How to have happy beach days with your dog

Watching your dog bound along a sandy beach is a joy to behold – the wagging tail, tongue-out grin and woofs of excitement reveal that your canine chum is having a wonderful time. Then there’s the added thrill of jumping in and out of the waves, which, for water-loving canines, has to be one of their favourite games.

However, if you’re taking your dog to the beach this summer, there are some important things to think about.

“Lots of dogs enjoy time at the beach but keeping them safe is a priority,” says Burgess Pet Care’s in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes. “From searching out dog-friendly beaches to checking the weather and tide times and ensuring their vaccinations are up to date, there’s a lot to tick off your dog beach trip list. You’ll also need to take plenty of supplies such as their usual food, treats and water to keep them happy and hydrated so they don’t get tempted to scavenge picnic leftovers or drink seawater.”

To help you and your dog get beach ready, Dogs Trust has teamed up with the RNLI to bring you all the essential safety tips you need when exploring the UK’s beautiful coastline together, which you can check out below.

Travelling with your pets this summer? Here’s what you need to know >>

Planning your trip

• Dog beach safety starts before any paws have even touched sand. When planning a beach trip with your dog, make sure to check the weather beforehand.
• Avoid taking your dog out in high temperatures. Our four-legged friends can’t regulate their body temperature in hot weather the same way we can. Exercising your best pal in temperatures as low as 21C can cause heatstroke which can be fatal, so take extra care.  
• Check that the beach you’re visiting allows dogs. There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches around the UK, but some beaches have a dog-free policy at certain times of the year, or dog-free areas. 

While you’re there

• Check the sand isn’t too hot before taking your best friend on it. Make sure you can stand comfortably barefoot before you let their paws do the same.
• Provide shade and fresh drinking water for your dog all day so they don’t overheat or become dehydrated.
• Avoid sunburn by keeping your dog out of direct sunlight where possible. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed.
• Dogs should never be left alone in cars. You may already be aware of this one, but even a few minutes could prove fatal. On a 22C day, the temperature inside a car can rise by 11 degrees in just 10 minutes. If you see a distressed dog in a car, call 999.
• Dogs shouldn’t drink seawater (no matter how tasty) as it can cause sickness and saltwater poisoning. Make sure your dog isn’t eating anything else they shouldn’t like seaweed or plastic. Call your vet if they do.
• Bring some treats so you can swap unsuitable items your dog picks up for a safe snack.
• After a beach day, rinse any sand and seawater off their coat and paws with tap water to stop it building up and causing irritation.

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Good handling practice and emergencies

• Keep your dog on a lead if you are close to cliff edges or fast-flowing water. This also applies to the beach if your dog hasn’t mastered recall. Long leads will let them explore the beach safely. 
• Check tide times to ensure you and your dog don’t get stranded. Tide times and heights can change quickly, so be alert.
• If your dog goes into the water, over a cliff edge or gets stuck in mud, don’t go after them. Move to a place your dog can reach safely and call them. If you’re worried, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. The RNLI treats pets the same as it does humans and will always help if they can.  

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*MORE TOP TIPS FOR HAPPY BEACH DAYS*

Is your dog a natural swimmer?

While some breeds such as Labradors and Poodles are natural water dogs, some canines find swimming too much like hard work. Dogs with short legs such as Corgis, or flat-faced breeds such as Pugs or French Bulldogs, will likely prefer a gentle paddle in the shallows. It’s essential to always let your dog take to the water at their own pace and never to push them to do anything they don’t want to. If they decide that swimming’s not for them then so be it.

How to teach the doggy paddle

Even dogs with a natural water instinct need to learn how to swim. This should always be done in a positive, fun way. Veterinary charity PDSA recommends following these steps:

• Take it slow and stick to a shallow area at first.
• Use toys and treats to make splashing in the shallows fun for your dog.
• Once your dog is more confident, encourage them out of their depth so they start paddling.
• Use your arm to support them under their stomach until they’ve got the hang of kicking with all four legs.
• After a few minutes, encourage your dog back to the shore so they know how to get out of the water when they’re ready.
• Never leave your pet unattended around water, even if they're a strong swimmer.

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Always be a responsible dog guardian

• Be mindful of other people and don’t let your dog run up and disturb beachgoers who are having a day out to relax. Be courteous and always keep a close eye on your dog – not everyone loves dogs as much as you do!
• If you’re not confident about keeping your dog under control, don’t risk letting them off lead. Regularly practice training them to come back to you when called  until you’ve both nailed it.
• Have plenty of poo bags to hand and dispose of your dog’s droppings responsibly to keep beaches clean for everyone. Have a great beach day!

SOMETHING TASTY FOR EVERY DOG – PREMIUM DOG FOOD WITHOUT THE PREMIUM PRICE! 

Every dog deserves a first-class dinner from puppy to adult and senior. Burgess Pet Care is a British, family-owned company, and all our dog foods are made using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications. We’ve also developed foods to meet the specific nutritional needs of sporting and working dogs, Greyhounds and Lurchers and dogs with sensitivities. 

GOOD TO KNOW 

• COMPLETE NUTRITION Each of the recipes in the Burgess Dog Food range are complete, providing all the nutrients dogs require in the right proportions.
• PORTION CONTROL With dry food, it’s easy to measure out the right-sized portion to help your dog maintain a healthy weight. 
• HEALTHY AND SAFE The thorough cooking process ensures that any harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, and viruses are destroyed, and the dry food stays fresh inside the pack.
• TEETH FRIENDLY Dry dog food has the added benefit of exercising your dog’s chewing muscles and provides a mild cleaning effect on the teeth.
• MADE IN BRITAIN Crafted at Burgess Pet Care’s own factory in the heart of Yorkshire, Burgess Dog Food contains high-quality ingredients that meet stringent specifications, locally sourced wherever possible to support British farmers.

With a whole host of *5-STAR REVIEWS*, our customers have told us:

* “This has really settled my puppy's stomach down as she has such a sensitive tummy... have just ordered more.” * “I’m absolutely over the moon with this dog food. My dogs are so much happier on this food. Thank you.” * “This food has really helped firm up my puppy’s poop!!! Plus, she loves it!!!” * “Very happy, puppy enjoys the kibble and is always excited at mealtimes.” * “Works well for my puppy and has made a great difference to his digestive system.” * My 12-year-old Border Collie, Aston, loves Burgess food. I have tried other kibble, but he has been reluctant to eat it, so I go straight back to Burgess.” * “Our Labrador loves this! It's the only food he doesn't get fed up of”. * “Perfect purchase, delivery and product. Very impressed.” * “Stopped the soft poo and made it much easier to clean up!” *“An excellent dog food, definitely a market-leading brand. My dog thrives on it, no upset stomach ever.” * “A leader amongst dog foods.” *

NEED MORE ADVICE?

If you’re at all unsure about the best way of feeding your dog or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can also call our expert team, available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, on +44 (0)1405 862241 who’ll be happy to help. Alternatively, use our online contact form to get in touch.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for your dog from Burgess, the pet experts >> 

Is your dog a Burgess dog? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.