Dogs always have enough energy to do fun activities or games. Daily walks are not enough mental and physical stimulation for them. That’s why you always need to find new things to enjoy with your buddy. Playing fetch can be very interesting to spend his energy. Nonetheless, I’m not sure yet if this game is good or bad for dogs.
Like any other canine activity, fetching is probably not a good exercise for every companion. Therefore, I did some research to make sure that I can play fetch with my dog safely. Let’s see what I’ve found on this awesome retrieving game especially if playing fetch can be bad for dogs?
This activity isn’t good for every companion. Playing fetch could be bad for some dogs. Carrying something in their mouths makes them switch their weights on their front legs. This extra pressure on their joints could be harmful or even injure them. Therefore, play to fetch can be bad for fragile dogs or if you use too heavy objects!
This fun activity could be good exercise or bad for dogs. It will depend on many things like their health, shape, age, etc. By the way, it isn’t the only canine sport that has risks. Every physical activity can be good or bad depending on various elements. Anyway, you will know if you can play fetch safely at the end of your reading!
Is Playing Fetch Good Bad For Dogs?
Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer to this question. Every dog has different needs and conditions. Therefore, it could be bad for one and good for another. Most of the time dogs won’t have any problem with playing fetch. However, you shouldn’t assume that this retrieving game is a good exercise for your dog!
Even if he’s active and loves that game it could be bad for your buddy. For example, Labradors are high-energy dogs that were bred to retrieve. Nonetheless, your Lab could have some health issues or structural problems that restrict him to enjoy fetching games safely! (It’s the same thing for every breed!)
Can All Dogs Play Fetch Safely?
As you probably figure out, not every dog can benefit from fetch games. Sometimes, it can be obvious that your dog isn’t suitable to enjoy retrieving activities. However, it’s often difficult to know if playing fetch is good or bad for your buddy. That’s why you should always ask your vet before changing something in your dog’s exercise routine. It’s not an emergency, but next time you see your veterinarian, you know what to ask him!
Can Playing Fetch Be Bad For Dogs?
Yes, but don’t worry. Most dogs can benefit safely from this good exercise. Even if it can be bad for some buddies, fetching games are still very safe activities. Biking, running or hiking with your dog will be riskier than playing fetch with him. Nevertheless, you should always be aware of the risks when you start any canine activity!
Being more informed will help you to avoid unnecessary dangers. For example, wood sticks can be very bad for dogs. So you should use a simple tennis ball or soft rubber toy to enjoy playing fetch more safely with your buddy. Let’s see what are the dangers of fetch games!
Risks And Dangers Of Fetch Games!
Normally, the risks of dog sports can be caused by two things. First, your furball can simply not be suitable because of specific conditions or restrictions. Second, you could use the wrong gear or don’t know the safest way to enjoy this sport. Therefore, you can prevent most dangers by simply knowing the right way to fetch. Here are some risks of playing fetch that you can avoid!
- Choking. (Sticks)
- Bleeding. (Sticks)
- Infections. (Sticks)
- Splinters. (Sticks)
- Pressure On Joints.
- Too Vigorous Activity.
- Over-Exercising.
- Etc.
These dangers are rarely known by dog owners. In extreme cases, fetching with sticks can cause serious injuries, pain or even the death of your companion. Fortunately, it’s easy to drastically decrease the risks of this fun activity by using balls or soft rubber toys instead of wood sticks. Besides that, playing to fetch safely is only common sense!
Playing Fetch With Some Specific Dogs Can Be Bad!
Even if this game is normally awesome for dogs, it’s not always the case. Playing to fetch could be bad for your buddy with specific conditions. His health, age, structure, and many other elements will be important to know what type of activity could be good for him. Here are some things that could make fetching games bad for your buddy!
Does His Breed Matters?
Many people will think that the breed could restrict their dogs to play fetch. Even if this element can be very interesting to analyze in most dog sports, play to fetch can be a good exercise for every breed. Normally, active dogs such as Labradors or Collies are better at this activity than Bulldogs or Basset Hounds. However, you shouldn’t restrict your dog to play fetch only because of his breed!
Health Is Always Essential!
As a dog owner, your buddy’s health should always be your priority. Unhealthy companions should stick with activities such as walking or anything else recommended by your vet. Some medical restrictions could cause problems to enjoy fetch games safely. However, your buddy doesn’t need to be extremely athletic or in shape to exercise with retrieve balls or toys. Just make sure that you always respect his limits and conditions!
Be Careful Before To Fetch With These Dogs!
This activity can be bad for some specific types of canines. Nonetheless, there’s nearly always a solution to adapt this sport to provide your dog with good exercise. Therefore, it’s important to know what your dog’s physical and health conditions are. That way you will know which activities are safe or not for him. Here are some pooches that you should be very careful with before to do too intense sports!
Overweight Companions.
It might seem strange to not do intense activities with obese dogs, but it makes sense. Their physical conditions aren’t very interesting to fetch anyway. You should maybe start with slow and easy exercise types to not hurt or injure him. After some physical conditioning with more walks or giving more playtime to your dog, he could start to enjoy more frequent and intense exercise. Be careful to not fetch with your buddy if he is not ready for that kind of physical activity!
Dogs With Structural Issues.
Any sport that requires running puts serious pressure on your dog’s joints. For healthy companions, that’s not a problem because they have a good structure. However, not all buddies can run without risking to hurt or injure themselves. For example, dogs with hip/elbow dysplasia or arthritis shouldn’t run too much to avoid any pain or injury. (Swimming could be better for them!) Make sure that the structure of your furry friend is strong enough to enjoy fetch games safely!
Read more about how playing fetch could be harmful on your dog’s legs here! [Open In A New Tab]
Puppies or Senior Dogs
Some dogs can also be too young or too old to enjoy fetching with their owners. Puppies or senior companions are very fragile, so they shouldn’t do intense physical activity. Your pup should be ready to play fetch or start more serious dog sports with you after 1 year of age. It could be sooner for small dogs or longer for large breeds. For elderly furballs, you need to be more careful with the intensity of your exercise routine around 7 or 8 years!
Brachycephalic (Short-Nosed) Breeds.
Some dogs aren’t suitable to enjoy physical activity for a long time. For example, short-nosed (or brachycephalic) breeds can’t breathe well. Furthermore, this respiratory issue restricts them to regulate their body temperature well. It makes them more at risk of overheating or get over-exercise. That’s why it’s important to not play fetch with them on hot days or for too long!
Brachycephalic Breeds: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Pekingese Dogs, Chow Chows, Shih Tzus, Bull Mastiffs, etc.
5 Tips To Play Fetch Safely With Your Dog!
As you can see, playing fetch can rarely be bad for dogs. With fun activities like that, you can provide your buddy with proper exercise quite easily. If you respect his physical and health conditions, it’s very good to play fetch for him. Therefore, this game is an efficient and fun way to be more active with your companion. Here are some tips to get started playing fetch with him!
- Use The Right Fetch Object! (Ball or Soft Rubber Toy)
- Take Your Time!
- Be Careful With Extreme Temperatures!
- Don’t Push Your Dog’s Limits!
- Pay Attention To Your Dog While Playing Fetch!
- Have Fun!
Also remember to not play too much ball throwing games it could stress your dog! Learn more about it here! [Open In a New Tab]
Last Thoughts About If Playing Fetch Is Bad For Dogs!
Finally, playing fetch with your dog can be extremely good to keep him fit, healthy, and happy. Unfortunately, some exceptions won’t be suitable to enjoy this sport safely. Without serious health problems or conditions, this activity shouldn’t be bad for dogs. On the contrary, it’s a great source of exercise, and it can be very fun!
My Labrador loves to play with toys and run after balls. I hope that your dog is also suitable to play fetch. Even if it’s not always simple to teach games to these pets, I’m sure it will be worth it. (Here are 6 steps to teach your dog how to fetch!) [Open In a New Tab] I would like to see you in dog parks enjoying fetch games with your buddy!