No matter how many toys owners buy and surprise their dogs with, there is always one that they keep going back to again and again.
A few reasons as to why dogs might favor one toy over the rest include scent and familiarity, texture, sound, size, and durability. But what happens if you upgrade their favorite toy to the exact same thing, just bigger? That's what one dog owner decided to test. Dog Pet Plush Toys
The owner, who is known on Instagram as @maddie.cannizzaro, knew her dog Riley's favorite toy was a tennis ball and when she spotted a giant tennis ball at a store, she knew she had to get it.
The caption reads: "I think she likes it."
A post shared by Maddie Cannizzaro (@maddie.cannizzaro)
It was love at first sight for Riley and her new toy. Her tail was wagging nonstop from when she saw the ball and the entire time she chased it around the house. Plus, did you see her jumps? Riley was demanding that her owner give her that ball instantly.
There's no doubt that Riley liked her new plaything. The owner wrote an update in the comment section a couple of weeks after posting the video that her dog already destroyed the toy.
The Instagram video brought in over 8.3 million views, 461,000 likes, and 702 comments as of Monday.
One person pointed out: "The happy hops!!" A sign of a satisfied customer.
"You're gonna have to buy the rest of those balls now," commented a viewer.
Another viewer jokingly cautioned: "Please don't give these to your dogs!!! They can become professional tennis players and go to Wimbledon completely abandoning you to play Serena Williams."
Others said they've also had happy customers, aka their dogs, with this toy, but it only lasted a few minutes before they absolutely destroyed it.
Newsweek reached out to @maddie.cannizzaro via Instagram for additional comment.
Plenty of dogs love playing fetch as it resembles their natural instinct of hunting down prey and dogs who were bred to retrieve especially love playing fetch as it gives them a job to complete. But there are some dangers owners should be aware of while playing the game.
Newsweek previously reported one of the dangers of throwing a ball and having a dog retrieve is that it can be a choking hazard, although it is not common. Larger dogs get overly excited while playing, which might lead to the tennis balls getting stuck.
Dogs might also enjoy chewing on the tennis ball, ripping apart the fuzzy material on the outside. This, again, could become a choking hazard. The American Kennel Club warned that playing with tennis balls can cause dental wear and tear.
Owners can still opt to play with tennis balls but they are advised to always supervise to avoid any potential risks.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Liz O'Connell is a Newsweek Reporter based in North Carolina. Her focus is on pet news and videos. Liz joined Newsweek in 2023 and had previously worked at PetHelpful.com, the Charlotte Business Journal, and The Anson Record. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona.
You can get in touch with Liz by emailing e.oconnell@newsweek.com.
Liz O'Connell is a Newsweek Reporter based in North Carolina. Her focus is on pet news and videos. Liz joined ... Read more
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