your dog is chewing on a cricket ball, a piece can break off, and your dog may end up swallowing it. This may cause gut obstruction.
4. Toxic materials– Cricket balls are manufactured in large quantities all over the world.  The components used are definitely not food-grade materials for your dog. Undoubtedly, there are some chemicals used to make cricket balls. When your dog is happily chewing in a cricket ball, there’s no telling what chemicals he’s’ ingesting. These chemicals can be quite detrimental to your dog’s health over time.

So, all in all, cricket balls aren’t so safe for your dog. They can actually cause harm to your dog if you aren’t careful. Tennis balls are somewhat similar to cricket balls, so you also shouldn’t think of them as an alternative.

Are Small Balls Dangerous for Dogs?

Dogs love to chew on things, and this is why most owners have resorted to buying balls which their dogs play with. One of the most important things to do when getting a ball for your dog is considering the size. Too big, and your dog won’t be able to pick it up. Too small, and your dog may end up choking on the ball. So to answer the question, small balls are quite dangerous for dogs. They are a choking hazard. Some dogs have been known to get choked by tennis balls which are only about 2.7 inches wide.

So it’s always important to get a ball that isn’t too small for your dog; otherwise, he may end up swallowing it.

How Do You Tell if a Ball Is Too Small for Your Dog?

It usually isn’t easy to tell whether a ball is too small or big for your dog until it’s actually in your dog’s mouth. The danger that a small ball poses is actually significant. It can cause choking or internal obstruction if your dog swallows it. A big ball isn’t also ideal because your dog will struggle to pick it up. The ball should be neither too big nor too small for your dog. Most people agree that a ball that is just a bit bigger than your dog’s mouth is ideal.  

All in all, cricket balls can be dangerous to dogs. So you shouldn’t leave any of them lying around, and you definitely shouldn’t let your dog chew on one!