If you’re a dog owner you likely know what fetch is but did you know that playing fetch is actually not a recommended form of activity for dogs?
So why is a game well known by so many considered to be potentially dangerous?
Well, Let’s have a closer look into what happens to your dog’s body when playing fetch.
Essentially fetch consists of repeatedly throwing a ball and having your dog fetch for it. Some even brag about their pet being able to fetch for HOURS.
Imagine how your body would feel after repetitions and repetitions of rapid accelerations, stopping, sudden turns, jumping and landing at full speed. These types of movements cause excessive stress loads on your pet’s limbs and more importantly his/her spine and that can lead to various injuries such as:
– Ligament tears (CCL)
– Muscle tears/sprains
– Fractures
– Joint dislocation
– Spinal injuries that can actually leave your dog paralyzed.
Fetch is especially dangerous for puppies/young dogs who have not completed their growth process, overweight dogs, arthritic dogs, and particular breeds such as Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and French Bulldogs, just to name a few.
However, fetch can still be a fun and stimulating activity when done properly. Here are a few tips to minimize the associated risks:
– Start with a good 10min warm up (walk, sit to stand, give paw, trotting, etc.), only 2-3 throws and limit fetching to 1-2x/week allowing time for the body to recuperate
– Play fetch in the water to lower the impact on the body (still only doing 2-3 throws)
– Hide a ball and ask your pet to fetch/retrieve (hide and seek) as opposed to throwing the ball. This is both physically and mentally engaging for your dog while being more gentle on his/her body.
