The beach is one of the attractions of summer and a compelling reason to choose our holiday destination. But, before deciding, many pet parents often wonder if they can take their dog to the beach and if the leisure plan is convenient for him (remember that older dogs or dogs with certain health problems are more sensitive to suffering a stroke). heat). Before stepping on the sand with our dog, we must know how to prepare for a day of sand and sea with him to comply with the regulations and that he enjoys all the necessary care, not only during his time on the beach, but also upon his return to home.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, we must find out if the chosen beach allows dogs during the summer season. The decision to prohibit or not animals on public beaches is usually due to a hygienic-sanitary reason. The objective would be to limit the possible spread of zoonotic diseases, that is, those that can be transmitted from animals to people and for which prevention is key. This is the case of infections caused by flea and tick bites and ringworm, among others.
Therefore, depending on the chosen destination we can find more or less restrictive regulations, which will depend on each Autonomous Community and its municipal ordinances. It will surely be useful to know that the Red Canina portal updates the list of ideal Spanish beaches for pet parents and their dogs every year. And it is that, fortunately, there are more and more beaches enabled within the national scope, so it will be difficult for us not to find a coastal area where we can go with our dog on vacation.
Before a day at the beach, along with our documentation, we must also take our dog’s card or identification document with us. It is not mandatory but it is very convenient to avoid possible access problems to a specific place. In the same way, we should be proactive and, even if our dog has a chip, put a collar with his name and our data, to facilitate contact in case of loss. We must not forget that we will be outdoors in an open space and that, despite our attention, we could get lost and lose sight of it.
Then, in the same way that we equip ourselves to withstand the sun and heat, we must also do it thinking about the well-being of our dog. In the beach bag you will have to reserve a space for your towel, a drinker and feeder, a bottle of fresh water (which will be very useful to fill the drinker or refresh affected areas of your skin), a toy, biodegradable bags to collect their droppings and sunscreens suitable for dogs, whether in spray or cream format. Do not forget: if we apply sunscreen at home to avoid burning our skin, we must not forget to apply it to our dog, especially in those parts less protected by hair and with less pigment.
Do not forget that the sand and asphalt near the beach can be very hot and cause discomfort when walking. Therefore, it is advisable to use pad protectors if it is not possible to walk in the shade or on wet sand. If we also bring a towel, our dog can lie on top and avoid direct contact with the hot sand, as well as hang out and be entertained with a toy that we bring from home. And if we do not have a parasol, it will always be advisable to find a shady area so that you can take shelter from the sun and heat.
Shade will help keep his body temperature from rising excessively, but to prevent him from suffering heat stroke, moisten his hair often with clean, cool water, and avoid intense exercise during the hottest hours. and encourage him to drink water, will be key. In any case, it is necessary to avoid drinking sea water, since the intake of salt water can cause serious intoxication. If we see him doing it or he presents symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, apathy or seizures, we must go to the vet as soon as possible.
Another resource for our dog to be less hot —and also to have fun— is to let him bathe in the sea if he enjoys it (if he doesn’t like it, don’t force him). Before doing so, we must make sure that he is in an area near the shore, where there is not much current and he can feel safe standing. However, we know that sometimes jellyfish come to the beach, so it will be necessary to avoid coming into contact with them, since some are very stinging and can cause strong allergies, similar to those generated by the pine processionary moth.
After our day at the beach, we must remove the sand and salt impregnated in its hair with fresh water, especially between its toes, its eyes and ears. When you get home, a bath with dog shampoo will be ideal so that the remains of sand are completely gone and that their hair looks cleaner and healthier, while for cleaning the ears and eyes, specific products will have to be used. In fact, both salt and sand are irritating and can cause damage to the auricle and external auditory canal, so we must check that there is no sand left in the ear (to find out how to properly clean the ears ask your your vet). Finally, the cleaning session will end with one last step: applying moisturizing cream to the pads when dry, which will help regenerate skin damaged by the heat of the sand and prepare it for another day at the beach.
Going to the beach with our dog can be a very fun experience for the whole family, as long as we take their needs into account and prepare so that the sun, heat and sand are not a bother for them. We must first check if the beach we want to go to admits the presence of dogs and its rules, and be clear that, like humans, our dog will need a shaded space and hydrate with fresh water.
