BEACH SAFETY FOR DOGS

The beach is a wonderful place to relax, get some vitamin D, go for a swim and enjoy nature. Beach trips are even more fun with our fur-babies!

Here are some of our beach tips to help you have a fun day at the beach with your dog.

Finding a dog friendly beach:

It is important to check that the beach you want to visit is dog friendly and if it allows them to be off-lead and if there are any time restrictions associated. Here is a list of the top 11 dog friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast, as voted by dog owners.

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/experiences/beaches/best-dog-beaches-sunshine-coastallowed in children's playgrounds or picnic/barbecue areas.

What to bring: 

• Water – Your dog needs free access to fresh cool water

• How does your pet drink? Some pets are ok to drink out of a tap or a pouring bottle, others are not. Get to know your pet’s preference.

• Shade! Planning a day, find a nice shady spot, bring an umbrella / gazebo so you both can be sun smart. A wet towel can also be a nice cool place for them to lie on.

• Help them cool down! Some pets love to jump in the water to cool down but others may not, especially, if there are waves. There are cooling vests available or you could try pouring a small amount of cool water over them.

  
  

When to go:

It is best to avoid the beach during the hottest part of the day. Dogs are extremely prone to heat stress which can be life-threatening. If you can’t touch the sand or concrete with the back of your hand for 15 seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog’s feet. The best time to go is early in the morning or late afternoon. You could even catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Extra caution is needed when taking certain pets to the beach:

• Overweight pets

•  if your pet is overweight, they are more prone to heat stress/exhaustion. It doesn’t mean they can’t go to the beach, Avoid the hot part of the day, start with small, slow walks initially and then build up to longer walks. Watch for lethargy, excessive panting and if this occurs it’s time to stop no matter how much distance has been covered.

• Brachycephalic (short-nosed pets)

As humans, we sweat to reduce our body temperature. Dogs are unable to sweat and need to pant to cool down. In short-nosed dogs, this ability is hampered and can easily cause them to overheat. They need small amounts of exercise in cool climates. In Queensland with our hot temperatures and high humidity it’s not surprising that they can struggle when exercising. A bad sign is if their panting starts to become very loud. Brachycephalic breeds include (but are not limited to) French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Mastiffs, English Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Griffons, Pekingese and Boxers.

• Arthritis 

While swimming is great for pets with arthritis, the soft sand can be very difficult for them to walk in and can cause pain. This may not show up until later that day or even the next day. Take it slow and limit it to small excursions with minimal soft sand where possible.

• Skin prone to sunburn. 

White skin or furless skin needs to be protected just like with us humans!

Keep them out of the sun, otherwise you can look at doggy sunscreen and sun shirts (just be careful they don’t overheat in a rashie!)   

Dog beach etiquette

• Lots of people like to take their pet to the beach so if your pet isn’t confident around other dogs pick quiet times of the day so they are not overwhelmed.

• It is important that your dog has good recall even when distractions are about. This is to ensure they don’t cause problems to other beach users.

• If you're at a dog off-leash area and there is a dog on-leash, it is important you don’t allow your dog to say hi to that dog as the owner is responsibly demonstrating that they don’t think it is safe for their dog to be off lead.

Ball time 

Most dogs just love to chase a ball. Things to keep in mind:

• No furry balls (tennis balls) as these can attract too much sand. This is a problem as sand ingestion can cause lots of problems like vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and in some rare cases an obstruction! The constant chewing on a sandy ball can also wear down their teeth.

• Choose a ball that doesn’t take up the entire space of their mouth when they carry it. This allows them to pant around the ball. It does need to be big enough that it can’t be swallowed.

• There are some balls that float. This will ensure that you don’t lose them in the water!

• Owners need to make sure that their dogs are not likely to resource-guard toys as other dogs may want to come and play. If your dog is likely to resource-guard then it’s better they don’t have toys at the beach.

• Dogs can often keep going and going and can overheat themselves so give them regular breaks (even though they can be very persistent!)

• Try to remember to bring a ball and don’t rely on a stick they find. Sticks can be dangerous as they can puncture your dog’s mouth or throat.

Hazards at the Beach

• Sand - if ingested.

• Salt water - if ingested in medium to large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

• Sun – overheating, burns from hot sand or concrete

• Aspiration (inhaling) of sea water while playing in the waves or swimming can lead to pneumonia.

  
  

Post-Beach Tips

Washing 

• Bath time! – this is to remove all the sand and salt water from their coat.

• If your dog has a skin sensitivity it is best to talk to your veterinarian about the right washing regime for them.

• Generally, we don’t recommend a complete wash more often than every two weeks as it can strip the natural oils in the coat.

• If they don’t have any skin conditions Dermcare Natural shampoo or Dermcare Aloveen shampoo and conditioner should be sufficient.

• Towel dry off your dog. Now it’s time to put your feet up!

Remember these tips for your next beach visit and enjoy your fun outing together!