Tips For the Perfect Dog Day at the Beach

Who doesn’t love a perfect beach day? The sun is beaming down, the waves are heaving and sighing as they lap at the golden shoreline, and the sea breeze is beckoning you with its gentle caress. The only thing that would make it perfect is having your best friend by your side. What’s that—it’s entirely possible? You heard that right! In fact, the beach can be the perfect day out for your pup. It’s likely less work than bringing them along on an extended day trip or holiday. If you’re taking your dog to the beach, always remember safety first. And, of course, you’ll need to stuff that doggy bag with all their beach essentials! Read on to learn about beach safety for dogs, and everything you’ll need to entertain dogs on a beach.

1. Do your research ⭐

Think you can just pick any old beach on the map and go? Think again. If you’re no stranger to travelling with dogs, then you’re likely familiar with thinking ahead. Not all beaches are going to be dog-friendly, and the last thing you’ll want is to pull up to a No Dogs Allowed sign.

To avoid this very unfortunate oversight, do some prior research. Check your selected beach is dog-friendly, and even if it is, it never hurts to check the policies surrounding canine visitors. Are there certain times of the day or year where dogs are forbidden? What are the leash laws surrounding doggo beach time? Are dogs permitted off-lead? Be sure to check ahead of time and you’ll be good to go.

2. Pack the doggy bag ⭐

Just as you’d need to pack a beach bag for a child, you’ll need to have your dog’s beach essentials covered. No one likes the smell of wet dog, so ensure to bring along some extra towels. You’ll also need to bring a beach umbrella (to ensure doggy gets some shade), doggy sunscreen (yes, this is a thing that exists on the market), and a spray bottle. In this instance, it’s not to discipline your dog per se, but rather to regulate their temperature.

For further beach essentials and beyond, look no further than the Stylish Hound online store. Running about on the beach—taking in the salty beach air—is thirsty work, so ensure to bring plenty of fresh water. We have you covered with our Travel Water Bottles, available in four different colors. These 300-milliliter receptacles are BPA-free, spill-proof (thanks to its lockable feature), and slide out like a doggy bowl. They’re the perfect accessory for a long walk—or a day at the beach.

Of course, poop happens, so you should ensure to bring some poop bags with you as well. This is especially prudent at the beach, as the sand is a free-for-all. You would hate for an unsuspecting child to dig up a dog poop with their spade, dumping it into their otherwise untainted sand bucket. Not only would this be disgusting, but it would also be hazardous. Dog poop contains toxins and very unfriendly bacteria. If you love Mother Earth as much as your dog does, you should invest in our biodegradable poop bags. Made from corn starch instead of plastic, these bags will decompose in your home compost within three months. They are also available in different designs and colours. We tend to recommend buying our 60-pack, but these bags also come in packs of 30, 120, and 240. What’s the best value buy, in your opinion?

Is the perfect dog day at the beach really complete without dog toys? If you’ve hauled your hound this far, the least you can do is reward them with a game of fetch or tug-of-war! For a game of fetch, there’s always ye faithful, spit-drenched tennis ball. For tug-of-war, we recommend our tug toys! Available in three different designs, our tug toys are made from food-grade, non-toxic rubber. Though not indestructible, these toys are super tough and go down well with rough ‘n’ tough chewers. They also appeal to a dog’s favourite sense—smell—and carry a delicious vanilla scent. Try one out with your pooch! Just ensure they don’t get the wrong end of the tug toy. The rope is intended for human use only, and if this rope and your dog’s teeth were in a fight—the former would win. Ensure they bite on the rubber part only!

3. Be your dog’s personal lifeguard ⭐

Lifeguards are there to protect human life, but the jury’s still out on whether lifesaving services extend to canines. Regardless, you should always keep an eye on your dog—especially when you’re in an unstructured environment like the beach. On the outstretched sand, there are no paths to regulate movement. Your pooch will likely view it as one big, sandy backyard! Fun as it is, the beach can be a dangerous place. There can be dangerous sea life washed ashore, such as jellyfish or pufferfish, and dogs may unsuspectedly step on these—or worse, try to eat them. 

As you would for a small child, keep an eye on dogs when the ocean is involved. If your dog is not a strong swimmer, this goes double. You should also keep watch to ensure they behave themselves. We wouldn’t want them sneaking up on a child, chasing seagulls, or trying to tuck into someone else’s lunch! The beach is full of stimuli, and dogs have no filter, so always be careful. Whip out the leash if you feel you need to.

4. Be uber prepared when it comes to safety ⭐

Of course, it goes without saying that your dog should have their ID tag(s) and microchip up to date—especially if you’re travelling far from home. Ensure their vaccinations are current, and ensure to have your vet’s number handy—just to be on the safe side (see above regarding dangerous sea life). Also, be mindful of your dog’s limits. Dogs will tire after a few hours of physical activity, so it wouldn’t hurt to put a time limit on your dog day at the beach.

5. Be mindful of extreme beach temperatures ⭐

Beaches can be hotbeds of hot sand featuring chillingly cold oceans. There is scope for temperature extremes at both ends of the spectrum, so keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke or hypothermia. Signs of the former include panting, a red tongue, thick and sticky saliva, and gastrointestinal issues. If your dog is exhibiting these symptoms, get them some shade and bring down their temperature with cool water (use that spray bottle to cover their whole body). It can also help to apply cold towels to the head, neck, and chest, and to let them drink water in small amounts. Once you’ve made them more comfortable, take them to the nearest vet. 

Ready, set…

All systems go! Now that we’ve got that safety spiel out of the way, it’s time to plan the perfect dog day at the beach. How long will you stay? What will you bring? What fun activities do you have planned for you and your pooch? Wherever you’re going—and whatever you’re doing—we know you’ll play it safe and have a blast! From digging sandy holes to playing ball—catching a wave to taking a seaside stroll—beaches are like one large playground for dogs. Be mindful of our top tips and keep your doggy equipment handy—be it one of our stylish leads or a totally adorable dog swim jacket! What a fun way to spend quality time with your best pal.

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