Most dogs love the feel of damp sand on their paws as they race along the beach in summer, leaping into the waves and chasing a favourite beach ball. All you need is a big dog-friendly beach so there's plenty of room for doggie play without upsetting other people. That's the easy part because Driving with Dogs has listings for hundreds of verified dog-friendly beaches in Scotland, Wales, England, the island of Ireland and France for you to visit with your dog. Just check out these beach basics to give your pooch the very best beach holiday this year.
Can your dog swim? Not all dogs take happily to the water and the sea can be a frightening environment to learn to swim. Instead, start slowly in fresh water and let your pup build confidence and technique well before you hit the beach. Some pet hydrotherapy pools offer swimming lessons and this is a great way to get your pup started.
Get a doggie lifejacket Essential if you're taking pooch with you on a kayak or SUP and also for sea swimming safety. Even strong swimmers like labradors can get caught in a rip tide or dangerous waves. Effi and Gyp have lifejackets from Outward Hound which are hard-wearing.
No salt water Never throw a tennis ball into the sea for your dog to fetch. The ball absorbs salt water and this will drain out into your dog's mouth. Use a rubber or plastic toy instead. Make sure you have plenty of fresh water available for your dog to drink, and never let your dog drink seawater. Salt water causes an almost instant tummy upset that's smelly, impossible to clean up and all round horrible.
Bring dog snacks and dog food When your dog spends all day swimming and charging around on the beach he'll need extra food to keep his energy levels up. This will also reduce the temptation to eat random stuff from the beach.
Check for dangers on the beach Before letting Fido off lead, scan the beach for any obvious dangers to dogs. These include jellyfish, sharp rocks, washed up plastic and dead sea animals, sharp shells, etc. If in doubt, use a long line to keep your dog away from hazards.
Sun screen Dogs with exposed skin can get sun-burn. Our Effi has a very vulnerable patch just above her nose and I pop a Petkin Sunscreen Stick into the backpack to keep her protected during the day. Petkin also do wipes and an aerosol.
Provide shade and quiet space With so much excitement going on dogs need a quiet space for a sleep and protection from the sun just like us. Doggie beach tents are a great idea, or a beach umbrella and dog towel.
Shower off the salt water and sand And at the end of the day, don't forget to rinse the sand and salt off your dog. Sand can cause skin and eye irritations, and salt can cause a digestive upset when licked off by your dog as he grooms himself.
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