1. Check If Dogs Are Allowed
First things first, you should make sure that the beach you’re planning on visiting is dog friendly. Even if the beach is dog friendly, check that they’re allowed all year round as some beaches have seasonal periods where dogs aren’t permitted. A quick check online before you set off could save you from disappointment once you get there.
2. Pack the Essentials
Isn’t it always the way that you get halfway to your destination and suddenly realise that you’ve forgotten to pack one crucial item! We’ve all been there and we feel your pain. When you’re travelling to the beach with a dog however, there’s even more to remember, so here’s a handy checklist:- Fresh Water & Bowl: It’s important to prevent dehydration by offering fresh drinking water regularly.
- Doggy Sunscreen: Yes, dogs can get sunburned, especially short-haired breeds or those with white fur.
- Umbrella or Beach Tent: Providing shade is key to give your dog a break from the sun, so if you’ve got one, pack one.
- Towels: Useful for drying your dog after a swim and removing sand from their fur before they get back in the car.
- Lead and Collar: Even if you’re planning on letting your dog play freely off the lead, it’s always good to pack their lead for safety (more on this later).
- Poo Bags: It’s no good burying your head (or anything else for that matter!) in the sand. Respect other beach goers by cleaning up after your pooch.
- Toys: Packing a few frisbees, balls, or any other floating toys will only add to the fun. In Axel’s case, no trip to the beach is complete without his nearly indestructible rubber ring chew toy. It’s the only thing that stands up to his maw!
3. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Offer your dog fresh drinking water regularly to help avoid them becoming dehydrated. Consider investing in one of those specially designed doggy water bottles, with a built-in drinking bowl for convenience. Offering fresh water regularly will also reduce the risk of them gulping down seawater, which really isn’t good for them and can upset their stomach. Consuming sea water can cause diarrohea or vomiting, and in some extreme cases, consuming excessive seawater can even prove to be fatal.
4. Check The Weather
The Great British weather is notoriously unpredictable, so when we do get a period of sunny warm weather, the temptation to head to the beach is often to great to ignore. You should however avoid taking your dog to the beach if it’s too hot, as unlike humans our four-legged friends can’t regulate their body temperature in the same way that we can. Advice from Dogs Trust says that exercising your dog in temperatures as low as 21°C can potentially cause heatstroke, making it super-important to always check the forecast before heading out.
This doesn’t mean you need to avoid the beach on warm sunny days, it just means you need to be mindful of the conditions and take relevant precautions for your doggo. Consider visiting the beach earlier or later in the day when it’s a bit cooler. You may also enjoy the added benefit of it being a bit less crowded during these times too. Many times Axel has pretty much had the beach to himself on a mid-morning or early-evening walk.
5. Beware of Hot Sand
Sunny hot weather can spell trouble for your pet’s paws. A good rule to follow is that if you yourself can’t stand comfortably barefoot in the sand for 5 seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog too. If you’re not too keen on getting sand between those freshly pedicured toes, then you can easily check the temperature by simply placing your hand on it for a few seconds instead.
This advice is relevant even if you’re not visiting the beach, as walking your dog on the hot pavement can have the same effect on their paws. Guidance from the Kennel Club suggests that if your dog’s paws look red, swollen or blistered then it’s important that you quickly take them off the hot pavement and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.
6. Know Your Dog’s Swimming Skills
Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so it’s important to let your dog get used to the water gradually, especially if it’s their first visit to the seaside. Axel for example loves water and has always been a very confident and strong swimmer. That said, it’s still important to remember that waves and currents can be dangerous, regardless of how proficient a swimmer your dog is.
For those less confident canines, consider investing in a doggy life jacket for added safety. This could be particularly beneficial for small breeds or senior dogs.
7. Consider Hidden Dangers
Be mindful of sharp shells, rocks or other debris that could potentially cut or injure your dog’s paws. Unfortunately broken glass or discarded sharp metal objects are an unwanted hazard on many British beaches and can injure your dog if stepped on. If you do notice your dog limping or showing any discomfort, check their paws for any cuts or foreign objects. More often than not it’ll be nothing to worry about, however it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If your pooch is unlucky enough to cut themselves on a sharp object, keep the wound clean by washing it thoroughly with fresh water and try to keep it well covered until you’re able to make a trip to the vet.
8. Watch Out for Wildlife
By their very nature beaches can be home to various wildlife, including jellyfish, crabs, seals and birds. Whilst it can be exciting for dogs to encounter new creatures, some can pose health risks. Jellyfish stings for example can be painful and dangerous, so it’s important to steer your dog away from them.
If you’re in an area known for seals, then you should always keep your dog on a lead as seals can become very protective, particularly if there are seal pups around.
Similarly with birds, it’s important to keep a close eye on your dog and don’t let them chase or harass wildlife. Regardless of how good their recall is, sometimes the excitement of chasing a flock of seagulls can get the better of them, so it’s best to be vigilant.
9. Pack Some Cooling Treats
Treats are a great way of distracting your dog from doing things that you don’t want them to do. With Axel for example, we always give him a small treat early on during any visit to the beach just to let him know that we’re ‘packing’. We find that this makes him more likely to respond to commands when the urge to do something that you don’t want him to do presents itself.
On warmer days, consider packing some cooling treats too. This will allow you to kill two birds with one stone. If you’re packing a picnic, simply pop a few frozen treats in a cool bag and hey presto, you’re sorted! An ideal cooling treat could be one (or two, or three!) of our Happy Bones, which can be enjoyed as a delicious lollipop on a warm day, helping your doggo stay cool and hydrated.
10. Respect Other Beachgoers
Our final tip is to respect and be mindful of other people also enjoying the beach. Remember that whilst we’re all crazy dog people, not everyone is comfortable around dogs, with some people having allergies or even phobias.
With this in mind, keep your dog under control and be mindful of others around you. Similarly, if you see another dog that isn’t under control, having your dog’s lead handy is a good idea, just in case you need to clip them back on as a safety precaution. This can also be useful on beaches where there may be rocky cliff edges or dangerous drops, where you may want your dog to stick more closely to the path.
Conclusion
One final tip for when you’re back at home is to give your dog’s coat a quick rinse in order to remove any sand or salt that has built up during your beach adventure. Unfortunately this can cause skin irritation and may also dry out your dog’s coat, so is very important to wash off. This is particularly important for longer-haired breeds. Remember to also wash any collars or harnesses which may also be covered in debris from the beach.
We hope you’ve found these tips are useful and whilst we don’t want to be party poopers, we think it’s important to be prepared so that you and your four-legged friend have the very best time on your beach adventures. Don’t forget to share any photos of your seaside trips using the hashtag #axelspack - we love to see them!
For more helpful advice and guidance, check out our Blog & Advice Hub or email us at hello@axelselixir.com and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.