Vet settles debate on whether you should throw a ball for your dog

If you take your dog for a walk every day, there's a good chance you always have a ball with you to help your pet burn off some energy. Dog owners will all agree that their furry friends absolutely love playing fetch, but it is also important to be aware of some safety advice to ensure your dog doesn't get injured.

Fortunately, one veterinary expert who has encountered many dogs with injuries from walks has offered some crucial advice to make sure you can keep your pet safe.

Lauren Bennett, veterinary nurse and scientific and policy officer at The RSPCA, explained that, while fetch can be a fun way to help your dog stay fit and healthy, owners should avoid overdoing it.

She said: "Playing fetch with your dog is a great way of providing physical exercise and mental stimulation for them.

"It promotes the exhibition of normal behaviours like chase and predation, so your dog will experience pleasure from participating.

"It is possible to over-exercise your dog by playing fetch."

Ms Bennett warns that overdoing it with fetch can result in worn joints and muscle strains, as well as accelerating "degeneration of joint tissues" or causing "grazes of the pads, cuts and nail damage."

Experts at Canine Arthritis Management also warn that the repeated micro-trauma of chasing a ball around can cause long-term damage.

The dogs most at risk of injury are those under the age of six months for small breeds and under 24 months for bigger breeds.

Older dogs are also at higher risk of injury.

While fetch can be dangerous, experts have provided some advice on how to play fetch safely with your dog.

Experts' advice on how to play fetch safely:

- Gently roll the ball along the ground rather than throwing over longer distances.

- Play fetch on a flat, even surface.

- Only play fetch for a few minutes at a time.

- Rather than just playing fetch, play other games such as hiding the ball to stimulate their brain while not over-exerting them.