Beach trips are always fun and memorable, especially with your awesome friend. You both enjoy much-needed exercise, the bright sunshine, the soft sand, and a lot of vitamin sea. Like any other excursion outside, it’s important to pre-prepare and bring everything your pup needs for a stress-free experience.
In this article, we will be discussing some basic questions while bringing your dog or puppy to the beach.
Can you bring a puppy to the beach?
How do you introduce a puppy to the beach?
How do I prepare my dog for the beach?
With that in mind, here are some reminders to keep in mind when planning your next dog-filled weekend at the beach:
Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Beach
You’ll Need to Look for Beaches That Accept Dogs. Before anything else, you’ll need a venue that lets you and your dog enjoy the sun and sand. Check if any beaches in your area allow for dogs to run around.
For example, pet parents in California can check out San Diego, Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, Fort Funston in San Francisco, Rodeo Beach in Sausalito, and the Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara.
If you’re in New York, you can check out Prospect Park Dog Beach, Larchmont Dog Beach, Brighton Beach, and several options in Nassau County like the Nickerson Beach Park.
You’ll Need to Bring a Few Essential Pet Items
Once you’ve found a pet-friendly beach, the next step is to pack your pup’s essentials.
Make sure to bring everything you need to keep your dog comfortable during your trip.
Here are some that you should include in your travel bag:
Hands-free Leashes
Because dogs are naturally curious creatures, expect that your pup will want to explore and enjoy the beach’s massive space.
A hands-free leash is a safe way to let them roam free without straining your own hands.
- HEAVY DUTY - The BAAPET dog leash made with strongest 1/2 inch diameter rock climbing rope and very durable clip hook for you and your dog safe.
- COMFORT PADDED HANDLES - Features soft padded handles for amazing comfortable, just enjoy the feeling walks with your dog and protects your hand from rope burn.
- REFLECTIVE FOR NIGHT SAFETY - Highly reflective threads dog leashes keeps you both safe and visible on your late-evening walks.
- GREAT FOR WALKING, RUNNING OR TRAINNING - This 5 foot length dog leash is a perfect balance between freedom and control, give enough freedom to your dog and everything under your control.
- UPGRADED COVER - Customized hard plastic cover to protect the rope suture part much better, no need glue and not have bad smells like the old rubber rope cover.
And because it wraps around your waist, you can avoid sustaining any serious injuries to your shoulders or back in case your pup suddenly pulls on hard on the leash.
Martingale Dog Collars
If your pooch tends to tug and pull on its leash or slip out of its collar while you’re out in public, you’ll want to invest in personalized martingale dog collars.
Whenever your pup pulls on their leash, this collar is designed to safely tighten around their neck just enough to signal that the pulling is undesirable behavior.
- No Buckle: Martingale dog collars slip easily over the head and tighten gently when pulled, eliminating the need for a buckle; The limited closure ensures the collar won't become too tight, providing gentle control during walks and training sessions
- High-Quality Materials: Made from 100% nylon webbing, this heavy duty dog collar is ribbed, soft, and sleek; handcrafted with rich colors and mirror-like hardware; Nickel plated steel ensures strength, while colorfast dye prevents fading or running.
- Ideal Fit for Every Pup: M Size - 1" Width (15" - 21" Neck) is ideal for medium-sized breeds like Corgis, Pugs, and Dalmatians, our M collar provides a snug and fashionable accessory for pups who want to stand out from the crowd
- Training Collar: This cute collar prevents dogs from slipping out, great for hard-headed pups, puppies, and service dogs; The limited closure prevents it from becoming too tight, ensuring a secure and comfortable experience; Not for tie-out
- Proudly Made in the USA: Our commitment to domestic production means you can trust in the quality and durability of each dog collar, crafted with attention to detail by professionals who understand the importance of your pet's comfort and safety.
This also means that your canine companion won’t be able to escape from its collar. And for pet parents’ peace of mind, these collars will never constrict to the point of harming the pet.
Travel-friendly Food and Water Bowls
Want to easily give your pup food or water while on the beach, but don’t want the hassle of bringing along their big and bulky bowls from home?
Bringingcollapsible travel bowls are a convenient way to keep your pup hydrated and nourished while on the go.
- WATER CAPACITY: Available in 1/2, 1 or 2 1/2 gallon water capacities
- DRINK ANY TIME: This gravity water station allows you to keep your pet hydrated at all times of the day or night
- STURDY CONSTRUCTION: The reservoir is made of durable plastic and locks in place to help from knock over and spills
- HYGIENIC WATER BOWL: The bowl is stainless steel and more hygienic for your pet
- EASY-TO-CLEAN: Disassembles for easy cleaning; stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe
These bowls can fit neatly in your backpack when folded up, and they’re quick and easy to open and fill up with food or water once you’re at your destination.
With these in your bag, your dog is sure to stay well-fed and hydrated, meaning they’ll have all the energy they need to keep playing for hours under the sun.
You’ll Want to Stay in the Shade and Keep Your Pup Hydrated
Just because your pup has fur doesn’t mean they’re completely safe from the harmful rays of the sun.
So, make sure to provide your dog with a shaded area where they can rest and take refuge from the sunlight.
Having a designated shaded area also allows both of you to rest from all the physical activity and simply enjoy the scenery without worrying about getting sunburnt.
To do this, you can prepare a tent, such as a small dog teepee, that your pet can sit in whenever the sun gets too hot and harsh.
To prevent your dehydration of fur baby from, you can also place their collapsible travel water bowl inside the teepee or tent for them to drink from.
Your Dog Shouldn’t Drink Too Much Salt Water
If you plan on letting your dog swim in the ocean, keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t drink any saltwater.
While they’ll likely only experience a stomachache or diarrhea if they ingest a little of it, drinking too much of it can be fatal.
So, bring a floating vest they can wear while paddling around in the sea. This will help keep their head above water and minimize the amount of water they might accidentally swallow while swimming.
In case your dog does end up drinking some saltwater, you can bring low-sodium chicken broth for them to drink. The broth can help them recover faster from an upset tummy.
You can also freeze the broth into popsicles that they can lick and enjoy while lounging around in their dog teepee.
You’ll Need to CleanUp After Your Pet
Because a beach is a public space, you need to do your part in keeping it clean for everyone to use.
This means you must be considerate of all the other guests around you and make sure your pup isn’t causing any trouble or making a mess.
That being said, your dog is bound to do their business on the beach, so don’t forget to bring essential cleaning items like poop bags, a poop bag pouch or holder, and hand sanitizer for fast and easy cleanup.
Having sturdy poop bags on hand will allow you to easily pick up and dispose of your pup’s poop in the beach’s designated garbage area.
You’ll Need to Give Your Dog Extra Sun Protection
If you’re bringing a short-coated breed or a dog whose hair was recently shaved, then you’ll need to apply sunscreen to their skin. Make sure to use a pet-friendly sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.
Don’t forget to apply the sunscreen to their paws, the tip of their nose, and their ears, too. If your dog likes to swim, look for a waterproof sunscreen that’s sure to last for hours.
Apart from shielding your pup’s skin from the rays of the sun, it’s also important to protect your dog’s paws from the hot sand. You can put dog booties on each of their paws to prevent burns to their feet.
It’s also best to let them walk on cooler areas of the beach, such as the sand near the edge of the water.
You’ll Need to Wash Your Dog Off Before You Get Home
Before heading back to your car, you’ll have to rinse off the salt, sand, and other dirt from your dog’s coat.
Not only will this keep your car clean, but it will also ensure that your pooch’s skin is free of irritants such as sand and saltwater.
So, be sure to flush everything out of their fur with dog shampoo and fresh water at the beach’s designated wash area.
Getting enough sunshine and relaxation is essential to both you and your dog’s health, and there’s no better way to do this than spending a day or two together at the beach.
Can I take my 11-week old puppy to the beach?
Typically, it is not advisable to bring your dog for a walk until they are fully vaccinated. Vaccines raise immunity and help protect your dog against vulnerable pet diseases, making them a must for puppies when they go outside. The 2nd set is given around two to four weeks after the 1st when your puppy is around 11-12 weeks old.
Can I take my 3-month-old puppy to the beach?
As long as your puppy is on a leash it’s safe to take them on the beach, but it is advisable to bring them to the beach after 16 weeks) or 4 months of age as they’re fully vaccinated at the time.
Can I take a 15-week puppy to the beach?
No, wait until the 2nd dose of vaccine is given this ensures that your puppy is not vulnerable to fatal diseases. The safe age to bring them outside on leashes 16+weeks
In Summary
For a safe and hassle-free day outdoors, make sure to bring all the things listed above. You can even prepare a checklist on your phone that you can always refer to so that you never forget what to bring.
With these items in your pooch’s go-to bag, you’ll always be ready for your next beach trip with your furry best friend.