I’m a vet – and here’s the terrifying truth about why you should NEVER let your dog play with a tennis ball

Tennis balls, pig’s ears and meaty bones are all standard items you’d expect to find in a dog’s mouth, but a vet now sheds light on why these popular puppy chew toys could cause serious harm to your beloved pooch.

The next time you toss a bright yellow tennis ball into the distance and urge your dog to race after it, consider this poignant warning from Texas-based animal expert Hunter Finn, who exposed exactly why these toys should never be used. used to entertain pups.

Hunter, who regularly shares pet care advice on his popular TikTok accountdescribed the hidden dangers of tennis balls in two now-viral videos – the first being I saw the vet draw up a list of things pet owners should never do, including giving them boiled bones, pig ears, and… the oh-so-popular tennis ball.

Hunter explained in a brief on-screen caption that “over time, the felt (on a tennis ball) is abrasive and will seriously wear down your dog’s teeth,” advising pup lovers to opt for a safer rubber ball instead .

His warning immediately sparked a flood of questions from his followers, who demanded more information about the injuries tennis balls can cause to their dogs.

Eager to spread the information far and wide, Hunter shared a second follow-up video, sharing footage of a dog’s warped teeth — noting that these kinds of injuries can cost pet owners a fortune in vet bills.

“Stop giving tennis balls to your dog,” he began the clip. “At this point, you’re probably thinking, “Dr. Finn, how can (a tennis ball) harm my dog?

“If you’re playing fetch with your dog and you toss this thing, it gets caught in saliva, dirt, and sand, basically turning into sandpaper.”

That rough surface of the tennis ball will then do serious damage to the inside of a dog’s mouth as it “spins” in it, Hunter continued.

“As that ball spins in your dog’s mouth as he plays with it, and you grab it, and it gets thrown and picked up multiple times… your dog’s is going to look like this,” he continued, describing the gruesome shared things. image.

While he admitted that the teeth “don’t always need to be removed” if they get into that condition, he urged his followers to opt for safer toys like a rubber ball or “a smoother ball” that won’t pick up dirt. or sand.

And it’s not just tennis balls that need to be thrown away, Hunter points out.

Boiled bones and pork ears are also prohibited articles as far as he is concerned.

According to the doctor, cooked bones are “a great way to spend thousands of dollars on tooth extractions if they wear down or break teeth,” while pork ears are “a great way to give your dog diarrhea and salmonella.”

“When that ball spins in your dog’s mouth… your dog’s will look like this,” he continued

Many TikTok users were shocked by the tennis ball, while others admitted to being aware based on personal experience

Many TikTok users were shocked by the tennis ball, while others admitted to being aware based on personal experience.

One user commented, “I immediately stopped using it a few years ago after my dentist told me the same thing.”

There was also a lot of shock on TikTokers about how unhealthy pig ears actually are for pets.

One TikToker commented, “Wow, my family always gives my dog ​​pig ears as a birthday present or Christmas present. always thought they were good for him.’

Finn currently has a loyal fan base of over 2 million followers and over 50 million likes on his videos where he gives advice on how to best care for your pets.

He owns it Animal Hospital Animal Method in McKinney Texas, specializing in services such as primary care, preventive treatments, surgical procedures, emergency care and dental services.

He continues to post regular videos answering common questions about pet care, especially dogs.

One of his most viewed TikTok videos discusses tips for running a successful pet store, which will be viewed over 15 million times by 2023.