Before You Take Your Dog to the Beach

Tips for a safe summer trip!

Nothing says summer more than a beach trip! If you’ve been planning one with your friends or family, why not take your dog along with you? And since we’re all about health and safety here at SPC, we compiled a few reminders to prepare for an unforgettable time with your newest beach buddy! 

1. Pick a pet-friendly beach 

Even before you leave for your beach trip, we highly recommend double-checking if your destination is pet-friendly and if they have specific requirements for pets! 

2. Avoid the hottest part of the day 

No pet (or pet parent) wants to experience walking on sand in the most scorching heat! To stay cool for your beach summer, try timing your visit during the cooler parts of the day: the mornings or the late afternoons. 

3. Watch out for too much saltwater 

While swimming at the beach can be healthy for your dog, it’s important to monitor their saltwater intake. Drinking a lot of saltwater can unfortunately make your dog sick––but there are ways to keep them safe and healthy. 

First, make sure to take breaks away from the water every few minutes. It’s advised that dogs only stay in the water for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time. Second, have your dog drink fresh water in between swims! 

4. Don’t force your dog to swim 

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not all natural swimmers. Pushing a dog into the water will not necessarily trigger their natural swimming instinct where they’ll learn to paddle right away. In fact, rushing your dog might even make them scared of the water. 

Start your pet off slowly. Prior to leaving, you can test their comfortability with water by making them try with a kiddie pool. When you get to the beach, spend time with them by the shoreline and see if they’re interested in playing with the water. If they want to go closer, then ease them into the shallow parts of the ocean. 

5. Wash and clean up after your pet 

After a successful beach trip, the first thing on a pet parent agenda is to rinse your pet. Giving your pet a good wash removes any sand, salt, or dirt that might have caught on their coat. 

To keep our beautiful beaches clean, always remember to pick up your dog’s waste. We can only keep spaces pet-friendly for all pets by doing our part as responsible pet owners.

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