Bringing your pet to the beach may be a fun experience for everyone. Pets get to explore a new area and even swim, while owners get to spend quality time with their pets and bond with them.
It is critical to be prepared whenever you intend to take your pet out in public. It is especially important to know whether beaches allow pets and what laws apply. Here’s all you need to know about pet-friendly beaches to help you prepare.
What Exactly Are Pet-Friendly Beaches?
Pet-friendly beaches are those that welcome pets. They could be near an ocean, a lake, a river, or another body of water.
Pet-friendly beaches typically have particular rules. These may include rules governing whether pets are allowed off-leash, whether they can swim, whether they must wear a rabies tag or other proof of vaccination, and whether they are only permitted on the beach during specific hours or seasons.
These restrictions are frequently restricted to dogs, the most common pet brought to the beach by owners, but you may be able to find feline-friendly beaches or beaches that welcome other types of pets.
Beaches That Accept Pets
When it comes to pet-friendly beaches, they normally fall into two categories: year-round pet-friendly beaches and seasonally pet-friendly beaches.
Pet-friendly beaches that are open all year, such as Huntington Dog Beach in California, enable owners to bring their pets regardless of the season and generally without time limitations.
Pets are normally not allowed on seasonal pet-friendly beaches during the summer or other touristy or busy seasons. They may also impose time limitations and either prohibit or compel pets to be on leashes during specific hours.
Pet-Friendly Beaches Locations
Pet-friendly beaches abound, and you don’t have to live on the coast to find them. State parks are popular inland sites for pet-friendly beaches. Because there are often trails, hiking, and other activities to enjoy, these can be great places to visit with dogs.
There are numerous online sites available to help you locate a pet-friendly beach near you. There are various listings of nationally acclaimed pet-friendly beaches (such as this one from US News and World Report), or you can utilize a portal like BringFido to find information about beaches near you.
How to Visit Pet-Friendly Beaches
The better prepared you are while traveling with your pet, the more enjoyable the trip will be for everyone. Here are some things to consider when visiting pet-friendly beaches.
Examine the Regulations
Understanding a beach is pet-friendly is one thing; understanding exactly what rules they implement takes some investigation. Looking up laws, particularly for beaches with seasonal or hourly restrictions, will help you plan for your visit. Some beaches may have unexpected policies, such as vaccination requirements or leash length restrictions.
Bring your own supplies.
When traveling with your pet, always bring Fido’s water bowl along with plenty of fresh water.
They need to stay hydrated, especially in hot areas like beaches. If your pet enjoys swimming, you may also require a life jacket, food, an umbrella for your pet(s) toys, and some large towels to dry them off after swimming.
Be Wary of Dangers
There may be possible threats to your pet depending on the beach you visit. Blue-green algae can be dangerous if touched or swallowed, and they typically bloom in pools of standing water such as ponds or lakes.
Your pet may be exposed to parasites such as sand fleas or ticks at the beach, so inspect their fur and bathe them afterward, especially if they prefer to roll around in the sand. Heatstroke, blistering hot sand, harsh currents and waves, plus washed-up sea critters are all potential hazards.
Be Accountable
Beaches can be crowded and hectic, so it’s critical to keep your pet under control. If you intend to let your pet run free, ensure that they are well-behaved among other people and animals, that they return to you when called, and that they understand basic obedience commands. You should also be a responsible pet owner by cleaning up after your pet and following all of the rules.
Here are some items you should bring on “beach day” with Fido.
Dogs like going to the beach just as much (if not more!) as we do. Dogs, like people, enjoy fun and utilitarian beach gear such as water bottles for staying hydrated, beach tents for shade, and amusing toys to play with.
We have done some homework, and we gathered some items you’d need for some dog days at the beach, whether it’s a sand toy or sunscreen to protect sensitive snouts.
- Frisbee for dogs! Pick one that’s made out of nylon with a soft ring.
- A squeaking dog toy.
- Sunscreen – Do dogs require sunscreen?
- Yes! Dogs do require sunscreen, especially if they have lighter skin or sparse fur. Sun protection is beneficial to dogs for the same reasons that it is beneficial to humans. Sunscreen should be FDA-approved and have an SPF of 30 or higher. Look for a non-greasy, long-lasting product.
- A bed with a canopy
- It should be “elevated” in design to allow ventilation underneath when your pet is lying in it. Make sure the unit has a cross bar for stability.
- A large plastic water bowl or a water bottle for your dog.
- Several large towels. There are several microfibre towels that are particularly observant. You might want to look into these.
- A canine life jacket. Certain people may not require one, but certain dogs may. Not all dogs can swim well.
- A spray bottle. After they’ve finished playing in the salt water, you should rinse their bodies and paws.
- An inflatable pool. Why? The wavy sea water may appeal to you, but it may not to your puppy.
- A large umbrella. Your dog, like you, needs to hide from the sun.
- Shacks. Make sure you have some treats on hand for Fido.
Here are some “musts” for your pets on a “beach day.”
Make sure your pet is properly hydrated. We can’t stress enough about keeping your pets hydrated. Staying hydrated in the scorching weather is essential for your dog’s health. The following are symptoms of dehydration and a lack of water in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Appetite loss
- Lethargy
- Sunken pupils
- Excessive panting
- Saliva that has thickened
Dehydration can also be felt in your dog’s skin, which gets more rigid as it dries out. If you pull the skin on your dog’s back and it takes a long time to sag back onto its body, your dog is probably dehydrated.
If your dog exhibits any of the aforementioned symptoms, make sure they have access to cool water. Dogs, like people, absorb water better when they are provided with the required nutrients, particularly salty electrolytes. To help their body recuperate as rapidly as possible, pair a large bowl of cool water with a few nibbles. Vomiting on a regular basis could be a sign of heatstroke and should be treated as a medical emergency. If your dog exhibits many warning signs, take them to the vet right away.
Swimming
A life jacket is usually a smart idea for pups who lack swimming skills—and even for pups who could make an Olympic swim team. While dogs are often enthusiastic about swimming, it can be difficult for humans to tell when they are tired. This is especially true for ocean swimming because of the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous currents.
Sand
If you’ve ever walked barefoot on extremely hot sand, you’ve probably felt an unpleasant burn on the soles of your feet. Protect your dog’s (shoeless!) paw pads with paw ointment or even shoes created specifically for rough ground conditions.
Heatstroke affects dogs.
It can be avoided by taking steps such as keeping your dog hydrated, providing ample shade for cooling off, and monitoring them while they play to ensure they are not overexerting themselves.
Consuming salt water
Keep an eye on your dog and, if possible, try to keep him from drinking too much salt water. Some dogs enjoy the taste of salt water, but too much of it can be hazardous to them.
Words from Bone2Travel
A day at the beach with your family may be a lot of fun. Because our pets can’t communicate, we can sometimes overlook what they require, particularly if we’re having too much fun.