Some dogs are terrified of water—be it baths, the beach, or pools, they want nothing to do with any of it. But others dogs love it, and when it gets warmer out, trips to the beach with your dog can be fun. If you’re planning on heading to the shores with your pup, it’s important to follow certain safety measures to ensure the day goes well. Check out our list of tips to make sure you and your dog both have fun at the beach!
1) Bring a Life Jacket for Your Dog
Not all dogs can swim, and even if yours can, there’s a chance that a wave, the current, or other disruptions in the water’s calmness can disorient your pooch. Some breeds are especially bad swimmers, such as corgis and pugs, so if you have a dog that can’t really swim, even a small amount of water can pose a danger. Bringing a doggie life vest can help prevent problems.
2) Don’t Forget Sunscreen
That’s right—sunscreen for dogs exists. Just like we humans are at risk for burning on unprotected spots like our ears and noses, so are dogs. Get a dog-friendly sunscreen and apply it to your pet’s ears and nose about 30 minutes before heading out to the beach.
3) Bring Fresh Water
You might think that with such a large body of water on hand, bringing your own water would be redundant. However, lake or ocean water can be dirty (or salt water) so it’s important to bring clean, fresh water along with a bowl with you to the beach. You might even find that you get a bit thirsty yourself—after all, being out in the sun can be dehydrating for anyone!
4) Be Mindful of Temperatures
Like cold snow and ice, hot sand and sidewalks can be harmful to your dog’s paws. Make sure they have adequate protection, or a place to get off of the hot surface from time to time. You should also be aware that running on sand is much harder for your dog than running on grass, so you should expect to have a shorter play time than you would at a traditional dog park.
5) Keep an Eye on Your Dog with Other Dogs
Like any dog park experience, beaches can be places for aggressive dogs to take over, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your dog as well as any dog your pet might be interacting with. This helps you notice potential problems early enough to intervene and can save a lot of heartache.
6) Wash Off Thoroughly
After the beach, make sure you rinse (or even wash) your dog off thoroughly. This helps get rid of salt, dirt, sand and any microorganisms from the water that they may have picked up. Be sure to dry off the inside of your pup’s ears as well (as well as any folds or rolls, depending on the breed of dog).
What routine do you follow when going to the beach? Let us know!
