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Tennis balls and small balls (choking): what to do for your dog

Caution. A ball small enough to fit fully in the mouth can lodge in the throat and block breathing, which is an emergency.

If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now

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Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI

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Tennis balls and small balls (choking) and dogs: key facts

Verdict
Caution · Emergency: get help now
What it can do
Struggling to breathe, choking or gagging sounds, pawing at the mouth and blue lips, gums or tongue.
What to do now
If your dog can still breathe, keep it calm and go to a vet right away. All steps
Sources
RECOVER Guidelines, PDSA, Cornell Riney Canine Health Center. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

What to do now

  1. If your dog can still breathe, keep it calm and go to a vet right away.
  2. If it can't breathe, act before you drive: give up to 5 firm blows with the flat of your hand on the back of the rib cage, beside the spine.
  3. If that fails, hold your dog with its head lower than its body, or give quick chest or belly thrusts. Be gentle with small dogs.
  4. If your dog passes out, start CPR. After 30 chest pushes, look in the mouth and remove the ball only if you can see it.
  5. Once the ball is out, take your dog to a vet right away.

Don't

  • Don't reach into the mouth of a dog that is awake, or use pliers or tweezers. You may be bitten or push the ball deeper.
  • Don't sweep your fingers blindly in the throat.
  • Don't give a dog a ball small enough to fit fully in its mouth.

Symptoms to watch for

  • Struggling to breathe
  • Choking or gagging sounds
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Blue lips, gums or tongue

Why

A small ball can slip to the back of the throat and block the airway; a small tennis ball can choke even a large dog. Swallowed pieces of balls and toys can also block the gut.

Sources

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.

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