4 Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach
The beach is a hot destination during the summer and even during the off-season months. Many people bring their furry canine friends with them for sun and exercise.
Transporting your pup to the beach is as easy as buckling them into the backseat and go. However, warm temperatures can make the sandy beaches too hot for a dog’s sensitive paw pads. If the sand is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
This article from CyberPet explains the different choices of transporting your dog in a backpack made for dogs. Keeping your pet’s paws in the air and off the hot sand can prevent expensive vet bills for you and excruciating pain for your pup.
But hot sand isn’t the only thing dog owners need to prepare for when taking their dog to the beach.
4 Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Beach
Beach excursions are meant to be relaxing and stress-free. To-do lists and research may seem the opposite of relaxing, but they can save a lot of hassle.
A short trip to the beach only requires a few items of preparation to make the day go smoothly. Use these four steps as a guide to prepare you before hitting the beach with your dog:
1. Find a Dog-Friendly Beach
A trip to the beach with your dog is pointless if your pup has to stay in the car. Rules vary from state-to-state and beach-to-beach. Some beaches are super dog-friendly and allow dogs to roam freely off-leash.
Other beaches may be closed to dogs during the busy summer months but allow dogs during the off-season. Local leash laws can even supersede the beach’s rules regarding leashes.
Keep a spare leash in your car just in case and do minor research to find dog-friendly beaches in your area.
2. Provide Fresh Water and Shade
Bring fresh water to the beach, surrounded by water? Yes, it is a necessity. Dogs can get dehydrated easily at the beach. Depending on the body of water, it may be chock full of salt, which can be harmful to your dog. Bringing a cooler of fresh, cool water can keep your dog hydrated.
Your dog will also need a shaded area to lay after they’ve exerted energy playing in the sand and water. While panting does help a dog cool down, it’s still dangerous for them to get overheated.
Knowing the signs of heatstroke in dogs can help prevent a life-and-death incident on the beach.
3. Don’t Let Your Pup Eat Sand
Dogs are going to eat what they eat, right? But eating too much sand can have dire consequences for your dog. Their digestive systems cannot digest the sand, so it sits like a stone in their intestines, causing a blockage.
The best way to prevent your dog from eating sand is to supervise them constantly. Some dogs may be happy merely digging holes or romping in the water.
Furthermore, don’t forget to protect your dog’s paw pad. The sand on some beaches can get extremely hot and it can be uncomfortable for your dog’s feet.
4. Clean Up After Your Dog
Another reason to supervise your dog is so you know when they decide the beach is their new bathroom. It’s likely that at some point during your day at the beach, your dog will need to go potty.
Many beaches provide baggies for pet owners to use to clean up after their dogs. Some don’t so make sure to bring your own.
Dog poop is a problem for fish and wildlife, so be mindful to pick them up to avoid water and soil contamination. Stash some poop bags in your beach tote to clean up after your dog.
Pay Special Attention to Safety
If your dog is not used to new environments and hasn’t been around the beach, especially if it’s a populated area, you must be prepared for every situation. When in these environments, dogs tend to wander off quickly, creating troublesome situations for you and your peers. That’s where wireless dog fences come as life-saving aid; when properly trained to this dog fence, your doggo will stay within its limits and never wander away from your attention. You won’t lose him, and prevent a ton of stressful situations (think scared babies/people, other dogs & fighting, biting, etc). Being prepared will save you a lot of trouble, and having such help will ensure a pleasant time at the beach.
Keep the Beach Fun and Safe for Everyone
Beaches can be a lot of fun for humans and dogs alike. But there are also hidden dangers, such as broken glass on the beach or sharp rocks in the water. It’s also important to respect the other people and dogs who are also trying to enjoy the beach.
Cleaning up after your dog and supervising their play are ways to show respectful behavior. If your dog is prone to aggressiveness, keep them on the leash or at home. Beaches are meant to be a fun escape from stress. Help keep it that way.
