Hereโs the first, most important step to planning a beach day for
your dog: find out if the beach is pet-friendly, since many
prohibit dogs. If dogs are allowed, review the beach's guidelines
-- dogs may be required to stay in restricted areas, or be on a
leash for their visit -- and follow some simple safety steps to
ensure that your dogโs day of sand, waves, and sunshine is safe
as well as fun.
Beware of Heatstroke
A long day in the sun poses some risks for your dog, with
heatstroke and dehydration as the biggest potential problems.
Watch for an inordinate amount of panting, trouble breathing, and
disorientation. If the water is particularly chilly, or if your
visit occurs during the wintertime,
hypothermia can be a concern,
particularly with smaller breeds. Keep an eye out for shivering,
disorientation, slow breathing, and stiff muscles.Related
Story: How
to Identify Signs of Heatstroke in Your Dog
Water Safety: Does Your Dog Need a Life Vest?
Is your dog a swimmer? Many dogs love to swim, taking to the
waves confidently. If thatโs not the case for your dog, be
cautious about allowing your dog in the water. Some breeds are
skittish by the ocean; other breeds are simply not capable of
swimming. If youโre at all in doubt about how your dog will
respond, put a dog life vest on your pet.
Related Story: 4
Safety Tips for Dressing Your Pet
Keep an Eye On Your Dog
While youโre at the beach, make sure youโre always watching your
dog. Many beaches require pets to stay on a leash; even if the
one youโre visiting does not, make sure to keep dogs on a leash
if they donโt respond well to voice commands. Your dog should
have a good time, but not impede the fun of other beachgoers --
curtail rampages across the beach that might lead to sand being
flung on sunbathers.
Shop: Leashes for Your
Dog
Bring Dog-Friendly Beach Supplies
Load up your beach bag with supplies for your dog. Some of the
most important things to bring to the beach for your dogโs fun
and safety are:
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A water bowl and water: Provide your dog plenty of fresh
water to ensure hydration. Youโll also want to avoid having
your dog slurp down salt water, which can lead to sickness.
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An umbrella: Make sure thereโs some source of shade for
when your dog needs a break from the sunshine.
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A blanket or towel: The heat of the sand can be painful
on your dogโs paws. A blanket or towel will allow a break from
the exposure, and a comfy place for a nap.
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Sunscreen: Only use dog-friendly sunscreen on your pet;
sunscreen intended for people may have chemicals, scents, or
other problematic ingredients which dogs could easily ingest
while licking their fur.
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Toys!: Donโt forget, youโre here for fun. Safety is
important, but also make sure to bring a Frisbee, floating toy,
and fun toys for your dog to fetch.
In general, use your common sense; like you, your dog should
avoid too much time in the sun, especially during the hottest
part of the day, hydrate frequently, reapply sunscreen after
being in the water, and take breaks in the shade.
Shop: Balls
and Other Fetching Toys
Be Respectful of the Beach
Donโt leave any of your dogโs waste behind -- it could be an
unpleasant surprise for other beach-goers. Prevent dogs from
entering areas that are marked as off limits, which may often be
environmentally protected areas.When itโs time to take off for
the day, use an outdoor shower, or a bucket or bottle of fresh
water, to rinse off the sand, sunscreen, and saltwater from your
dog. Use a towel (or the sunshine!) to dry off your dog. If
youโre traveling by car, put down a blanket in the backseat to
keep the car dry and tidy.
Take Your Dog to the Beach
Image Credits: Pixabay
There is nothing more joyful than jumping and running on sandy
beaches. The wind ruffling the hair while you play with your dog
is truly an enjoyable experience. Yes, dogs love the beach. It is
one of the few destinations where both you and your dog can
de-stress. Since you will allow your canine to run free, it is
important that you do a few things first before taking your dog
to the sea. Get ID tags for example. This holds even if your dog
has been implanted with an identification microchip. Ensure that
the ID tags fitted to its collar could be easily readable. The
joy of playing in the sea may make the dog turn deaf to all your
calls.
Doggles is important
Bright sunlight is not suitable for any dog as their eyes work
better in dim light. Canines are almost blind during the dazzling
daytime on the beach. They can only navigate through their keen
sense of smell. An acute sense of hearing helps the dog to
navigate to wherever it wants to go. Since your dog cannot see
well in the sunlight, keep the animal within your line of sight.
Bright sunlight also means pink noses and sunburn being suffered
by the eyes. A number of pet stores sell "doggles" which is, as
its name suggests, are goggles for dogs. Buying a doggle makes
sense for not only enjoying the beach but also when the canine
rides an open-air vehicle like a convertible or a soft-top jeep
or a bike.
Training and cleaning
For your dog, the beach is a truly bewitching place. This is
especially applicable if the dog is an occasional visitor to the
sea-side. To your dog, the new smells are captivating. Your dog
may even forget your presence as it will be extremely happy. This
is why you should always train your dog before you take it to the
beach. Teach your dog a few hand-signals so that you can command
both by voice and by a gesture.
To make sure your dog comes back to you quickly, keep a few
doggie treats in your pocket. Keep those which does not melt by
heat and unaffected by moisture. When your dog comes running to
you, it will bring not only sand which sticks to its fur but also
other sea destination characteristics like sea-weed and other
remains of aquatic plants. It is important you wash the dog as
soon as you get off the beach or your residence will stink for
days afterward. Keep many old towels in your car. Get them out
and scrub your dog thoroughly after an enjoyable beach day
followed by a bath. It is recommended that you also towel your
dog after it comes out of the sea beach. The action will keep
your vehicle clean.
What are your tips for a trip to the beach with your dog? Try
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