We all love seeing our dogs joyfully chase a ball but did you know that repetitive ball throwing poses a significant risk to your dog’s health?

Handy ball throwers make throwing easy and allow owners to believe they can give their dog more beneficial exercise than would have otherwise been possible.

As a Canine Physiotherapist, I actually recommend against repetitive ball throwing. Here’s why it isn’t always the best for your dog’s long-term health:

Injury Risk:

High-speed ball chases often lead to sudden accelerations, decelerations, stops, sharp turns, and stretches. This puts immense strain on your dog’s joints, ligaments, and muscles (shoulders, elbows, hips, wrists, and toes), increasing the risk of injuries like cruciate tears, sprains, and early arthritis. Repeated ball chasing will lead to repetitive strain injuries, producing microtraumas within joints, leading to a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Over-exercising:

During a repetitive game of fetch with a ball, it’s common for dogs to get much more intense exercise than they’re truly conditioned for. Dogs will often keep chasing a ball when physically tired, increasing the risk of injury.

Increased adrenaline levels from the excitement of chasing a ball can also mask the onset of pain, which can exacerbate injuries.
In periods of hot weather, there is also the added possibility of developing life‑threatening hyperthermia.

Developing obsessive-compulsive type behaviours:

For some dogs, this constant high‑adrenaline play can become an unhealthy obsession, contributing to over‑arousal and behavioural issues.

What to do for a ball‑loving dog?

• Vary the game: Mix in games of hide‑and‑seek with the ball, let your dog carry the ball on a walk, do scent work exercises which stimulate both body and mind, or a game of tug to offer more balanced exercise.
• Allow your dog time to warm and cool down: Warm‑up and cool‑down periods are essential to prepare your dog’s body for the demands of exercise and aid in recovery, respectively, by gradually increasing or decreasing physiological arousal and blood flow.
• Keep it short: If you must play fetch with a ball, keep the sessions brief and integrated with other activities. It should not be the principal form of exercise for your dog.

Ultimately, as a physiotherapist, I want your dog to have a long, healthy, and pain‑free life.
Opting for safer, more varied play will keep your dog happy, fit, and in top shape.