Warning: Tennis Balls from PetsMart

This came in to the rescue I volunteer with, just yesterday, 12/31/10:

Yesterday I bought four miniature tennis balls for my daughter's dogs as
well as for my Orli. None of the dogs would pick up the balls.

This morning I tried to get Orli intersted since she loves to chase
tennis balls. She refused to chase or pick up these balls. I noticed a
chemical smell about the balls. A few minutes later I touched my index
finger to my tongue because I could smell the chemical on my finger. I
immediately felt a burning sensation and it has been two hours and the
taste is still on my tongue. I have tried to remove it by swishing
around in my mouth water, hydrogen peroxide, toothpaste and more water.
Hardly any reduction in the sensation and taste.

I purchased the balls at Petsmart in Lincoln Square, Arlington, Texas.

The balls are labeled "Junior Tuff Peanut Butter Balls." The packaging
further states: "Burst of Peanut butter." Made by "Petsport USA."
Then, "Made in China."

I have alerted Petsmart both at the home office as well as the Arlington
store. Tried to call USDA but it is closed for the day.

It is my opinion these balls are not safe for dogs to pick up in their
mouths.

Please do not let your dogs have these "toys" until you have checked
them out and you are satisfied they are OK.

Thanks for the warning. I don't do tennis balls because of the damage they can do to their teeth. Delta destroys them. So we stay away.

Oh My Goodness! That's terrible & sounds very unsafe, probably harmful to dogs or whatever else might touch them. I have a real tennis ball which I put in a long sock years ago, tied a knot so ball stays in it, & sometimes I throw it for the little dog or cat to bring back.

Thanks for the warning. Kay in NC

Yikes! Thanks for the warning Sandie! Santa brought tennis balls here. They're Kongs Air Dog. Of course they're made in China. The label says designed and tested in the USA.

I never heard of "flavored" toys. Sounds strange to me. Only tennis
balls I have bought for dogs are the ones used by real tennis players.
Glad to spread the word on these things, they sound like bad news.

We have the small tennis balls at the shelter but I believe they are not flavored. I'll have to check next weekend.
This is good to know. I also don't give mine tennis balls. But since we have tennis/racquet ball courts right over our backyard fence, we sometimes find one in our yard. :p Luckily neither of mine are very interested in them and surprisingly Taggart doesn't tear them up.

Thanks for the info. I will let my dog lover friends know. :)

One of my clients who has 4 rescue Goldens, buys a box of regular tennis balls from the tennis ball company. They're are only hit with a racket once and then sold.