Beach Bums – Ways to Stay Cool & Clean at the Beach!
It’s that time again – vacation! For those of you who are beach-bound, we’ve organized a list of need-to-know essentials for having the best trip ever.
Safety First
We all love a getaway and the relaxed versions of ourselves we let loose on vacay; but, you know your pup best. If they aren’t super social outside of the beach, it is unlikely they’ll be down to rough-house in the waves with other dogs they just met. This is to say that you should be mindful of your dog’s boundaries and personality because the sand and surf yield a lot of new sounds and smells for them – it can be overwhelming!
So, always keep your dog leashed and practice recall commands to make sure you’re on point.
It also gets hot, hot, hot at the beach! So keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke (excessive panting, trouble breathing, and lack of responsiveness) and have an emergency vet phone number readily accessible. Good ways to cool down your pup are to take cool (not ice-cold) water and pour it on their belly, and if you can get them to drink water that’s always a plus. Heat stroke is rare but its one of the summertime hazards that rears its ugly head in areas where shade is hard to find – like the beach. Being prepared can limit the risk.
Etiquette
The normal rules apply – no potty breaks on the sand unless in a dog-specific zone, no bothering sunbathers, no taking snacks that aren’t yours, and no unsupervised swimming (or any unsupervised activity really).
Beach Bag Essentials
A lot of your products can do double duty – working the same for both you and your pup. However, they might need their own set of snacks and constant reminders to drink lots of water!
Sunscreen – dogs can get sunburns too! Particularly on the nose and ears. The underbelly of those with short hair is also an area that needs application. Make sure to spray them just as you would a kid – after time in the water, and reapply every few hours.
Snacks – your pup is likely burning a lot of energy at the beach between the sights, smells, sounds, and time running or digging in the sand. Encourage them to eat so they take a break from playing and replenish some of their lost calories. If their normal kibble isn’t interesting enough, opt for a fatty treat or spoonful of peanut butter.
Shade – an umbrella works just fine for shelter from the rays and it also provides a people-free zone where your dog can go to relax if it gets a little overwhelmed.
Pack your patience too; after all, the beach is fun! It’s easy to get wrapped up in the chaos and chase a few seagulls now and then.
Beaching – It’s a Breeze!
New adventures can quickly turn into weekend rituals and we hope these tips help you feel prepared and even more confident bringing your furry baby to the beach this summer.
