To have some concerns about giving a toddler a ball bought from a pet shop?

[Chchchchangeabout]

OH bought it and threw away the packaging so no idea if it's suitable or not. Seems quite robust but rather heavy and not sure exactly what it's made of. It's plastic of some kind or other.

I suggested it would be best played with under supervision just in case but OH stridently disagrees. And has also decided because I'm concerned about this I am questioning his ability to be a good parent, and should accept his view on this as if I don't do that it proves I don't trust his judgement.

AIBU?

[MrsTawdry]

Why did he buy the toddler a pet ball? YABU anyway. I assume it's rubber?

[WineListPlease]

I can't understand what the potential risk could be?

[Chchchchangeabout]

Not sure MrsT, it could be rubber. It is see throughish material though so not sure, and a bit heavier than I'd expect rubber to be.

[ClassicTron]

I think, if anything, it's likely to be more robust, if it's designed for dogs to chase.

If it's safe for dogs and safe for dog owners to handle, I can't see why it wouldn't be safe for a toddler and in you OH's position I'd probably feel much the same way.

[sanfairyanne]

what kind of concerns? its probably quite tough at least.

[Houseworkavoider]

I think yabu.
The ball won't be made of toxic material and is designed to be chewed by a dog so I doubt a toddler could break it up into choke sized bits.

[Annunziata]

I don't see why you're bothered, the child isn't going to start barking at the ball, is he?

[MsJudgementalPants]

As long as you didn't buy him a little wheel to run around in I can't see the problem.

[mikado1]

My toddler was given a plastic cat's ball-straight from the cat's basket! ! I wouldn't worry :)

[Chchchchangeabout]

Hmmm it seems IABU. Darn it.

However, should darling little Changes start barking like a dog as a result of unsupervised pet use, I will SUE YOUR ASSES.

[Chchchchangeabout]

Unsupervised pet ball use.

Unsupervised pet use definitely sounds like a bad idea.

[MrsTawdry]

I'd be pissed off he didn't go to a toy shop!

[Annunziata]

My toddler is very sad that she isn't a cat and miaows quite often, but I put that down to age

[Hakluyt]

"I'd be pissed off he didn't go to a toy shop!"

Why?

[gamerchick]

I'd be more worried about the telly if a youngling started chucking a dog ball about

[CliveCussler]

A plastic cat's ball.

sorry. I'm not the grammar police. That just made me laugh

[froggyjump]

We use loads of toys from pet shops as sensory interaction things with SN kids. Knobbly balls and rings, cat teaser things (feathers on fishing rods, sparkly balls with bells in etc) They are way cheaper than from a SN equipment catalogue, and, as PP have said, are usually more robust.

[MrsTawdry]

Hak because WHY go to a bloody pet shop to buy your child a toy? It's odd. Toy shops have toys expressly designed for children. Pet shops have toys for animals.

[Hakluyt]

Oh, don'tbe silly- a ball's a ball!

And he might well have been in the pet shop anyway.

[ClassicTron]

I would have thought it was a case of he was in/passing the toy shop and saw something DS would like, rather than specifically setting off to buy DS a ball in the pet shop.

[BackforGood]

Like froggyjump said, a pet stall is by far and away the best place to go for toys for sensory interaction. a fraction of the price of a 'specialist catalogue' but certainly as useful and as tough.

However, back to the OP - a ball is a ball. Any ball tough enough for a dog is going to be tough enough for a small person.

[littlejohnnydory]

Don't be silly! I've used a lot of pet toys for sensory boxes etc. I also use clean, new sponges, swiffer cloths, shaving foam, hair gel, etc which aren't from a toy shop either. I'm not sure what the problem would be?

[Morloth]

DS2 has a rubber pig thing that makes a godawful noise when you squeeze it.

He got it at the pet store. We also have some giant tennis balls that we got there, they are extremely robust.

[Hakluyt]

We have that pig- the dog's terrified of it!