Tips for taking your dog to the beach

We all love a trip to the seaside, dogs included.

If you are lucky enough to live near the sea, or are planning on taking your dog to the beach, here are some tips to make sure you all stay safe and have a great time:

1. Check the tide times before you go
2. Don’t forget poo bags so you can clean up after your dog
3. Make sure your dog has a collar and an ID tag
4. Don’t assume your dog can swim – all dogs have to learn to swim just like us. Some breeds are naturally good strong swimmers, but others are not. If your dog is not used to swimming then the sea is not the place to start, so make sure he doesn’t get out of his depth
5. Drinking salt water – for some reason dogs do drink salt water, but it doesn’t do them any good and can make them vomit, or worse lead to potentially fatal salt poisoning. Ensure you have plenty of fresh water to keep you both hydrated
6. 

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   Keep a look out for seaweed and sea creatures –while exploring the beach you may come across washed up sea life and other items. Keep a close eye on your dog to prevent him from rolling in or eating anything that could make him sick. Some areas also have higher danger of sea creatures like jellyfish, so be sure to keep a close watch on the surrounding waters to keep your pet safe
7. Don’t overdo it – running on sand is more tiring than on grass, so don’t expect your dog to be able to run and play for as long as he might on his normal walk. And start slowly, giving him time to warm up. Remember that sand can be scorching on paws on a hot day
8. Be careful to avoid heat stroke – make sure your dog has a shady area to rest in and watch for signs of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling, coordination problems, vomiting and/or diarrhoea and collapse
9. If your dog suffers from arthritis or other joint conditions limit the amount of time he spends swimming in cold water.  He may think it is great fun at the time, but he will probably be very stiff and sore the following day
10. At the end of the day check your dog over thoroughly for cuts and scrapes, rinse him thoroughly to remove salt and sand from his coat and paws, and dry him to ensure he does not get chilled.