Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach

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Ever thought of bring your buddy to the beach? (Common places in Singapore such as Tanjong Beach or East Coast Park)

Beach days can be a blast when you bring along paw kids, but taking them to the beach requires some preparation, know-how and a little common sense -- or should that be paw parent sense?

Anything that can harm you at the beach can also harm your dog, such as sunburn, riptides, jellyfish, broken glass, sharp shells and other aggressive dogs. But a beach day isn't supposed to be about worrying. Having a great day is easy when you know how to prepare for and prevent any potential mishaps. Read on for our best safety tips to help you and paw kids find fun and relaxation together in the beach under the sun, and on the sand.

In our tropical country, we have all year round of warm temperatures at the beach and this can actually pose a threat to a dog's health. Make sure that your dog has a shady retreat under a beach umbrella, tree or picnic bench.
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Bring plenty of fresh, cool water and a doggie bowl. Feed them periodically, and make sure that the water does not get hot in the sun.

Remember that the sand can be scorching on their sensitive paws, so provide a poncho or mat for your dog's comfort when he takes a break from the swimming and rubbing at the beach.
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Take caution on brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breeds, such as English bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, pugs, Pekinese and shih tzus, because they overheat more quickly than long-snouted dogs.

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It is essential to watch for signs of overheating in your paw kids, some examples include:
- Excessive/rapid panting and drooling
- Coordination problems
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
 
Do also look out for paw kids that are:

• Short-coated
• Light-colored
• Pink noses
• Hairless breeds

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They are more prone to sunburn the same way that humans do. Even dogs with thick coats may get a sunburned nose.
If you are worried about your little paw kid, you can find sunscreen made specifically for dogs online or at your local pet store. It is non-oily and contains ingredients that are safe for dogs.
Apply sunscreen to your dog's ears, nose, the inside of his back legs and anywhere else that receives direct sunlight. Reapply sunscreen after your dog takes a dip in the water.
Do not use sunscreen that contains zinc because it can be toxic to dogs if ingested and avoid sunscreens that contain fragrances.
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For hairless breeds, you may want to consider keeping a T-shirt on your dog while he's in the sun and always provide a shady resting spot.
While your dog is having his carefree splash in the sea, keep an eye out for beach hazards.
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The beach is fun, but it does come with hazards, such as ingesting questionable objects (and even ocean water), cuts and scrapes and even the potential for drowning.
Discourage your dog from drinking seawater by offering him fresh, cool, clean water, and by removing him from the water if you see him drink it. Seawater is a gastrointestinal irritant that can work as a laxative or cause vomiting and diarrhea.

If your dog is a puppy, hasn't learned to swim well or is a brachycephalic or a short-legged breed, consider giving him a doggie life jacket to wear so that he doesn't overtire himself in the water.
Always supervise any dog while he's in or near the water and be cautious of rip tides, and deep water.



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Salt water on a dog's skin and paws can be irritating and is naturally much more drying than freshwater. Any kind of repeated exposure to saltwater and/or intense heat or sun can lead to skin and coat issues down the road. So, a fresh-water rinse before leaving the beach or shortly after arriving home will help keep your dog comfy and his skin and coat healthy.

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If your dog is a puppy, hasn't learned to swim well or is a brachycephalic or a short-legged breed, consider giving him a doggie life jacket to wear so that he doesn't overtire himself in the water.
Always supervise any dog while he's in or near the water and be cautious of rip tides, and deep water.
Salt water on a dog's skin and paws can be irritating and is naturally much more drying than freshwater. Any kind of repeated exposure to saltwater and/or intense heat or sun can lead to skin and coat issues down the road. So, a fresh-water rinse before leaving the beach or shortly after arriving home will help keep your dog comfy and his skin and coat healthy.
 
It is important to wash your paw kid thoroughly after a day at the beach. Consider using shampoo consisting of oatmeal for their bath after a swim at the beach as it provides moisturizing and soothing benefits to their skin and coat. Additional conditioning should make it easier to brush your paw kid and keep them tangle-free following a bath.
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Finally, for your own peace of mind, bring a thick blanket and plenty of towels to line the car seat where your dog sits for the ride home. You don’t want to get your car all over with souvenirs of the beach of the sand! Your dog will probably fall asleep on the way home, your own reward for a fun, safe, happy beach day.