When the weather starts heating up, our minds immediately run to the beach. Sand, sun, and salty water, it's all we need. However, when one of your family members is furry and four-legged, this pleasant activity can turn into a complex task.
Taking dogs to the beach requires patience and planning. In order for the whole family to spend a nice relaxed day, you need to plan ahead.
6 Tips for taking dogs to the beach
-
Bottled water/Bowl: Hydration is key on summer days, especially if your pup is going to spend the whole day running in the sun. Make sure to take enough water with you. Remember that like humans, dogs can’t drink seawater.
-
A beach umbrella: Spending hours in the sun can be super harmful to dogs, just like it is for humans. Provide him with a shaded place to rest in case he feels like it.
-
Sunscreen for dogs: Get him waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Depending on the length and type of coat, some dogs need to wear more sunscreen than others, but all in all, you need to make sure to cover all the parts of their body where pigmentation is lighter. Their nose, the skin around the lips, ear tips, inner thighs. Make sure the sunscreen of your choice is zinc-free and non-toxic since probably your pup will end up licking some of it.
-
Dog poop bags: This is an absolute must for every stroll you take. Your dog can poop anywhere and it is your responsibility as a pet owner to clean it up and leave the place like nothing ever happened. Our compostable dog poop bags are your best allies to clean your pup’s disposals while taking care of the environment.
-
Treats/toys: They are the most effective tool to catch your dog’s attention and lower his anxiety when he becomes too excited. Nobody knows your dog better than you, so you know that chewable toy he loves or that favorite treat he can’t resist? Take it with you!
- First-aid kit: When you change your dog’s daily scenario, you need to take with you a first-aid kit in case anything happens. Stepping on glass or a shell are common accidents on the beach and they require a first-aid kit. So, just like you carry band-aids and pills with you, prepare a small kit for your pet.
One of the most important tips for taking dogs to the beach is carrying his ID tag. It doesn’t matter if you are at home, at the beach, or at the park. Your dog needs to carry his ID tag everywhere.
Dog-friendly beaches
All over the country, you can find diverse dog-friendly beaches. Here are some of them:
- Canine beach and A1A dog walking beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami (almost every part of the state of Florida has at least one beach where dogs are allowed).
- Cannon beach, Oregon (where is held the Oregon corgi beach day).
- Carmel beach and Huntington dog beach, LA, California.
- Fort Funston, San Francisco, California.
- Surfside beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts.
- Willard beach, Maine.
- Cristal coast beach, North Carolina.
- Coligny beach park, South Carolina.
- South padre island, Texas.
