How to safely take your dog for some sun and surf

Summer is definitely the time of year to head out to the beach. And if you’re planning on bringing your dog with you, there are a few things you should know so that both of you can have a safe and fun time out in the sun.

Know before you go

Obviously, your first mission is to make sure the beach is pet-friendly and to check what rules are in place, like if your dog needs to be kept on a leash.

You should also check on the kind of water at the beach and if there are any alerts in effect for the area. A few things to keep in mind: while salt water can dehydrate your dog if they drink too much, fresh water is more likely to have dangerously high E. coli levels.

Both types of water can have harmful algal blooms, which can be fatal to your dog if ingested either by drinking the water directly or by licking it off of their fur.

Play it cool

A major reason to head to the beach is also one of the major threats for your dog once you’re there: the heat.

Your dog needs a shady spot to cool off in just as much as you do, and make sure they’re making use of it whenever they seem hot (we all know a dog or two that will ignore their own needs in favor of running amok). This is also a great spot for keeping a bowl of clean water ready for them, which can be a great way to entice them into the shade.

That same shade is also helpful for preventing sunburns. Again, pets are just like us in a lot of ways. They can overheat and they can get sunburned just like we do, especially if they have thinner coats, white fur or lighter pigmented skin.

And just like how we always talk about checking the pavement to see if it’s too hot, you should be doing the same with the sand. 

Beach sand lying in direct sunlight can get up to 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than enough to burn both your and your pup’s paws.

Check to see if it’s too hot by holding the back of your hand against the sand for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.

In the end…

Taking your pup to the beach is a great way to get them some exercise and excitement, but the day doesn’t end when you leave the beach.

They say all good things must come to an end, and all trips to the beach must come to a bath for your dog.

Saltwater can damage your dog’s coat, and any sand they picked up can get caught in their fur, causing irritation for their skin.

That way, when they snuggle down for a well-earned nap, they’ll be all clean and sparkly as they rest up for another day of adventure tomorrow.

Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences along with a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.