Sun, sea, sand and… safety
Beaches are great fun, but they can be quite risky for our pooches! Here are some things to consider before taking your pet out to the beach.
Is the beach pet-friendly?
Whichever beach you’re heading to, do some research before you go to make sure your dog will be allowed in.
Do you have everything you need?
You’ll need plenty of drinking water, toys, treats and of course, poop bags! Dogs can get overexcited at the beach; toys and treats will help to get them to return to you if they get carried away or wander off too far.
Does your dog like water?
If they don’t, it’s best to be aware of this before trying to coax them into the sea. If they do, keep an eye on the water. If it’s awash with discarded food or strange objects, consider picking another spot!
Watch out for jellyfish
Take extra care if you’re visiting a beach where jellyfish are prominent. Don’t let your pet go too far into the water and keep your eyes open at all times.
If your dog is stung, the sea water will do a great job of slowing the spread of the toxin, but we always advise bringing them to the vets ASAP to have the sting checked over.
Steer clear of wasps
Wasps love discarded food, so keep your dog away from it as best you can. Use treats and toys to distract them.
If they’re stung, we recommend visiting a vet as soon as you can to have the sting checked over.
Beware of sharp objects
It never hurts to keep a first aid kit in the car. It’s also worth checking for vets near the beach you’re visiting, just in case.
Take extra care to avoid fish hooks too. These can easily get caught in your dog’s mouth or damage their digestive tract if swallowed. If you notice that your dog has swallowed a discarded fish hook, contact us or your nearest emergency care provider right away.
The dangers of salt water & discarded food
Too much salt water can be very dangerous to your dog. Bring your own water with you and offer it to your dog regularly to prevent them getting too thirsty. The same goes for discarded food. High-fat and high-sugar foods are very popular at the beach, and these are bad for our dogs…especially when mouldy and covered in sand and salt water.
Has your dog had too much sun?
Along with making sure your dog has lots of water, don’t forget to take regular shade and comfort breaks too! If your dog has white, pale or thin fur, invest in some special dog-friendly sun cream to prevent them from getting sunburn.
Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include:
- Fast, heavy breathing or panting
- A bright red tongue
- Sticky gums
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Pressing their head to the wall
- Circling
- General restlessness
- Dizziness – they may appear lethargic, drowsy or slow
If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, treat this as a medical emergency and contact us right away. If you’ve travelled far from home, contact your nearest emergency care provider.
And finally…
Bearing all of our safety tips in mind, we hope you and your dogs have a lovely time at the beach this summer!
