Pooch-perfect summer: 5 beach safety tips for your dog

With the UK already experiencing a blazing hot summer, many Brits will be embarking on a family day out to the beach, with furry friends in tow!

But how can we ensure our dogs are kept safe while enjoying the Great British seaside? Below, experts at Canine Cottages have revealed five dog-friendly tips to enjoy a pawfect day at the beach.

Understand if your dog can swim

While some dogs are natural born swimmers, others aren’t blessed with the ability to swim, so you should never assume that your dog will find their sea legs in the water. It’s important to teach your pooch to swim if they can’t already. Their first instinct will only be to paddle with their front legs, so encourage them to kick with their back legs in the water too by holding their belly just above the water. If they start to panic, then it’s important to take them out the water and try another day! A dog life vest will also help ensure your dog is safe in the water too.

Ensure the water is safe for swimming

The British seaside can be temperamental, and even if it’s a hot sunny day, the sea can still be cold. Don’t take your pooch swimming on a particularly cool day and make sure that your dog doesn’t get too cold in the sea and look out for warning signs, like shaking or shivering. If so, then make sure you get them out as quick as possible. Check out for strong current alerts before swimming too.  You should also check beach flags for warmings before swimming with your pooch. The below guide should help you:

• Red and white probation sign – do not enter the water
• No lifeguards sign – this beach is not lifeguarded. You can still enter the water but do so at your own risk
• Red and yellow sign – lifeguarded area for swimming, bodyboarding and using inflatables
• Black and white sign – area for surfing and using any other non-powered craft. No swimming
• Red flag – danger, do not go into the water
• Orange flag – indicates offshore or strong wind

Find fresh water and hydrate

During summer, you should always ensure your dog is kept hydrated, and especially during a day out at the beach. Keep your dog’s water bowl to the beach and top up regularly with fresh water. And although it’s normal for our dogs to drink a little seawater here and then, it can make our pooches sick, so make sure they’re not swallowing too much when out in the water.

Keep a look out for dangerous items

A lot of dangerous objects can be hidden in the sand at the beach that can hurt our pets, such as glass, rocks, cans, coral or even hooks. It’s a good idea to ensure your dog doesn’t go digging too far in the sand, and check yourself for any dangers before allowing your pooch to explore the area. When in the sea, be wary of uneven surfaces or rocks under the surface that can also hurt your pooch.

Apply sun cream!

Just like humans, our pooches are susceptible to painful sun burn – but many pet owners are unaware of this! Short-hair breeds and dogs with white/light-coloured fur are most at risk of sunburn, and their lips, noses, ears and belly are most vulnerable to the sun. That’s why you should keep your dog in the shade as much as possible, which will also stop them preventing heatstroke. You can also buy pet-friendly sunscreen to take with you too.

Commenting, a spokesperson for Canine Cottages says: “With the UK already recording its hottest temperature ever and more warm days ahead, it’s important to know the right steps to take to keep our dogs safe when on a family day out at the beach. We hope these tips help dog owners take the appropriate care when at the beach, to ensure optimum safety for our furry friends.”

To find out more about teaching your pooch to swim while at the beach, please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/blog/can-all-dogs-swim

Find beaches around the UK that welcome your dog all summer long here.