Summer is often considered the season for adventures for all the right reasons. There is a lot to explore with warm temperatures, great outdoors, and longer days all calling out your name. Summers are especially pleasant for us dog parents as we plan on spending the summertime outside with our four-legged buddies.
So, are you planning to take your furry buddy to the beach?
The beach is normally the most popular choice to have fun and beat the heat simultaneously. As the temperatures start rising, you may feel excited to take your pup to the beach. What can you expect, though? Chances are you know some dog-friendly beaches, but what does that mean?
The prospect of taking your dog to the beach may raise some questions; what should you bring to the beach? Which beach should you go to?
Besides these questions, we also need to understand what our furry family members want us to know. Our dogs also need to stay calm and cool.
To help you out, we have shortlisted five things about beaches you should know when taking your dog to the beach. Let’s get started!
5 Things to Know About Beaches
Here are five things to know about beaches when taking your dog there:
1. Check if it’s a Dog-Friendly Beach
It is not usually hard to find dog-friendly beaches, but it’s always better to be careful and do your research. Many beaches have rules in place. For instance, they might require dog owners to keep their pets on a leash and stay out of certain areas If you plan on going to a particular beach, make sure to call the management and familiarize yourself with all the rules of that beach.
Furthermore, if you like to let your dog roam free, you need to find a beach that allows dogs to run off-leash. If you can’t have fun with your four-legged buddy, what’s the point of taking them to the beach?
If you’re going on a trip away from home, it’s good to have contact details for emergency veterinary clinics in case your puppy runs into trouble. You also need to keep in mind that your trip might require more traveling than you expected. Therefore, you need to have driving breaks so your pup can use the bathroom and stretch.
2. A Big No to Sea Water
Your dog drinking seawater is one thing you’d surely want to avoid on the beach. Your four-legged buddy will happily drink salt water if they’re thirsty and don’t have access to fresh water. However, salt water is actually bad for your pup as the salt causes dehydration. Dogs do not know how dangerous this can be for their health. So, you need to ensure to take fresh water with you so your buddy can drink it when it’s thirsty.
You can find plenty of lightweight bowls that allow dogs to drink fresh water and stay hydrated. Your dog will love to drink fresh, clean water to quench their thirst.
If your does accidentally drink seawater, keep an eye on symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, or unstable feet to determine if your dog is sick and dehydrated. If your pup exhibits any of these signs, try to contact emergency clinics immediately for support.
3. Keep Your Dog in Shade
Dogs can suffer from heatstroke faster than human beings because of their fur coat. Besides offering fresh water, keeping your dog in the shade will give them relief from the scorching sun. If they have a shaded place to rest, they can cool down and reduce their body temperature if the day gets hotter.
There are multiple products you can pick to provide shelter to your buddy. A big, shady umbrella you can prop up near your resting spot is the easiest solution. Moreover, you can also consider sunshades and beach tents. These products are designed to deal with humidity and wind and are made to remain secured on the sand.
To offer further protection to your buddy, you can consider different sunscreens made especially for pets. However, you can also use sunscreen made for babies since it does not have zinc and is safe for your dog. If you are using pet sunscreen for your dog, pay special attention to ears, nose, back, and stomach.
4. Can Your ?
If you’re taking your four-legged buddy to the beach, you must first make sure they’re not scared of the water or beach in general. If you’re introducing your pup to the beach for the first time, make sure you do it slowly.
If your dog is not diving right into the water, do not force your pup to jump in. It might be better if you jump in the water first and call them in later. If you are unsure, it’s a good idea to bring dog life vest along with you.
Not every dog knows how to swim. Some breeds like Standard Poodles and Irish Setters are naturally best at swimming, while breeds like Bulldogs find it hard to swim in more than two inches of water.
Before going to the beach with your pup, let them get familiar with the water by training and practicing in a kiddy pool. In this way, your pup will feel comfortable diving in the water when you take them to the beach.
5. Be Aware of Beach Safety
Even if you are new to the pet thing, you must know that dogs tend to get into scrapes. Follow the tips below to mitigate the risk of injury or illness for your puppy:
• Before you let your buddy roam around the beach, make sure to clean the area so your pup does not eat or play with any sharp objects, such as cans, broken bottles, etc.
• Protect your friend’s paws by making them wear boots and goggles made for dogs for protection.
• Ensure your pup is wearing a collar with ID, including your contact details, every time you take them out. If your buddy gets separated from you, whoever finds your pup can contact you.
Final Words
To sum it up, taking your dog to the beach is a great way to enjoy the summer season to its fullest. However, without proper preparations and appropriate knowledge about beaches, you may ruin your trip. Hence, always remember these five things your beach dog wants you to know to give an amazing beach experience to your four-legged buddy.
by Bobby J Davidson
I love our companies and we love what we do. For more information on the Davidson Family of Companies, visit www.bobbydavidson.com/about. Sign up for my Newsletter at the bottom of this page.