A day at the coast is one of life’s simplest joys, especially when shared with our four-legged friends. Finding a holiday that's suitable for dogs is a key factor for our guests when booking a coastal break. And whilst it may be easy to find dog-friendly beaches near where you're staying, it's important to remember that staying safe at the beach is a priority for you and your pooch.
Alongside the salty air and sandy paws come hidden hazards that can turn a carefree walk into a trip to the vet. From unpredictable tides to sensitive marine wildlife and beach-specific bylaws, staying safe means staying informed. That's why we've teamed up with Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald and the RNLI to unpack the key safety tips for beach-going dogs and raise awareness around keeping safe when heading to the coast with your pooch.
Read on and then take your dogs on the beach, safe in the knowledge that you're armed with the latest beach safety advice.
Skip to:
Coastal safety from Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald
Dr Emma holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and Science from the University of Surrey, as well as an MSc in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter. She specialises in canine health, behaviour and quality of life in both healthy dogs and those with chronic conditions. Here's her advice:
The dangers of saltwater
Seawater contains salt, which isn’t good for our dogs to ingest. Dogs may be tempted to have a big drink of seawater when thirsty, but drinking too much can lead to salt poisoning (salt toxicosis).
Dogs also risk swallowing seawater when swimming in the sea, especially when playing fetch. How much is too much for your dog can depend on their size. A rough guide is a cup of seawater per pound of body weight, but this can be hard to judge, especially when your dog’s running in and out frequently and swimming a lot.
Try to limit the amount of time your dog spends in the water. If possible, play fetch on the beach instead of in the sea, or limit the amount of time your dog plays fetch in the sea to a few minutes.
Always have fresh water on hand and provide them a drink after playing in the sea to help flush the excess salt from their system. The first sign your dog is beginning to take in too much seawater is it will make them thirsty. Therefore, if you see your dog trying to drink the seawater, make sure they drink your fresh water instead and end the sea play session.
Common signs your dog has ingested too much include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, and increased urination.
More severe symptoms include lethargy, confusion, muscle tremors, seizures, and even death, so it is important to seek veterinary care for your dog to be put on a drip when these symptoms occur.
Protecting your dog from the sun
It’s important to make sure you keep an eye on how long your dog is in the sun, especially if they’re doing lots of running around. Ensure your dog gets plenty of rest stops in the shade with fresh water to drink to prevent heatstroke.
If your dog has a thin coat, no fur, or very white fur, consider using pet-safe sunscreen to protect their skin from burning. Only use dog-friendly versions! Human sunscreen can be toxic for dogs.
Test a small amount of dog-safe sunscreen on them first to double-check they won’t have an allergic reaction. Then you can apply it to exposed areas, such as their ears and the bridge of their nose. You might have to apply it all over for furless breeds. Make sure you reapply every few hours, especially after your dog goes swimming.
Dehydration signs
Warning signs that your dog is beginning to overheat include excessive drooling and panting, lethargy, difficulty breathing and gums changing colour.
If your dog also starts to vomit, become lethargic, has trouble breathing, seems disoriented or collapses, these are signs of heatstroke and immediate veterinary attention is required.
If your dog is showing signs of lethargy, excessive drinking, dry and sticky gums, sunken eyes and losing skin elasticity when pinched, this indicates your dog is dehydrated.
How to help stressed and overexcited dogs
Dogs can become stressed and overaroused when in a beach environment, especially for the first time. This is due to a sensory overload from all the new smells, sights and sounds ( a dog’s senses are more sensitive than ours).
It can make them over-excited or very timid and stressed. Signs your dog is overaroused typically include hyperactivity, excessive zoomies, forgetting their training, excessive barking, mouthing and even aggressive behaviours. Signs of stress usually include excessive panting, trembling, tail tucked under them, pacing, reluctance to walk or take treats, and excessive barking.
Although the beach may be overwhelming at first, with positive reinforcement and a few gentle and short trips, your dog will soon get used to all the excitement of a beach trip.
Watch out for natural hazards
There are a number of natural hazards to our dogs to be aware of on our beaches.
Washed-up marine life can seem an appealing snack to some dogs, but these can be poisonous and can cause an upset stomach if eaten. Marine creatures, such as jellyfish, can also cause painful stings, and others, like seals, can bite. It is safest to keep your dog away from any marine life.
Blue-green algae can also occur in the sea. Check local reports for any confirmed cases in the area and avoid areas which smell like bad eggs and have brown foam present.
Smelly seaweed will be attractive for your dog to investigate, but try not to let them eat any. Although these can be a natural and beneficial treat for them when purchased from a pet shop, seaweed found on a beach can cause stomach upsets for your dog and risk causing gut blockages. They are also unclean with potentially toxic chemicals on them, such as oil from oil spills at sea.
Another natural beach hazard is the sand itself. The hot sand may burn their paws on very hot days. Also, if dogs eat or accidentally swallow too much sand, it can cause an upset stomach and risk causing intestinal blockages. Additionally, if they do this too often, it can wear down their teeth. Avoid using toys that pick up too much sand, like fuzzy balls, and monitor them when they dig and play in the sand to ensure they’re not eating any.
Submerged sharp objects can be dangerous
Sharp objects such as broken glass, litter or fishing hooks could be hidden in the sand. These, along with sharp shells and pebbles, can pose a danger of cutting a dog’s paws.
Sticking to popular dog-friendly beaches can help to find areas that are well-maintained. If you’re concerned, you can give your dog booties to wear to give their paws a layer of protection.
Post beach dog care
After a fun day at the beach with your dog, it’s important to care for their skin and digestion. Give them a good rinse off with fresh water, especially on their paws, ears, and underbelly, to remove sand and salt.
Leaving it could cause irritation and could risk being ingested. If they’ve been swimming in the sea, make sure to clean their ears so they don’t get any infections from water being left in the ear canal.
You could also apply balm to their paws and nose, which might be a little dry from the salt. And don’t forget to encourage your dog to have a good drink of clean water to refresh their system and prevent dehydration.
Tips from the RNLI
The RNLI says:
Our crews have rescued dogs from all sorts of places! We’re happy to rescue your four-legged friends – especially if it stops you from getting into trouble too. So, please remember these tips to keep your dog – and yourself – safe...
- When you’re at the coast, always keep your dog on a lead when walking close to cliff edges or near fast-flowing water.
- If your dog swims too far out in the water or gets stuck in mud on the beach, don't go after them. Move to a place they can get to safely, and call them – they'll probably get out on their own.
- If your dog does get into trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard straight away. Don’t put yourself at risk by going into the water after them.
Stay safe with your dog on the beach
You may well have asked yourself, 'Can I take my dog to the beach?' in the past.
Well, now that you're equipped with all this knowledge from well-versed experts, there's no doubt that you'll spot a hazard before your pup does.
The UK and Ireland are crammed with dog-friendly beaches; stay at one of our dog-friendly cottages and discover your (and your pup's) favourite stretch of sand.
Emma Scales-Theobald PhD MSc
A canine behaviour and nutrition consultant who provides regular expert advice to Canine Cottages on the subjects of canine health and behaviour. She holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and Science from the University of Surrey, as well as an MSc in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.