Is there anything better than seeing your doggo run around freely on the beach, sand kicking up at their furry heels and tails wagging in the wind?
But while beach days are pure joy, they also come with a few sneaky risks, from sunburned noses to salt water tummy aches.
Here’s how to keep your beach buddy safe this summer…
Sun safety for dogs
Dogs can get sunburnt too – especially on their nose, ears, and any thin or light-coloured patches of fur. If you’re planning a long beach day, avoid the hottest hours (usually 10am–2pm) and bring a beach umbrella or pop-up tent so your pup has a shady spot to chill.
✅ Do
Look for pet-safe sunscreen, and re-apply after swimming or towel drying. Petkin have a range of options, including a mist spray as well as sunscreen wipes. Apply all over (especially on ears, nose, muzzle, pink skin areas and entire coat of light coloured or short haired dogs). Shop pet-safe sunscreen at Pet Chemist >
 |  |
❌ Don’t
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your human sunscreen can be used on your dog. Zinc Oxide, a very common ingredient in sunscreen, is toxic to dogs. If ingested it can cause your dog’s red blood cells to explode, resulting in potentially fatal anaemia.
Swim smart
Just because they’ve paddled in the family pool, don’t take for granted that your furry friend can stay afloat in the sea. Even if your pooch is a confident paddler, ocean swimming is a whole different ball game. Waves, rips, and strong currents can be dangerous, and your little water baby can quickly get into trouble.
✅ Do
Start with shallow splashes and always keep a close eye on them. If you’re unsure how strong a swimmer they are, a swimming vest or water collar adds extra safety (and makes them easier to spot among the surf).
You can find some great quality dog life jackets from EzyDog, Anaconda, BCF, and retail stores like Pet Circle.
❌ Don’t
Don’t assume they’re going to be fine. If your doggo enjoys a paddle, you must supervise them at all times.
Salt water
A few cheeky laps of seawater might not seem like much, but drinking salt water can cause dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhoea… sometimes called “beach diarrhoea.” In larger amounts, it can even lead to salt poisoning, which requires urgent vet care.
✅ Do
Take plenty of fresh water with you to the beach. Collapsable water bowls take up barely any room in your bag and can be carried easily. Every 15 minutes, take a break from the water and offer your doggo some fresh water. If they’re disinterested in the fresh water, you can use a squirt bottle to rinse their mouth.
❌ Don’t
Don’t overuse soaked tennis balls or soft toys without rinsing them every so often – the excess salt draws water from the blood into the intestines, causing diarrhoea. If your dog seems lethargic, drools excessively, or vomits after beach time, contact your vet straight away.
Watch for overheating
Dogs can’t regulate their body temperatures through sweating, the same way humans do. They can overheat very quickly and develop heat stroke. Brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breeds, such as French Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Pekinese and Shih Tzus struggle more than other breeds and must be monitored especially closely.
✅ Do
Have a shaded area for them to retreat to when they’re not running around or swimming. If you’re not near any trees, consider a beach umbrella or tent to give them some shelter from the direct sun.
❌ Don’t
Don’t forget to monitor them for signs of heatstroke, including heavy panting, drooling, confusion, and vomiting. If you notice these, move your dog to shade immediately, offer cool (not icy) water, and wet their paws and belly to help them cool down. Check out our advice on how to prevent, spot and treat heat stroke in dogs.
And, don’t assume they’re fine on the hot sand. Hot sand can burn paw pads, so if it’s too hot for your feet, it’s too hot for theirs!
Dog beach safety checklist
Before you hit the sand, make sure you’ve packed everything your pooch needs for a safe and happy beach day:
☑️ Fresh water and a collapsible bowl
☑️ Dog-safe sunscreen
☑️ Beach umbrella or shade tent
☑️ Lead or long line (check leash rules for your beach)
☑️ Dog life jacket (for swimming or strong surf)
☑️ Towels for drying off
☑️ Waste bags for clean-up
☑️ Rinsing water or wipes for paws and fur
☑️ Favourite toy or ball (and rinse it often!)
☑️ Treats and extra patience – it’s a big day of fun!
Are you heading out with your pooch this weekend? We’d love to see! Tag #madpawspack on your Instagram photo and you could appear on the Mad Paws Instagram!
