A Guide to Taking Your Dog to the Beach
Water Playtime
If your dog enjoys other dogs, the dog beach is a great place to meet new friends!
Going to the beach with your dog is one of those past-times that just can’t be beat. A day in the warm sunshine, splashing in the cool water with your canine companion, can be an absolute joy for both you and your dog!
Even the dog that’s not so keen on the water part can enjoy running through the sand, exploring along the shore, or just watching and smelling all the new sights and scents that the beach brings. Not to mention hanging out with their favourite humans!
But, to make this day perfect, you’ll want to be prepared.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to the beach with your dog or are simply looking for advice to make this experience the best it can be, there’s a few things you will want to bring along and a few things you’ll need to know about a day at the beach with your dog.
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Find a Dog Friendly Beach
Before you head off to a beach with your pup, you will need to do a little research.
Not all beaches are dog friendly and even dog friendly beaches may have rules for leash requirements, off-leash areas, times of day or times of year when dogs are allowed on the beach, and areas of the beach that may be off limits to your dog.
Learn the rules and follow them. Just because your dog is well-behaved and has perfect recall, that doesn’t exempt you and your dog from those rules.
You should probably also check to ensure that the water is safe. Blue-green algae blooms and E.coli bacteria in the water can be dangerous for you and your dog. So, if you want to go in the water, you’ll need to check first.
Another concern is dangerous currents and riptides. Check for any posted conditions or check with the lifeguard before you let your dog in the water and take any precautions necessary.
Soaking in the Views
For a long day at the beach, give your dog some rest breaks
Beach Day Dog Supplies
If you’re heading off to the beach, there’s definitely a few supplies you’ll need to bring along. Some are necessary. Some are just great items to bring along to make the day more enjoyable and to make clean-up for the ride home easier.
Water- This one is a non-negotiable. Take more than you think you need. On a hot, sunny day in the sand, your dog can quickly become dehydrated and your fun day at the beach can become dangerous. Also, it can help with clean-up at the end of the day and cleansing debris out of scrapes and wounds, if necessary. Oh, and don’t forget a water bowl! I really like this portable dog water station that combines a large water container with a built-in pull-out bowl to dispense the water. But a large jug of water and a separate bowl will also do the trick.
Shade- Whether it’s a tree at the edge of the beach, a beach umbrella, or a pop up shade tent for your dog, such as a CoolerDog Shade Tent, providing your dog with shade is an absolute must! I like this little pop up tent because it has plenty of ventilation but will still provide your pup with a shady spot to rest, blocking 98% of UV rays.
Cooling Mat- To keep your pet from overheating, let them lay in the shade and use a cooling mat, such as the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad to help them cool down further.
Pet First Aid Kit- Always a good idea when travelling. Minor cuts and scrapes can happen easily on a sandy beach or in the water so it’s a good idea to have a kit tucked in your beach bag, just in case. You can purchase a pre-made pet first aid kit such as this Everlit Pet Medic Kit or, to build your own kit, check out our article, DIY Pet First Aid Kit.
Pet Sunscreen- If your dog has thin fur, light or white fur, or to protect any dog’s nose and ears, you will need to use a pet-safe sunscreen. Many human sunscreens, including a lot of baby and children’s sunscreens, contain zinc oxide. While a very effective mineral block for humans, zinc oxide is toxic to dogs. Try a formula specifically made for pets, such as Noseprint. This formula uses titanium dioxide as a mineral block that will not harm your dog and contains no other harmful chemicals and ingredients.
Food/Treats- If you’re going to be at the beach all day, you may want to bring some of your dog’s food along. All that fresh air, sunshine, and frolicking can really ramp up your dog’s appetite. Treats are good to have along, just in case your pup gets a little too distracted when you’re trying to get their attention.
Microfibre Dog Towel- The Bone Dry Towel is super absorbent, fast-drying, and durable. It will make quick work of wicking away all that excess moisture so you aren’t left with a soaking wet, sand-covered pup at the end of the day.
Life Jacket- If your dog isn’t the most confident swimmer or just for added peace of mind, you may want to outfit your dog with a life jacket. Check out the Outward Hound Life Jacket, with it’s excellent fit and bouyancy, high visibility colours, reflective strips, a front float to support your dog’s neck and chin, and dual handles for lifting and supporting your dog in an emergency.
Floating Pet Toys- Bring along some toys to play with your dog if you have an area where you can let them off leash and they have great recall skills. Choose high visibility, floating pet toys such as the Chuckit! Amphibious Bumper, the Kong Aqua Floating Fetch Toy, or the Chuckit! Paraflight Flying Disc.
Waterproof Leash and Collar- It’s handy to have a leash and collar that are waterproof and easy to clean. I like the Regal Dog Collar and Leash, made of biothane. They’re durable, waterproof and easy to wipe clean and dry. I’ve used biothane collars for my dogs for years and highly recommend them. Oh, and don’t forget to make sure your dog’s ID and vaccination tags are attached to the collar!
Pet Wipes/Waste Bags- Having pet wipes to clean sandy paws or fur can be handy. And, of course, you should have plenty of pet waste bags to make sure you clean up after your dog. Do not just bury the waste in the sand or ignore! NOT COOL!!
Playtime in the Sand
Use toys that will not collect a lot of sand to avoid ingestion
Safety for Dogs at the Beach
While a day at the beach sounds like a fun time, there are a few safety hazards that you need to be aware of to protect your dog.
If you’re at the ocean, don’t let your dog drink seawater. Generally speaking, even drinking lake water isn’t the best idea for your dog. Keep them hydrated with the clean, fresh water that you know is safe.
Watch your dog to make sure they’re not ingesting sand. It can act like cement in your dog’s digestive system and become impacted.
When playing with toys in the water, be sure to keep them close to the shore so your dog doesn’t end up tired out and too far from the shoreline or towed away by currents.
Broken glass, sharp shells or fish hooks on the beach can make a mess of your dog’s paws. Watch for dangers and keep that first aid kit handy in your beach bag(not back at the car).
Treat sand like a hot sidewalk. Make sure the sand isn’t too hot for your dog. If your dog is used to wearing booties for paw protection, bring them along. You could also use a paw pad wax, such as Musher’s Secret , to condition and protect your dog’s paws.
Over-heating can be a huge concern for an active dog in the sunshine and on the hot sand. If you’re only going for a short time, try going early in the morning or later in the evening. If you’re spending the whole day, make sure your dog stays well-hydrated and takes plenty of breaks in the shade. Watch for signs of overheating, such as excessive, frantic panting, extreme drooling, bright red gums and tongue, and a rapid heartbeat. Stop their playing and get them to rest, hydrate slowly, and cool down completely in the shade.
Life is a Joy!
For a water-loving dog, a day at the beach is such a treat!
Post-Beach Clean-up
At the end of the day, before you let them in your car, use a dog brush or a microfiber towel to knock off loose sand and debris from their fur. Make sure to get their paws wiped off as much as possible to get rid of the grit.
Presumably, you will have a seat cover to protect your seats. If not, a blanket can protect your car’s interior so it doesn’t get wet and end up smelling something like fish or mud.
Give your dog a good rinse with fresh, lukewarm water to remove sand (and saltwater at the ocean) from their fur and a good towel dry to remove as much water as possible.
Some pet-friendly beaches have stations available for clean-up right at the beach. If not, do this when you arrive home.
Make sure you clean your dog’s ears carefully to prevent ear infections and dry them thoroughly with a fresh towel to prevent skin infections.
Unless they smell, they don’t necessarily need a bath with shampoo after a beach visit, especially if you’re going often as that can strip protective oils from their fur and irritate their skin.
But if this is an occasional beach visit, this may be the time to give them that full bath. Chances are, a tired and happy pup will make a more willing participant in bath-time!
