At Sit Now Stay Dog Training, one of the most popular questions asked is which toys are the safest for our client’s pups. We’ve repeatedly seen how much dog owners care for their beloved animals and want them to stick around for the long haul. With so many things to juggle daily, it can be hard to constantly keep an eye out for what’s in your dog’s mouth, which is why you want to guarantee that your pup’s toys are non-toxic, safe, and won’t cause a choking hazard.
While tennis balls are commonly used as dog toys, lacrosse balls are less popular because most people don’t have these lying around their houses. So, let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about lacrosse balls and discover if they’re a safe toy for your dog.
What is a Lacrosse Ball?
To give you a better understanding of a lacrosse ball, let’s compare it to a more commonly known item, a tennis ball. The most obvious difference is that a tennis ball is green with a carpet-like finish, while a lacrosse ball is white with a rubber finish. You may assume that the lacrosse ball weighs less, but they are actually almost three times as heavy as a standard tennis ball. An average lacrosse ball weighs 140 to 147 grams, while an average tennis ball weighs only 56 to 59.4 grams.
What is a Lacrosse Ball made of?
Lacrosse balls are most commonly made with a solid, vulcanized rubber mixed with other additives, though different manufacturers use various types of elastic materials, such as silicone or polyurethane. However, if you purchase a standard lacrosse ball at a reputable shop, you can expect it to be made with vulcanized rubber.
Are Lacrosse Balls Toxic?
This, of course, is what our readers want to know. Is the vulcanized rubber used to produce lacrosse balls toxic for dogs? The short answer is no, it is not toxic for dogs. Vulcanized rubber is a material regularly used for producing a shoe’s outsole and as we all know, chewing on shoes is a dog’s favorite pastime. While it’s not recommended for your dog to swallow small chunks of a lacrosse ball, they can have them in their mouths without cause for concern.
Is the Size of a Lacrosse Ball Safe for my Dog?
A standard lacrosse ball measures at least 7.75 inches but not more than 8 inches in circumference. For comparison purposes, a standard tennis ball measures between 8.09 inches to 8.48 inches, so as long your dog can safely fit a tennis ball in his or her mouth, then the same would apply to a lacrosse ball. The general rule is that the safest-sized balls for dogs to play with are the ones that are small enough to fit in their mouth but big enough to not be swallowed.
Should my Dog Chew on a Lacrosse Ball?
Dog chewing is normal behavior for your dog and is even healthy in many ways. During your puppy’s teething stage, chewing helps to relieve any teething pain. Furthermore, it can also help to strengthen and clean your dog’s teeth and gums. While it’s not unsafe for your dog to chew on a lacrosse ball, we don’t recommend you use it as the primary toy to clean your dog’s teeth and gums because the rubbery material may be too harsh and could cause damage.
If your dog gets ahold of one, don’t worry. Lacrosse balls are durable and can handle dog chewing. Still, we suggest you keep an eye out for any wear and tear on the ball. You’ll want to replace an old ball to prevent a potential choking accident.
Final Thoughts
Our conclusion is yes, lacrosse balls are indeed safe for your dogs. So, get out there and play a few rounds of fetch with your pup so you both will have a ball of a time! If your dog isn’t much of a fetcher and you’d like to look into dog training opportunities, contact Sit Now Stay for a free training consultation. Give us a call at (913) 285-8363, or book your appointment online today!
