16 Perfectly Preppy Tennis-Themed Dog Toys and Accessories · Kinship

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16 Perfectly Preppy Tennis-Themed Dog Toys and Accessories

These toys will make your dog the next Serena Williams — and look Wimbledon ready.

by Charles Manning
May 3, 2023
Woman playing tennis with small black dog.
Courtesy of @themaxbone

There are few things sporty dogs love more than a good tennis ball. Unfortunately, traditional tennis balls can pose many health risks to dogs: Their fuzzy green felt wears down tooth enamel, and the synthetic fibers they shed can accumulate in a dog’s bowels and cause potentially life-threatening blockages. Tennis balls can also pose a legitimate choking hazard for larger dogs and have been shown to contain potentially harmful levels of lead and other toxic materials. 

But don’t fret! There are plenty of safe, fun ways you and your dog can express your shared love (because tennis, get it?) of one of the most elegant and exciting games there is — from combination racket/dog carriers, to tennis-ball-green leash sets, to balls designed specifically for tooth-safe chewing. Check out our full list below. They’re all…aces. 

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

Maxbone X Prince Backpack

This compact pet carrier is perfect for tennis lovers looking to combine court time and dog time. Designed in collaboration with iconic tennis brand Prince, the bag can accommodate pets up to 17 pounds and features a special compartment big enough to hold a tournament-size racquet (or a laptop). Side pockets are great for toting water bottles or cans of fresh tennis balls, while the front pocket is ideal for treats and other dog essentials. The bag also features a poop-bag holder and an interior safety latch. It’s made of super-soft neoprene in an understated dove gray and can even be laid flat and used as a bed.

Dog Tennis Balls, P.L.A.Y

These dog-safe tennis balls won’t wear down your dog’s tooth enamel or shed harmful fluff fibers, which can accumulate in your dog’s intestines and cause life-threatening blockages. Ideal for light chewers, these balls are floatable, bouncy, squeaky, and certified non-toxic. They also feature cheeky little slogans like “Chasing balls is my cardio” and come in a range of fun colors that make it easy to differentiate from other balls at the dog park.

Designed for heavy-duty chewing, these bouncy, floatable balls are available in two sizes and three colors, including tennis-ball green. They feature an open cavity for holding your dog’s favorite treats, are certified non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and made in the U.S. And like all of P.L.A.Y.’s toys, they are manufactured to meet the same safety standards that the Consumer Product Safety Commission set for toys for human infants and children.

AirDog Squeakair Ball, KONG

An XL tennis ball for your XL dog to fetch and gnaw to their heart’s content. Once again, tennis balls can pose a choking hazard to larger dogs (we can’t overstate this), but at four inches wide, this ball is nearly twice the diameter of a standard tennis ball, meaning even the largest dog should be able to play safely with minimal supervision. KONG products are made with non-toxic materials, and this particular ball is covered with a special non-abrasive felt, so it won’t harm your dog’s teeth.

iFetch Mini Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy

Does your small dog absolutely live for a good game of fetch? This mini ball launcher uses scaled-down tennis balls perfect for little dogs with correspondingly tiny mouths. The balls themselves mimic the look and feel of regular tennis balls, but with a non-abrasive outer material that’s easier on a dog’s teeth. The launcher has three settings, so you can send the ball 10, 20, or 30 feet away with just the push of a button, making it great for indoor or outdoor play. You can even train your dog to load the launcher themselves, though you should still make sure you are present when the launcher is in use, especially because these balls are small and not choke-safe.


Charles Manning

Charles Manning is an actor, writer, and fashion/media consultant living in New York City with his two cats, Pumpkin and Bear. Follow him on Instagram @charlesemanning.

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