July 21st, 2020 by Amy Varley

Taking your pooch to the beach – it’s fun all round! The majority of dogs love going to the beach, feeling the sand in their toes, plenty of open space to run around on, and of course, the sea for them to paddle in, run through, or even have a swim if they are brave enough! Sounds like a perfect day – but of course there are a few things you should take into consideration to keep your four-legged friend healthy and happy on their beach trip! Here’s what all of the dos and don’ts for when you plan your next beach trip with your pooch…

Do take plenty of fresh water

One thing about our dogs running around the beach is that they can get very thirsty which can lead to them drinking from the sea. While small amounts of saltwater shouldn’t do much harm to your dog, if they drink a large amount this can cause water to be pulled into your dog’s intestines, causing diarrhoea which can lead to dehydration. If your dog is sick this can further lead to dehydration. Providing your dog with plenty of fresh water will keep them hydrated and hopefully prevent them from drinking too much salty seawater.

Don’t forget about your dog’s paws

Sandy beaches can get very hot on sunny days, and if we are wearing shoes or sandals, we may not realise just how hot the sand actually is for our dog’s paws. Protecting your dog’s paws with a paw balm before taking them to the beach can help to protect them from burning, as can keeping them covered with boots if it is extremely hot. Keeping them damp and cool in the sea can also help to protect them from burning.

Do keep a close eye on your dog

The first time I took my dog to the beach she ate sand – so much in fact that when we got home, she threw a load up and then pooped out sand for a couple of days after! She was pretty sneaky about it, however, if you keep a close eye on your pooch, you should be able to distract them from doing anything like this, or from running too far away, or going too far out to sea!

Don’t let your dog swim out too far

We often hear stories about dogs swimming too far out to sea, getting into difficulties, and then when their human tries to save them, they also get into difficulty – potentially drowning themselves. If your dog is a keen swimmer and you think they may swim out too far, having them attached to a long line will ensure you have at least some control over them! If your dog is a strong swimmer they can still get into difficulty in the sea, as they may not be familiar with waves or the different types of currents may be too strong for your dog to deal with.

Do pick your dog’s poop up – always!

The last thing any of us want is to step barefooted on the beach into another dog’s mess! And imagine a child’s horror if they were digging up sand to build a sandcastle and dug up a doggy poop – not nice! And while it may be tempting to simply bury your dog’s poop, consider everyone else on the beach and pick up after your dog!

Don’t forget to protect your dog’s ears

My dog has very sensitive ears that seem to be prone to infection, so ensuring they keep as dry as possible is always very high on my priorities for a day out. For dogs with drooping or folded over ears such as Spaniels or Labradors, there are a number of ‘snoods’ you can use, essentially as a shower cap for their ears, to keep water from entering the ear canal. While these can be a good idea, my dog has open and pointy ears, so keeping water out of them is much trickier. A good ear flush or rinse product will help to remove any sand or other debris that has gotten into the ears, while also helping to remove excess moisture and therefore preventing ear infections.

Do pack a spare lead and make sure your dog is wearing an ID collar

It is often easy to misplace things at the beach – perhaps your dog likes to bury things! Taking a spare lead, or a long lead may often come in handy, and if you are letting your dog off the lead you should always make sure they have an ID tag on their collar or harness, just in case your dog decides to take themselves off on a solo adventure down the beach!

Don’t forget to remove as much salt and sand as possible

Towels can be very useful, not only for us but for our pooches! Before you leave the beach to go home you should always try and clean as much sand off of your dog as you can – not only to save your car from all of the sand but to help remove as much sand and saltwater from your dog as possible. This is because the sand and salt can irritate your dog’s skin, so if you only visit the beach occasionally it is recommended you give your dog a full bath when they get home to ensure their skin and coat stay healthy. Our Gentle Touch shampoo is perfect for all coat types – including dogs that suffer from sensitive skin!

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Do take some toys for your dog

Taking toys for your dog to play with is always a great idea! While your dog’s favourite tennis ball might be top of your list, perhaps look for a ball with a smoother surface, or perhaps a floating dummy toy. These don’t seem to attract so much sand to stick to them, which will help to stop your dog from getting a mouthful of sand every time they pick their toy up!

Don’t forget to have fun!

Obviously, the best tip we can give for a doggy beach trip is to make sure you enjoy it! Taking a few simple precautions to help your day to run smoothly will help you to feel more relaxed about the whole experience, allowing you to enjoy your day playing with your pooch and watching them have the time of their lives!