Planning a beach day with your dog? Here are 15 must-know tips for taking your dog to a dog-friendly beach safely. From having enough water and preventing heatstroke to protecting paws from hot sand, this ultimate dog beach guide will help you and your pup have a fun, stress free day at the beach!
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| My dog Phoebe at the dog friendly beach in Jupiter, FL |
I'm writing this post in the middle of Winter, so those of you in colder climates may think it's strange to be talking about the beach now! But we live in South Florida so it's almost always the right time for a day at the beach with my dogs. In addition, we get tons of tourists here and many of them want to bring their dogs to the beach, especially our dog friendly beach in Jupiter on Florida's East coast. Today I'm sharing 15 tips for a fun, safe day at the beach with your dog.
15 tips for a dog-friendly beach day
Check Beach Rules and Restrictions - First of all, make sure the beach you plan to take your dog to actually allows dogs!
Some beaches are dog friendly but some have restrictions during certain times of the year. For example, they may not allow dogs during the months protected birds like Sand Pipers are nesting.
Two of our dog friendly beaches that are right next to each other, Jupiter beach and Juno beach Florida, have firm designations as to where the dog friendly part of the beach ends. The signage isn't always clear, so know before you go. People can get kind of testy if you don't know the boundaries, as I found out the first time I took my dogs to the dog friendly beach near me!
Make sure your dog has updated ID Tags and Microchip - Needless to say, make sure your dog is wearing a collar with updated ID tags and is Microchipped, especially if the dog friendly beach you choose to visit allows off leash dogs! If your dog should get caught up in the euphoria of an off leash dog friendly beach, he may run.... and keeping running until he is out of your sight. How will you reunite with your pup if he has no identification?!
Bring plenty of fresh water for your dog - This is a huge one! Hydration is always critical for dogs, but when they're running outside in the wind and salt air they may become dehydrated more quickly. Make sure to give your dog plenty of water breaks while you're at the beach.
Provide shade for your dog - Sitting out in the hot sun can be dangerous, not to mention uncomfortable and dehydrating to your dog. Make sure you have an umbrella or a towel to provide shade for your pup.
Pack a Pet First Aid Kit in your beach bag - There could be sharp shells, fish hooks, jelly fish, and other things on the beach that could cause injury to your dog. Not to mention, heaven forbid, if another dog attacks your precious pooch you may need to administer first aid. At a minimum your dog's first aid kit should include antiseptic wipes or hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, bandages and tweezers. Make sure you know where the nearest emergency veterinary clinic is just in case!
Before you even head to the beach know what times of day are coolest - It's important not to plan your beach time for the hottest times of the day. Mid-day is probably not optimal. We always take our dogs to the beach either before noon or after 4pm to avoid the dogs getting overheated.
Keep paw safety in mind - It's really important to check the asphalt or concrete in the parking lot as well as the sand to ensure it's not too hot for your dog's paws. Check surfaces, and if it's too hot for your hand, it is most certainly too hot for paws! Put booties or paw wax on your dog's paws to protect them from hot surfaces, and give your dog a towel to lay on in hot sand.
Know the leash rules and make sure your dog has a solid recall - Check to see if the dog friendly beach allows dogs to be off leash. If not, for your dog's safety please adhere to the leash rule. If your dog will be off leash make sure her recall is solid! With wind and waves if your dog gets too far away she won't here your repeated recall, so make sure she has a solid recall, or come when called response! Most beaches are pretty open without fences or gates, and they may be right next to a beach road just like the one we go to.
Check Beach and Water Safety Conditions - When you arrive, look for flags that indicate strong currents, rip tides, jellyfish on the beach, or harmful algae, red tide, etc. You don't want your dog to romp on sand or dip a paw into ocean water with any of these safety issues!
Be sure to bring dog waste bags - so you can Scoop the Poop! Not only does that help keep the beach and ocean sanitary, but it's been my experience that it can prevent fights! People get really angry if they see a dog poop on the beach and the owner doesn't pick it up!
Don't let your dog ingest too much salt water - Dogs invariable end up swallowing some sea water at the beach. But salt water can be harmful to dogs if they ingest too much. Monitor your dog during and after the beach to ensure she doesn't start vomiting or get diarrhea. If she does, call your Vet immediately.
Don't let your dog overheat - Give your dog plenty of water to drink and shade, and monitor the temperature. If you see signs of overheating in your dog such as excessive panting, drooling, or collapsing, get her into the shade and put cool water on her paws and neck. It might be time to leave the beach!
Don't let your dog ingest sand - It's inevitable that your dog will end up eating some sand while eating treats or playing on the beach. But if they ingest too much sand it could cause an intestinal blockage, so keep an eye on your dog to make sure she's not actually chowing down on sand.
My dogs Icy and Phoebe at a dog friendly beach
Beware of wildlife at the beach - seeing wildlife is fun and exciting, but there are some creatures that could harm your dog. Jellyfish and Manowars, crabs, larger birds, and even sharks in the same shallow water your dog is swimming in can be dangerous to dogs if they come in close contact.
Rinse off salt water and sand - After the beach, rinse your dog off and towel dry. Sand and sea water can irritate your dog's skin and paws. Be sure to thoroughly dry your dog's ears afterwards, especially if your dog's ears are floppy to avoid ear infections in dogs.
Follow these tips on Beach Safety for Dogs when taking your dog to the beach, so you'll both have a blast and your dog will stay safe!
And please, don't assume that all dogs can swim. Not all dogs are good swimmers and some dogs even hate the water! Keep your eyes on your dog at all times, and I strongly suggest investing in a dog life jacket!
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