Essential Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach
The dos and don’ts of keeping your dog safe and happy at the beach.
This post may include affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my efforts in creating these posts!
Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun way for you and your dog to get exercise and fresh air together, as well as enjoy the sights and smells of the coastline. You can run in the sand, play fetch with a ball or frisbee, or splash around together in the water. But the beach can also be dangerous for dogs without first taking some precautions and knowing what to look out for. In this list, I’m covering the dos and don’ts to consider if you want to bring your dog to the beach, to help keep you and your pup happy and safe along the shore.
I live in walking distance to the beach, so I’m very familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of bringing my dog to the beach. While it’s usually a fun and exciting outing, there are definitely more things to be aware of and to look out for than when we go for a walk around the neighborhood or go to a local park. If you’ve recently moved near the coast or are visiting the beach on vacation, check out these ways to keep your dog safe and happy when you bring them to the beach.
Can I Bring My Dog to the Beach?
Yes, if dogs are allowed at that specific beach! Most beach rules can be found online, so look on the beach website for this information regarding bringing your dog to the beach:
- The dates dogs are allowed on the beach (many beaches only allow dogs in late fall, winter, and early spring)
- If there are any time restrictions for dogs (some beaches only allow dogs outside of lifeguard hours during the summer, in the morning and evening)
- Are leashes required?
Dos: Tips & Safety When Bringing Your Dog to the Beach
These are things you should do or keep in mind when you bring your dog to the beach in order to have a fun and safe time for everyone.
Do choose a dog-friendly beach, and know before you go
Before you head out, make sure the beach you’re planning to go to actually allows dogs. It would be a bummer to get there and have to turn around. Find out the dates, times, and leash requirements when bringing your dog to the beach.
Do avoid going during the hottest part of the day
Dogs can easily get heat stroke, especially on sunny, hot days. The beach has strong sun, so avoid bringing your dog to the beach during the hottest part of the day, which is usually the middle of the day. It’s best to stick to the mornings and evenings during hot months, and check the temperature before you go.
Signs of a dog overheating: excessive panting, lethargy, vomiting, and drooling. If you notice these signs and suspect heat stroke, try to cool your dog immediately — move them to the shade, give them water, put on the air conditioning in the car and head to the vet because this is a medical emergency.
Do bring plenty of water and a water bowl
Make sure you have plenty of water with you, since your dog will get thirsty from running around. A collapsible water bowl is easy and convenient to bring along. It’s also good to have extra water in case your dog needs an emergency rinse-off, like from being stung by a jellyfish or getting sand in their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Do bring toys
If your dog goes wild for a ball or frisbee, it can be fun to play on the beach.
Do provide shade
If you’re going to be at the beach for longer than just a quick walk or play session, you’ll need to provide your dog with shade from an umbrella or a tent. Dogs can overheat and dehydrate quickly in the sun and it will become a dangerous situation. Also consider bringing a cooling mat for your dog to rest on in the shade, but never take your dog to the beach if it’s too hot out.
Do put a collar on your dog
For your dog’s safety, they should never be outside without a collar. Not only does a collar help your dog to be reunited with you if they were to get lost by having your contact information on the tag, it also gives you a way to hold on to your dog if you need to. When bringing your dog to the beach, you could even have have them wear a GPS tracking collar or an AirTag (which is only useful if someone with an iPhone is within a certain distance) for added protection if they run off.
Do consider using a long line
If your dog doesn’t have perfect recall, I don’t recommend letting them off-leash even if leashes aren’t required. Dogs can get super excited at the beach and take off, especially when seeing something they want to chase, like sea gulls. How would you catch up to your dog if they bolted down the beach? Instead, consider using a long line leash, so your dog can still run around but you’re able to control how far.
Do have your dog wear a dog life jacket
If your dog isn’t a strong swimmer, is a new swimmer, or you just want added safety, put them in a dog life jacket. You should also never leave them unattended in the water, because rip currents can be strong and invisible.
Do keep your dog from eating anything
Eating sand isn’t good for dogs, and can block their intestines, requiring emergency surgery. Also look out for your dog eating seaweed (they can get seaweed poisoning) or shells with dead creatures in them. My dog has eaten small amounts of all of these things, and all resulted in sickness, so I can’t imagine if a dog ate a larger amount.
Do put dog-safe sunscreen on your dog, if needed
Dogs with short fur, white or light colored coats can get a sunburn or skin cancer, just like humans. Look into using a dog-safe sunscreen, at the minimum on their nose and ears, if your dog meets this description. Make sure it’s a dog-safe sunscreen, because other sunscreen can be toxic to dogs. You can also talk with your vet about keeping your dog safe from sun exposure.
Do rinse off your dog when you’re done
At the beach rinsing station or when you get home, rinse all of the salt water and sand off of your dog, especially a thorough rinsing of their paws and belly. Salt water and sand can be irritating to dogs’ paws and skin.
Do bring towels
You’ll want to wipe off as much water and sand as possible when you’re heading home. Towels are also useful to have for your dog to lie down on in the shade.
Do protect your car’s interior
There’s no avoiding getting a sandy dog at the beach, so put down towels, a blanket, or a backseat hammock if you want to protect the inside of your car.
Related: 15 Cute Coastal Dog Bowls That Will Complement Your Coastal Home Decor
Don’ts: Tips & Safety When Bringing Your Dog to the Beach
These are things you should avoid when you bring your dog to the beach in order to have a fun and safe time for everyone.
Don’t make your dog walk on hot sand
Hold your hand on the sand for a moment and see if it’s hot — if it is, then your dog’s paws will burn, so you need to avoid walking on it. If you go to the beach in early morning or evening this probably won’t be a concern, but on a hot day, keep your dog off of hot sand where they can burn their paw pads. Walk near the water where the sand is wet and much cooler. You should also provide a towel or blanket for them to lie on if the sand is hot.
Don’t let your dog go in the water if it’s too rough
Water currents can be strong at the beach, putting both your dog and you at risk for being swept away. Don’t allow this tragedy to happen by keeping your dog out of the water if the waves are rough or if there is a rip tide warning. It’s safest to stay in calm, shallow water.
Don’t force your dog to swim if they don’t want to
Some dogs take a while to get used to the water, and that’s okay, they can still have loads of fun on the beach. Swimming doesn’t come naturally to all dogs, so stay with them when they’re in the water, and make sure they’re wearing something you can grab onto without choking them, like a harness or a dog life jacket with a handle.
Don’t let your dog drink salt water
Don’t let your dog drink salt water, as it can make them sick with throwing up and/or diarrhea, and will dehydrate them.
Don’t let your dog approach wildlife
A dead jellyfish washed up on the shore can still sting. And don’t let your dog approach birds, because while this might seem like harmless fun, dogs and people are actually the biggest threat to shorebirds, who may be nesting or resting. When your dog scares off a bird, they might get separated from their eggs or their babies, leaving them vulnerable to predators who have been waiting for an opportunity.
Don’t let your dog go on the sand dunes
Sand dunes play a critical role in protecting coastal areas from erosion and storm surge, as well as providing a safe place for nesting shorebirds. By staying off of the dunes, you’ll help protect fragile wildlife habitats and ensure these natural barriers can continue safeguarding coastal communities.
Don’t forget to pick up after your dog
No one wants to be walking on the beach barefoot and step in a pile of dog poop. Please be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your dog.
Don’t forget to consider your dog’s preferences
Not every dog likes other dogs running up to them, jumping on them, or barking at them, which is totally understandable. Going to a dog-friendly beach is like going to a dog park. Even if leashes are required, there’s always the possibility of an irresponsible dog owner letting their dog run up to your dog off-leash. These are also the owners who let their dog off-leash with no recall, so there’s probably zero chance they can successfully call their dog back. I don’t want to be negative, but to warn that this is a possibility. If you have a reactive dog, the beach might not be the best place to go if they would find this scenario upsetting.
Related: Coastal Dog Beds That Will Look Great in Your Beachy Home
Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun and positive outing for both you and your pup. Experiencing the sights, smells, and environment of the beach is exciting and a great way to bond.
There are also more dangers to be aware of when you bring your dog to the breach, from swimming hazards, to ingestible hazards like sand, seaweed, dead sea creatures, and salt water. Your dog could also get overly excited and take off, out of sight. By being aware of these things, you can plan ahead, keeping your dog safe and healthy.
Whether you live by the coast or are visiting on a beach vacation, a trip to the beach can be relaxing and enjoyable, so of course you want to experience it with your furry friend. By making sure your dog will have fun and be safe, you’ll keep your beach walks and playtime fun and worry-free.
Save These Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach for Later
Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back this list of essential tips for taking your dog to the beach. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration.
Essential Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach
Have you brought your dog to the beach before, or are you considering bringing your dog to the beach for the first time? Share in the comments.
